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Wells Fargo Funds Trust – ‘N-CSR’ for 7/31/15

On:  Friday, 9/25/15, at 3:03pm ET   ·   Effective:  9/25/15   ·   For:  7/31/15   ·   Accession #:  1193125-15-328961   ·   File #:  811-09253

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  As Of                Filer                Filing    For·On·As Docs:Size              Issuer               Agent

 9/25/15  Wells Fargo Funds Trust           N-CSR       7/31/15    4:9.5M                                   RR Donnelley/FAAllspring Disciplined U.S. Core Fund Administrator Class (EVSYX) — Class A (EVSAX) — Class C (EVSTX) — Institutional Class (EVSIX)Allspring Discovery All Cap Growth Fund Administrator Class (EOMYX) — Class A (EKOAX) — Class B (EKOBX) — Class C (EKOCX) — Class R (EKORX) — Institutional Class (EKONX)Allspring Discovery Large Cap Growth Fund Administrator Class (WECDX) — Class A (STAEX) — Class B (WECBX) — Class C (WECCX) — Institutional Class (WFCIX)Allspring Growth Fund Administrator Class (SGRKX) — Class A (SGRAX) — Class C (WGFCX) — Institutional Class (SGRNX) — Investor Class (SGROX)Allspring Large Cap Core Fund Administrator Class (WFLLX) — Class A (EGOAX) — Class C (EGOCX) — Institutional Class (EGOIX) — Investor Class (WFLNX)Allspring Large Cap Growth Fund Administrator Class (STDFX) — Class A (STAFX) — Class C (STOFX) — Class R (STMFX) — Class R4 (SLGRX) — Class R6 (STFFX) — Institutional Class (STNFX) — Investor Class (STRFX)Allspring Large Co. Value Fund Administrator Class (WWIDX) — Class A (WLCAX) — Class C (WFLVX) — Institutional Class (WLCIX) — Investor Class (SDVIX)Allspring Premier Large Co. Growth Fund 8 Classes/ContractsAllspring Special Large Cap Value Fund Administrator Class (EIVDX) — Class A (EIVAX) — Class B (EIVBX) — Class C (EIVCX) — Class R (EIVTX) — Class R4 (EIVRX) — Class R6 (EIVFX) — Institutional Class (EIVIX)Wells Fargo Capital Growth Fund Administrator Class (WFCDX) — Class A (WFCGX) — Class C (WFCCX) — Class Inv (SLGIX) — Class R4 (WCGRX) — Class R6 (WFCRX) — Institutional Class (WWCIX)

Certified Annual Shareholder Report of a Management Investment Company   —   Form N-CSR
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: N-CSR       Certified Annual Shareholder Report of a            HTML   4.41M 
                          Management Investment Company                          
 2: EX-99.(A)(1)  Code of Ethics                                    HTML    166K 
 4: EX-99.906CERT  Section 906 Certifications                       HTML      8K 
 3: EX-99.CERT  Section 302 Certifications                          HTML     13K 


N-CSR   —   Certified Annual Shareholder Report of a Management Investment Company
Document Table of Contents

Page (sequential) | (alphabetic) Top
 
11st Page   -   Filing Submission
"Table of Contents
"Letter to shareholders
"Performance highlights
"Fund expenses
"Portfolio of investments
"Statement of assets and liabilities
"Statement of operations
"Statement of changes in net assets
"Financial highlights
"Notes to financial statements
"Report of independent registered public accounting firm
"Other information
"List of abbreviations

This is an HTML Document rendered as filed.  [ Alternative Formats ]



  Form N-CSR  
Table of Contents

LOGO

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number: 811-09253

 

 

Wells Fargo Funds Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

525 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

C. David Messman

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

525 Market St., San Francisco, CA 94105

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

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

Date of fiscal year end: July 31

 

 

Registrant is making a filing for 10 of its series:

Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund, Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund, and Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund.

Date of reporting period: July 31, 2015

 

 

 


Table of Contents

ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund

 

LOGO

 

Annual Report

July 31, 2015

 

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Reduce clutter. Save trees.

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

Contents

 

 

 

Letter to shareholders

    2   

Performance highlights

    4   

Fund expenses

    8   

Portfolio of investments

    9   
Financial statements  

Statement of assets and liabilities

    13   

Statement of operations

    14   

Statement of changes in net assets

    15   

Financial highlights

    16   

Notes to financial statements

    23   

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

    28   

Other information

    29   

List of abbreviations

    35   

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of July 31, 2015, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements; the views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE



Table of Contents

 

2   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period

 

 

Dear Valued Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015. Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period (as measured by the S&P 500 Index1). In contrast, many economies and markets elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges.

Positive U.S. economic data but increased tensions abroad led to heightened market volatility in the last five months of 2014.

Following a negative monthly return for July 2014, the S&P 500 Index bounced back in August on a string of positive economic news, led by a 4.2% revised second-quarter 2014 gross domestic product (GDP) reading. The S&P 500 Index gave back some of its August gains in September, however; stock market volatility increased as positive economic data became overshadowed at times by growing discomfort over escalating tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East and slowing growth in Europe and China. Ultimately, U.S. stocks ended the third quarter up slightly overall, buoyed largely by strong corporate earnings and another upward revision of second-quarter GDP growth (to 4.6%).

The fourth quarter of 2014 brought continued improvement in the U.S.; international economies remained challenged. Strong fourth-quarter results by U.S. stocks helped the S&P 500 Index deliver more than 50 record closes in 2014. The last several, in December, were spurred by investor optimism following U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Janet Yellen’s comment that the Fed would be patient in its timing of an interest-rate increase. U.S. stocks also were boosted by positive economic data; November’s 5.8% unemployment rate was down from 7.0% a year earlier, and the number of jobs being added continued to expand. In addition, the U.S. economy’s third-quarter growth rate was revised upward to 5.0% during the quarter, and U.S. companies continued to report strong earnings. The steadily brightening U.S. economy energized consumers, who were further buoyed by much lower prices at the gasoline pump. As the U.S. chugged forward, though, major economies elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges. While Japan eased out of a two-quarter contraction, growth in China continued to slow and Russia’s economy contracted for the first time since 2009. In the eurozone, growth remained sluggish; this situation was exacerbated in December by renewed concerns about Greece after its parliament failed to avert a general election that could jeopardize the country’s financial agreements with its creditors.

In the first quarter of 2015, U.S. large caps delivered positive results but underperformed small- and mid-cap stocks; major markets elsewhere rallied.

U.S. large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks tended to move similarly during the quarter until early March, when results began to diverge by market capitalization. Larger caps slipped that month as investor concern grew over the strengthening U.S. dollar’s potentially negative effect on the profits of large U.S. multinational firms; however, stocks of small and midsize companies, which tend to be less affected by movements in the dollar, performed better. Positive stock results were supported by a gradually improving U.S. economy. The labor market continued to grow, along with personal income and consumer confidence. For U.S. businesses, the quarter’s data were mixed; while many companies reported strong earnings, other data indicated potential weakening in manufacturing. Elsewhere in the world, major markets enjoyed positive returns spurred by accommodative monetary policies from major central banks and signs of improvement in some struggling economies.

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     3   

U.S. large caps experienced challenges during the second quarter of 2015.

The S&P 500 Index fluctuated widely during this quarter, eventually eking out a 0.28% gain for the period. Larger-cap stocks at times were pressured by ongoing investor concerns over the potentially negative effects of financially troubled overseas economies and the strengthening U.S. dollar. The U.S. economy picked up traction during the quarter; consumer spending improved, and positive trends were evident in construction and new-home sales. Jobs growth remained a bright spot as well. Fed officials, who have kept interest rates low while waiting for the U.S. jobs market to sufficiently improve and for inflation to approach their 2% target, made clear that they could take action soon. Throughout the quarter, markets outside the U.S. continued to experience volatility, triggered by uncertainty over the potential impact of financial challenges in other locations—most notably in Greece and Puerto Rico. Questions over slower growth in China caused investor concern as well.

July 2015 brought a bounce-back for U.S. large caps.

U.S. large-cap stocks delivered 2.10% for the month (as measured by the S&P 500 Index). The boost was supported by encouraging U.S. economic data, including positive earnings reports from a range of U.S. companies, increased retail spending by U.S. consumers, and further improvement in the jobs market.

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

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

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

Notice to shareholders

At a meeting held on August 11–12, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change in the name of the Fund whereby the word “Advantage” will be removed from its name, effective December 15, 2015.

 

For current information about your fund investments, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Table of Contents

 

4   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Thomas J. Pence, CFA

Michael T. Smith, CFA

Average annual total returns1 (%) as of July 31, 2015

 

        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
Class A (WFCGX)   7-31-2007     4.62        14.05        5.76        11.00        15.41        6.39        1.21        1.11   
Class C (WFCCX)   7-31-2007     9.15        14.54        5.64        10.15        14.54        5.64        1.96        1.86   
Class R4 (WCGRX)   11-30-2012                          11.35        15.88        6.89        0.93        0.75   
Class R6 (WFCRX)   11-30-2012                          11.54        15.98        6.94        0.78        0.60   
Administrator Class (WFCDX)   6-30-2003                          11.22        15.66        6.70        1.13        0.90   
Institutional Class (WWCIX)   4-8-2005                          11.50        15.98        6.94        0.88        0.65   
Investor Class (SLGIX)   11-3-1997                          10.86        15.33        6.31        1.32        1.17   
Russell 1000® Growth Index4                            16.08        17.75        8.95                 

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

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

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R4, Class R6, Administrator Class, Institutional Class, and Investor Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     5   
Growth of $10,000 investment5 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

 

 

 

1  Historical performance shown for Class A shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Investor Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to Investor Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns would be higher. Historical performance shown for Class C shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Investor Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to Class C shares. Historical performance shown for Class R4 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Institutional Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to Class R4 shares. Historical performance shown for Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Institutional Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to Institutional Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns would be higher.

 

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

 

3  The manager has contractually committed through November 30, 2015, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at the amounts shown. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the cap. Without this cap, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.

 

4  The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5  The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Russell 1000 Growth Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

6  The ten largest holdings, excluding cash and cash equivalents, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

7  Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

* This security was not held in the Fund at the end of the reporting period.


Table of Contents

 

6   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

n   The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index, for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015.

 

n   Results in the Fund’s energy, consumer discretionary, and industrials sectors detracted from performance.

 

n   Strong returns in the health care and consumer staples sectors contributed positively to Fund performance.

The U.S. stock market performed strongly over the 12-month period, responding positively to improving economic data that pointed to continued recovery in the U.S. economy. While other countries, such as China and several eurozone nations, struggled with slowing growth and deflation concerns, the U.S. improved steadily in a wide range of metrics. As a result, investing in the U.S. tended to appear more attractive compared with investing in many other areas of the world.

 

Ten largest holdings6 (%) as of July 31, 2015  

Apple Incorporated

     7.41   

Amazon.com Incorporated

     4.15   

Google Incorporated Class A

     3.45   

Facebook Incorporated Class A

     3.44   

Visa Incorporated Class A

     3.29   

The Walt Disney Company

     2.89   

Celgene Corporation

     2.35   

McGraw Hill Financial Incorporated

     2.14   

The Home Depot Incorporated

     2.13   

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

     2.12   

The Fund’s holdings in the energy, consumer discretionary, and industrials sectors hindered performance relative to the Russell 1000 Growth Index.

Historically, our fundamentally based investment process generally has been challenged during times when stock prices were driven by macroeconomic factors rather than by company-specific fundamentals. This dynamic was apparent over the reporting period within the energy sector, where crude-oil prices and the majority of energy-related stocks experienced extreme price volatility. Our energy stock selection focused primarily on quality U.S. exploration and production (E&P) companies with strong production growth in attractive basins. We invested in producers we believed could grow profitably despite the

 

movements in oil prices. However, the sector’s recent performance left little doubt that investors have been treating many E&P companies as proxies for oil prices; holdings such as Antero Resources Corporation and Pioneer Natural Resources Company detracted from performance, illustrating this extreme volatility. As falling commodity prices led to significant drops in production, energy equipment and service providers were especially hard hit; as a result, both Halliburton Company and Nabors Industries Limited detracted significantly from performance. In recent months, we exited all Fund positions in this sector, including these four companies, given elevated risks within energy. The significant oil-price decline also hurt select holdings in the industrials sector, including Union Pacific Company. U.S. railroads had benefited from a renaissance in energy production and manufacturing in recent years. However, a material slowdown in energy-related industries, general softness in transportation and agriculture, and plunging coal volumes led to declines for some rail stocks.

In the Fund’s consumer discretionary sector, Las Vegas Sands Corporation* detracted significantly over the period. Although the strong gaming market in Macau had been a key growth driver for many gaming stocks, sentiment for the Macau market turned negative in 2014 as China’s government began implementing new regulations. Also, Hong Kong protests led to a rash of Macau hotel-room cancellations during a busy holiday period. While the company reported some better-than-expected results in Macau, we exited the position as negative headlines weighed on the stock.

Solid returns in the health care and consumer staples sectors aided Fund performance

In health care, strength was notable in the innovative biotech industry, where Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Incorporated contributed significantly. The company reported strong sales of EYLEA, its flagship drug for treating macular degeneration, and announced FDA approval of EYLEA for another indication: treatment of diabetic macular edema. Regeneron also benefited from favorable phase-three data for cholesterol drug Alirocumab. Strength from Celgene Corporation boosted the Fund’s biotechnology results as well. Within the consumer staples sector, beer and wine manufacturer Constellation Brands, Incorporated rose sharply over the period, contributing substantially to Fund performance. Constellation’s results reflected a strengthening U.S. consumer and the revenue and cost synergies resulting from the company’s acquisition of Grupo Modelo S.A.B. de C.V.’s U.S. beer business. Constellation remains a true self-help story as the company continues to pay down debt and invest in new products and brand extensions.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     7   
Sector distribution7 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

Recent market dynamics support our confidence in the Fund’s positioning.

While summer brings blue skies and sunshine to most of the country, the forecast for the U.S. stock market may be considerably cloudier; visibility is low, and a number of economic and geopolitical factors may cause storms for investors in coming months. China continues to struggle in its attempt to reaccelerate growth, Japan remains vigilant in its fight against deflation, and Greece’s debt crisis remains a lingering black cloud over global financial markets. Despite the situation in Greece, signs of stabilization have become evident elsewhere in Europe. In Germany, for example, manufacturers have been bolstered by a weak euro, and bund interest rates have spiked upward. We view the global economic picture as hazy at best.

 

 

Given our view, we have centered Fund positioning on firms and industries with a higher level of visibility, choosing to focus on firms we believe could make their own luck. While true secular growth remains scarce, we continue to find opportunities related to the U.S. consumer. Specifically, we have focused on the trend of growth in household formations driven by Millennials, which has created a virtuous cycle of consumer spending. Other consumer-related Fund holdings are focused on travel, health and wellness, and e-commerce. We also see pockets of secular growth in the traditional growth sectors of health care and information technology. Within financials, we have selected holdings that could benefit from improving conditions in commercial real estate. Also, we have maintained a few high-conviction holdings in companies tied to the cyclical U.S. industrials sector.

No one likes getting caught in traffic; at times over the past few years, however, fundamental, bottom-up managers—like us—have felt as if we were. The market has appeared to be moving down the road toward rewarding strong underlying fundamentals, only to be stymied by a macroeconomic or geopolitical event that halts progress. However, we have built a portfolio with a strong engine of secular growth that may perform well when the road opens up. In fact, recently we have seen encouraging signs of traffic clearing: Investors have begun reacting rationally to better-than-expected corporate earnings, and fundamentals seem to matter more now than they did in 2014. Although further delays may lie ahead, we will continue to drive the same as we always have: by building portfolios based on bottom-up, fundamental research; balancing risk and return; and weighting the Fund toward our highest-conviction ideas. We remain confident that our disciplined process has the potential to transport shareholders to their desired destinations.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

8   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Fund expenses (unaudited)

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

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from February 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

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

 

     Beginning
account value
2-1-2015
     Ending
account value
7-31-2015
     Expenses
paid during
the period¹
     Net annualized
expense ratio
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,061.70       $ 5.67         1.11

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,019.29       $ 5.56         1.11

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,057.81       $ 9.49         1.86

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,015.57       $ 9.30         1.86

Class R4

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,063.99       $ 3.84         0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,021.08       $ 3.76         0.75

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,064.30       $ 3.07         0.60

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,021.82       $ 3.01         0.60

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,063.47       $ 4.60         0.90

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,020.33       $ 4.51         0.90

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,064.41       $ 3.33         0.65

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,021.57       $ 3.26         0.65

Investor Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,061.73       $ 5.98         1.17

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,018.99       $ 5.86         1.17

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     9   

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  

Common Stocks: 99.71%

          

Consumer Discretionary: 24.01%

          
Auto Components: 1.05%           

Delphi Automotive plc

          42,397       $ 3,310,358   
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 2.68%           

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Incorporated †

          184,741         4,960,296   

Starbucks Corporation

          59,691         3,457,900   
             8,418,196   
          

 

 

 
Household Durables: 1.73%           

Jarden Corporation †

          98,819         5,435,045   
          

 

 

 
Internet & Catalog Retail: 4.15%           

Amazon.com Incorporated †

          24,313         13,035,415   
          

 

 

 
Media: 5.95%           

Liberty Global plc Class C †

          96,750         4,754,292   

The Walt Disney Company

          75,578         9,069,360   

Time Warner Incorporated

          55,237         4,863,065   
             18,686,717   
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 3.84%           

The Home Depot Incorporated

          57,183         6,692,126   

The TJX Companies Incorporated

          53,060         3,704,649   

ULTA Salon, Cosmetics and Fragrance Incorporated †

          10,150         1,685,205   
             12,081,980   
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 4.61%           

lululemon athletica Incorporated †

          65,454         4,114,438   

Nike Incorporated Class B

          51,157         5,894,310   

Under Armour Incorporated Class A †

          45,012         4,471,042   
             14,479,790   
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 2.87%

          
Beverages: 1.77%           

Constellation Brands Incorporated Class A

          46,484         5,579,010   
          

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing: 1.10%           

Walgreens Boots Alliance Incorporated

          35,750         3,454,523   
          

 

 

 

Financials: 6.79%

          
Capital Markets: 2.05%           

Charles Schwab Corporation

          118,300         4,126,304   

Raymond James Financial Incorporated

          38,967         2,299,053   
             6,425,357   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

10   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Diversified Financial Services: 2.97%           

Intercontinental Exchange Incorporated

          11,495       $ 2,621,320   

McGraw Hill Financial Incorporated

          66,063         6,721,910   
             9,343,230   
          

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development: 1.77%           

CBRE Group Incorporated Class A †

          86,182         3,272,331   

The Howard Hughes Corporation †

          16,848         2,290,654   
             5,562,985   
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 21.24%

          
Biotechnology: 8.82%           

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          15,800         3,119,552   

Biogen Incorporated †

          14,257         4,544,846   

Celgene Corporation †

          56,300         7,389,375   

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

          23,018         2,712,901   

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          10,831         5,996,691   

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          29,233         3,946,455   
             27,709,820   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 1.77%           

Align Technology Incorporated †

          63,550         3,984,585   

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation †

          10,350         1,574,856   
             5,559,441   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 1.51%           

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

          39,100         4,746,740   
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 9.14%           

Allergan plc †

          17,150         5,679,223   

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

          101,538         6,664,954   

Eli Lilly & Company

          32,547         2,750,547   

Endo International plc †

          59,195         5,181,930   

Shire plc ADR

          14,339         3,825,789   

Zoetis Incorporated

          94,419         4,624,643   
             28,727,086   
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 5.31%

          
Airlines: 1.29%           

Delta Air Lines Incorporated

          91,125         4,040,483   
          

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates: 0.98%           

Carlisle Companies Incorporated

          30,550         3,093,493   
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 0.88%           

Ingersoll-Rand plc

          45,176         2,773,806   
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 0.77%           

Old Dominion Freight Line Incorporated †

          33,044         2,417,169   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     11   

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Trading Companies & Distributors: 1.39%           

HD Supply Holdings Incorporated †

          122,225       $ 4,375,655   
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 33.12%

          
Communications Equipment: 1.77%           

Palo Alto Networks Incorporated †

          29,985         5,572,113   
          

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 0.70%           

Cognex Corporation

          48,400         2,191,068   
          

 

 

 
Internet Software & Services: 9.42%           

Akamai Technologies Incorporated †

          69,736         5,349,449   

Facebook Incorporated Class A †

          114,924         10,804,005   

Google Incorporated Class A †

          16,508         10,854,010   

Tencent Holdings Limited ADR

          138,900         2,584,929   
             29,592,393   
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 5.19%           

Alliance Data Systems Corporation †

          9,531         2,621,406   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation Class A †

          53,200         3,356,920   

Visa Incorporated Class A

          137,233         10,339,134   
             16,317,460   
          

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 1.92%           

Avago Technologies Limited

          28,550         3,572,747   

Lam Research Corporation

          31,950         2,455,997   
             6,028,744   
          

 

 

 
Software: 6.71%           

Adobe Systems Incorporated †

          53,500         4,386,465   

Electronic Arts Incorporated †

          53,400         3,820,770   

Salesforce.com Incorporated †

          49,930         3,659,869   

ServiceNow Incorporated †

          32,980         2,654,890   

Splunk Incorporated †

          57,100         3,993,574   

Tableau Software Incorporated Class A †

          24,650         2,581,841   
             21,097,409   
          

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 7.41%           

Apple Incorporated

          191,976         23,286,689   
          

 

 

 

Materials: 3.58%

          
Chemicals: 2.57%           

Axalta Coating Systems Limited †

          142,450         4,531,335   

Platform Specialty Products Corporation †

          152,320         3,544,486   
             8,075,821   
          

 

 

 
Construction Materials: 1.01%           

Vulcan Materials Company

          34,825         3,169,772   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

12   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

      

 

 

Security name                Shares      Value  

Telecommunication Services: 2.79%

                                   
Diversified Telecommunication Services: 1.54%          

Level 3 Communications Incorporated †

         95,604       $ 4,828,002   
         

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services: 1.25%          

SBA Communications Corporation Class A †

         32,547         3,929,074   
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $242,432,994)

            313,344,844   
         

 

 

 
    Yield                      
Short-Term Investments: 1.24%          
Investment Companies: 1.24%          

Wells Fargo Advantage Cash Investment Money Market Fund, Select Class (l)(u)

    0.13        3,887,428         3,887,428   
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $3,887,428)

            3,887,428        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $246,320,422) *     100.95        317,232,272   

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.95        (2,996,363
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 314,235,909   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

(l) The security represents an affiliate of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

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

 

* Cost for federal income tax purposes is $246,902,306 and unrealized gains (losses) consists of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 74,620,041   

Gross unrealized losses

     (4,290,075
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains

   $ 70,329,966   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Statement of assets and liabilities—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     13   
         

Assets

 

Investments

 

In unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $242,432,994)

  $ 313,344,844   

In affiliated securities, at value (cost $3,887,428)

    3,887,428   
 

 

 

 

Total investments, at value (cost $246,320,422)

    317,232,272   

Receivable for investments sold

    3,337,474   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    2,021,035   

Receivable for dividends

    53,327   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    54,124   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    322,698,232   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    6,301,284   

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    1,870,927   

Management fee payable

    143,908   

Distribution fee payable

    2,877   

Administration fees payable

    38,863   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    104,464   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    8,462,323   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 314,235,909   
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $
206,869,771
  

Accumulated net investment loss

    (359,429

Accumulated net realized gains on investments

   
36,813,717
  

Net unrealized gains on investments

    70,911,850   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 314,235,909   
 

 

 

 

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 17,126,397   

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    985,530   

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $17.38   

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $18.44   

Net assets – Class C

  $ 4,212,456   

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    264,629   

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $15.92   

Net assets – Class R4

  $ 15,558   

Share outstanding – Class R41

    828   

Net asset value per share – Class R4

    $18.79   

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 153,009,032   

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    8,107,941   

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $18.87   

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 34,886,310   

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    1,893,254   

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $18.43   

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 22,578,038   

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    1,198,557   

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $18.84   

Net assets – Investor Class

  $ 82,408,118   

Shares outstanding – Investor Class1

    4,790,905   

Net asset value per share – Investor Class

    $17.20   

 

 

1  The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

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


Table of Contents

 

14   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Statement of operations—year ended July 31, 2015
         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $2,412)

  $ 2,444,506   

Securities lending income, net

    31,504   

Income from affiliated securities

    3,962   
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    2,479,972   
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    2,410,943   

Administration fees

 

Class A

    46,137   

Class C

    12,108   

Class R4

    11   

Class R6

    44,980   

Administrator Class

    41,734   

Institutional Class

    35,190   

Investor Class

    282,552   

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    45,107   

Class C

    11,827   

Class R4

    15   

Administrator Class

    101,960   

Investor Class

    220,743   

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    35,481   

Custody and accounting fees

    32,268   

Professional fees

    49,086   

Registration fees

    63,869   

Shareholder report expenses

    36,102   

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,326   

Other fees and expenses

    17,946   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    3,499,385   

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (634,257
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    2,865,128   
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (385,156
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS

 

Net realized gains on investments

    55,955,753   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (17,785,562
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    38,170,191   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 37,785,035   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Statement of changes in net assets   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     15   
    

Year ended

July 31, 2015

   

Year ended

July 31, 2014

 

Operations

       

Net investment loss

    $ (385,156     $ (663,368

Net realized gains on investments

      55,955,753          88,987,193   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      (17,785,562       (1,646,000
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      37,785,035          86,677,825   
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from

       

Net investment income

       

Class A

      0          (22,340

Class R4

      0          (30

Class R6

      0          (188,590

Administrator Class

      0          (150,185

Institutional Class

      0          (1,022,514

Investor Class

      0          (86,333

Net realized gains

       

Class A

      (4,805,732       (1,873,636

Class C

      (1,397,806       (492,729

Class R4

      (3,693       (1,251

Class R6

      (36,912,629       (6,224,341

Administrator Class

      (9,378,628       (6,836,708

Institutional Class

      (12,743,781       (27,083,256

Investor Class

      (24,364,369       (9,335,586
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (89,606,638       (53,317,499
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares          Shares     

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    91,633        1,687,079        123,316        2,574,382   

Class C

    74,996        1,252,857        64,888        1,284,758   

Class R6

    698,773        13,635,803        6,758,171        147,435,533   

Administrator Class

    196,115        3,846,348        387,977        8,509,901   

Institutional Class

    569,045        11,364,181        1,004,161        22,242,288   

Investor Class

    429,740        7,934,159        410,708        8,576,959   
 

 

 

 
      39,720,427          190,623,821   
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    283,053        4,667,546        90,669        1,852,251   

Class C

    78,077        1,185,209        21,836        422,743   

Class R4

    208        3,693        59        1,281   

Class R6

    2,067,934        36,912,629        297,090        6,412,931   

Administrator Class

    533,599        9,316,635        313,298        6,669,291   

Institutional Class

    349,997        6,236,949        1,194,493        25,770,101   

Investor Class

    1,450,130        23,680,615        451,521        9,160,992   
 

 

 

 
      82,003,276          50,289,590   
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (259,975     (4,889,075     (168,093     (3,543,654

Class C

    (118,419     (1,921,172     (94,005     (1,847,699

Class R6

    (985,710     (19,513,578     (731,122     (16,244,245

Administrator Class

    (1,888,744     (41,533,388     (744,267     (16,283,626

Institutional Class

    (1,930,743     (37,357,917     (15,885,091     (344,673,814

Investor Class

    (1,294,319     (23,062,370     (976,512     (20,433,813
 

 

 

 
      (128,277,500       (403,026,851
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (6,553,797       (162,113,440
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (58,375,400       (128,753,114
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      372,611,309          501,364,423   
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 314,235,909        $ 372,611,309   
 

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss

    $ (359,429     $ 0   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

16   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS A   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $21.31        $19.87        $16.74        $16.25        $13.07   

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.07 )1      (0.10 )1      0.00 1,2      (0.05 )1      (0.07 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.09        3.79        3.43        0.54        3.25   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.02        3.69        3.43        0.49        3.18   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        (0.02     0.00        0.00        0.00   

Net realized gains

    (5.95     (2.23     (0.30     0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (5.95     (2.25     (0.30     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $17.38        $21.31        $19.87        $16.74        $16.25   

Total return3

    11.00     19.09     20.85     3.02     24.43

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.27     1.26     1.26     1.21     1.21

Net expenses

    1.11     1.11     1.14     1.20     1.20

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.39 )%      (0.46 )%      0.01     (0.30 )%      (0.48 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    114     94     107     116     116

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $17,126        $18,561        $16,390        $17,784        $20,693   

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Amount is less than $0.005.

 

3  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     17   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS C   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $20.12        $18.98        $16.12        $15.77        $12.77   

Net investment loss

    (0.20 )1      (0.24 )1      (0.13 )1      (0.16 )1      (0.19 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.95        3.61        3.29        0.51        3.19   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.75        3.37        3.16        0.35        3.00   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (5.95     (2.23     (0.30     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.92        $20.12        $18.98        $16.12        $15.77   

Total return2

    10.15     18.21     19.97     2.22     23.49

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    2.02     2.01     2.01     1.96     1.96

Net expenses

    1.86     1.86     1.89     1.95     1.95

Net investment loss

    (1.14 )%      (1.20 )%      (0.73 )%      (1.05 )%      (1.23 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    114     94     107     116     116

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $4,212        $4,628        $4,503        $6,042        $8,272   

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

18   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS R4   2015     2014     20131  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $22.52        $20.83        $18.22   

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.01 )2      (0.02     0.05   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.23        3.99        2.95   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.22        3.97        3.00   

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net investment income

    0.00        (0.05     (0.09

Net realized gains

    (5.95     (2.23     (0.30
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (5.95     (2.28     (0.39

Net asset value, end of period

    $18.79        $22.52        $20.83   

Total return3

    11.35     19.56     16.86

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

     

Gross expenses

    0.91     0.91     0.90

Net expenses

    0.75     0.75     0.75

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.04 )%      (0.10 )%      0.37

Supplemental data

     

Portfolio turnover rate

    114     94     107

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $16        $14        $12   

 

 

 

 

1  For the period from November 30, 2012 (commencement of class operations) to July 31, 2013

 

2  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3  Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     19   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS R6   2015     2014     20131  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $22.56        $20.85        $18.22   

Net investment income

    0.02        0.00 2,3      0.07   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.24        4.00        2.95   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.26        4.00        3.02   

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net investment income

    0.00        (0.06     (0.09

Net realized gains

    (5.95     (2.23     (0.30
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (5.95     (2.29     (0.39

Net asset value, end of period

    $18.87        $22.56        $20.85   

Total return4

    11.54     19.71     16.99

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

     

Gross expenses

    0.79     0.78     0.79

Net expenses

    0.60     0.60     0.60

Net investment income

    0.11     0.01     0.52

Supplemental data

     

Portfolio turnover rate

    114     94     107

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $153,009        $142,754        $58   

 

 

 

 

1  For the period from November 30, 2012 (commencement of class operations) to July 31, 2013

 

2  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3  Amount is less than $0.005 per share.

 

4  Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

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


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20   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $22.22        $20.61        $17.32        $16.77        $13.45   

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.03 )1      (0.05 )1      0.04 1      (0.00 )1,2      (0.03 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.19        3.93        3.55        0.55        3.35   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.16        3.88        3.59        0.55        3.32   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        (0.04     0.00        0.00        0.00   

Net realized gains

    (5.95     (2.23     (0.30     0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (5.95     (2.27     (0.30     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $18.43        $22.22        $20.61        $17.32        $16.77   

Total return

    11.22     19.35     21.15     3.22     24.68

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.11     1.09     1.09     1.05     1.05

Net expenses

    0.90     0.90     0.91     0.94     0.94

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.16 )%      (0.24 )%      0.24     (0.01 )%      (0.21 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    114     94     107     116     116

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $34,886        $67,830        $63,786        $74,529        $372,178   

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Amount is less than $0.005.

 

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


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Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     21   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $22.54        $20.84        $17.56        $16.96        $13.57   

Net investment income

    0.02 1      0.01 1      0.09 1      0.03 1      0.00 1,2 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.23        4.00        3.58        0.57        3.39   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.25        4.01        3.67        0.60        3.39   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        (0.08     (0.09     0.00        0.00   

Net realized gains

    (5.95     (2.23     (0.30     0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (5.95     (2.31     (0.39     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $18.84        $22.54        $20.84        $17.56        $16.96   

Total return

    11.50     19.76     21.42     3.48     25.07

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.84     0.82     0.82     0.78     0.78

Net expenses

    0.65     0.65     0.67     0.70     0.70

Net investment income

    0.09     0.05     0.46     0.21     0.00

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    114     94     107     116     116

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $22,578        $49,816        $331,310        $543,933        $988,633   

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Amount is less than $0.005.

 

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


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22   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INVESTOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $21.17        $19.75        $16.65        $16.18        $13.02   

Net investment loss

    (0.08 )1      (0.11 )1      (0.01 )1      (0.06 )1      (0.08 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.06        3.78        3.41        0.53        3.24   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.98        3.67        3.40        0.47        3.16   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        (0.02     0.00        0.00        0.00   

Net realized gains

    (5.95     (2.23     (0.30     0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (5.95     (2.25     (0.30     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $17.20        $21.17        $19.75        $16.65        $16.18   

Total return

    10.86     19.08     20.78     2.90     24.37

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.33     1.32     1.32     1.28     1.28

Net expenses

    1.17     1.17     1.20     1.27     1.27

Net investment loss

    (0.45 )%      (0.51 )%      (0.06 )%      (0.37 )%      (0.55 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    114     94     107     116     116

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $82,408        $89,008        $85,306        $81,199        $96,941   

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     23   

1. ORGANIZATION

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

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time).

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

Equity securities that are not listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market, but have a public trading market, are valued at the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer that the Management Valuation Team of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”) has determined is an acceptable source.

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

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

Valuations of fair valued securities are compared to the next actual sales price when available, or other appropriate market values, to assess the continued appropriateness of the fair valuation methodologies used. These securities are fair valued on a day-to-day basis, taking into consideration changes to appropriate market information and any significant changes to the inputs considered in the valuation process until there is a readily available price provided on an exchange or by an independent pricing service. Valuations received from an independent pricing service or independent broker-dealer quotes are periodically validated by comparisons to most recent trades and valuations provided by other independent pricing services in addition to the review of prices by the manager and/or subadviser. Unobservable inputs used in determining fair valuations are identified based on the type of security, taking into consideration factors utilized by market participants in valuing the investment, knowledge about the issuer and the current market environment.

Security loans

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Fund continues to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The Fund receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund will be affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In addition, the investment of any cash collateral received may lose all or part of its value. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.


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24   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Notes to financial statements

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). The Securities Lending Fund is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act and is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”). Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser. The Securities Lending Fund seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments. Securities Lending Fund investments are fair valued based upon the amortized cost valuation technique. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund is included in securities lending income on the Statement of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

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

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

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Such distributions are determined in conformity with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Federal and other taxes

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

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

Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under federal income tax regulations. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. At July 31, 2015, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Paid-in capital    Accumulated net
investment loss
   Accumulated net
realized gains
on investments
$(25,975)    $25,727    $248

As of July 31, 2015, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future net realized capital gains in the amount of $1,125,140 expiring in 2016.

As of July 31, 2015, the Fund had a qualified late-year ordinary loss of $359,429 which will be recognized on the first day of the following fiscal year.

Class allocations

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

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     25   

lowest priority to significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

n   Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

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

 

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

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of July 31, 2015:

 

     Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Consumer discretionary

   $ 75,447,501       $ 0       $ 0       $ 75,447,501   

Consumer staples

     9,033,533         0         0         9,033,533   

Financials

     21,331,572         0         0         21,331,572   

Health care

     66,743,087         0         0         66,743,087   

Industrials

     16,700,606         0         0         16,700,606   

Information technology

     104,085,876         0         0         104,085,876   

Materials

     11,245,593         0         0         11,245,593   

Telecommunication services

     8,757,076         0         0         8,757,076   

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     3,887,428         0         0         3,887,428   

Total assets

   $ 317,232,272       $ 0       $ 0       $ 317,232,272   

The Fund recognizes transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period. At July 31, 2015, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the applicable subadviser, providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations, and providing any other fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual management fee starting at 0.70% and declining to 0.505% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. For the period from December 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, Funds Management was entitled to receive an annual fee which started at 0.65% and declined to 0.475% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. From August 1, 2014 through November 30, 2014, Funds Management received an annual advisory fee which started at 0.65% and declined to 0.55% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. In addition, prior to July 1, 2015, fund-level administrative services were provided by Funds Management under a separate administration agreement at an annual fee which started at 0.05% and declined to 0.03% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. For the year ended July 31, 2015,


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26   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Notes to financial statements

the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For financial statement purposes, advisory fees and fund-level administration fees for the year ended July 31, 2015 have been included in management fee on the Statement of Operations.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. WellsCap, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.30% and declining to 0.20% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Administration fees

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

 

     Class-level administration fee  
     Current rate        Rate prior to
July 1, 2015
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21        0.26

Class R4

     0.08           0.08   

Class R6

     0.03           0.03   

Administrator Class

     0.13           0.10   

Institutional Class

     0.13           0.08   

Investor Class

     0.32           0.32   

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. Waiver of fees and/or reimbursement of expenses by Funds Management were made first from fund level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. Funds Management has committed through November 30, 2015 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.11% for Class A shares, 1.86% for Class C shares, 0.75% for Class R4 shares, 0.60% for R6 shares, 0.90% for Administrator Class shares, 0.65% for Institutional Class shares, and 1.17% for Investor Class shares. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

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

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended July 31, 2015, Funds Distributor received $4,174 from the sale of Class A shares.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, Administrator Class, and Investor Class of the Fund is charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. Class R4 shares are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.10% of its average daily net assets.

A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended July 31, 2015 were $385,133,860 and $483,736,486, respectively.


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     27   

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds and certain other funds in the Trust) and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $150,000,000 revolving credit agreement, whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.10% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the Fund paid $515 in commitment fees.

For the year ended July 31, 2015, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended July 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Year ended July 31  
     2015      2014  

Ordinary income

   $
26,099,552
  
   $ 3,990,305   

Long-term capital gain

    
63,507,086
  
   $ 49,327,194   

As of July 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed

long-term

gain

  

Unrealized

gains

  

Late-year

ordinary losses

deferred

  

Capital loss

carryforward

$38,520,741    $70,329,966    $(359,429)    $(1,125,140)

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.


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28   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Report of independent registered public accounting firm

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund (the “Fund”), one of the funds constituting the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, as of July 31, 2015, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of July 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund as of July 31, 2015, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

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Boston, Massachusetts

September 23, 2015


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     29   

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 9.74% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $63,507,086 was designated as long-term capital gain distributions for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $2,850,071 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015, $26,099,552 has been designated as short-term capital gain dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

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

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The complete portfolio holdings for the Fund are publicly available monthly on the Fund’s website (wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com), on a one-month delayed basis. In addition, top ten holdings information (excluding derivative positions) for the Fund is publicly available on the Fund’s website on a monthly, seven-day or more delayed basis. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which is available by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and at regional offices in New York City, at 233 Broadway, and in Chicago, at 175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.


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30   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds, which consists of 133 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Other
directorships during
past five years
William R. Ebsworth
(Born 1957)
  Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director at Fidelity Management and Research Company and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Mr. Ebsworth is an Adjunct Lecturer, Finance, at Babson College and a Chartered Financial Analyst.   Asset Allocation Trust
Jane A. Freeman
(Born 1953)
  Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is a Chartered Financial Analyst (inactive), Chair of Taproot Foundation (non-profit organization) and a Board Member of Ruth Bancroft Garden (non-profit organization).   Asset Allocation Trust
Peter G. Gordon
(Born 1942)
  Trustee, since 1998; Chairman, since 2005   Co-Founder, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser Water Company. Trustee Emeritus, Colby College.   Asset Allocation Trust
Isaiah Harris, Jr.
(Born 1952)
  Trustee, since 2009  

Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy.

Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant.

  CIGNA Corporation; Asset Allocation Trust
Judith M. Johnson
(Born 1949)
 

Trustee, since 2008;

Audit Committee Chairman, since 2008

  Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   Asset Allocation Trust
David F. Larcker
(Born 1950)
  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Morgan Stanley Director of the Center for Leadership Development and Research and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   Asset Allocation Trust
Olivia S. Mitchell
(Born 1953)
  Trustee, since 2006   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   Asset Allocation Trust


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     31   
Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Other
directorships during
past five years
Timothy J. Penny
(Born 1951)
  Trustee, since 1996   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007 and Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   Asset Allocation Trust
Michael S. Scofield
(Born 1943)
  Trustee, since 2010   Served on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 2008-2011 as well the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council from 2006-2011 and the Independent Directors Council Executive Committee from 2008-2011. Chairman of the IDC from 2008-2010. Institutional Investor (Fund Directions) Trustee of Year in 2007. Trustee of the Evergreen Funds complex (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010. Chairman of the Evergreen Funds from 2000-2010. Former Trustee of the Mentor Funds. Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.   Asset Allocation Trust
Donald C. Willeke
(Born 1940)
  Trustee, since 1996   Principal of the law firm of Willeke & Daniels. General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1984 until its consolidation into the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010. Director and Vice Chair of The Tree Trust (non-profit corporation). Director of the American Chestnut Foundation (non-profit corporation).   Asset Allocation Trust

 

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

 

** William R. Ebsworth and Jane A. Freeman each became a Trustee effective January 1, 2015.

Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer    
Karla M. Rabusch
(Born 1959)
  President, since 2003   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2003.    
Jeremy DePalma1
(Born 1974)
  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2007. Head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.    
C. David Messman (Born 1960)   Secretary, since 2000; Chief Legal Officer, since 2003   Senior Vice President and Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2001. Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2013 and Vice President and Managing Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank N.A. from 1996 to 2013.    
Debra Ann Early
(Born 1964)
  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2007   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2007 and Chief Compliance Officer from 2007 to 2014. Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2005 to 2007. Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2004 to 2007 and Senior Audit Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1998 to 2004.    
David Berardi
(Born 1975)
  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Assistant Vice President of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2008. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.    

 

 

1 Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 61 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 72 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

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


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32   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

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

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at an in-person meeting held on May 19-20, 2015 (the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); (ii) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Funds Management; and (iii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Fund’s Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) applicable to Fund-level administrative services. The Advisory Agreement, the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at an in-person meeting in March 2015, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2015. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Funds Management, and the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board noted that the services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement combined the advisory services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Fund-level administrative services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Administration Agreement. The Board received a representation from Funds Management that combining these services would not result in any change to the nature or level of services provided by Funds Management to the Fund.

The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     33   

programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund performance and expenses

The Board considered the performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended March 31, 2015. The Board considered these results in comparison to the performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Lipper is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the performance of the Fund (Administrator Class) was lower than the average performance of the Universe for all periods under review. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index, for all periods under review.

The Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Fund relative to the Universe and benchmark for the periods noted above. The Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance in these periods, including with respect to the market environment that affected the Fund’s performance.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees (which reflect fee waivers, if any, and include advisory, administration and transfer agent fees), custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Lipper to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Lipper reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than or equal to the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups. The Board discussed and accepted Funds Management’s proposal to convert the Investor Class shares into Class A shares. The Board also discussed with Funds Management proposed net operating expense ratio cap increases for R4 Class, R6 Class, Institutional Class, and Administrator Class. After further discussions, the Board accepted operating expense ratio cap increases for the Institutional Class and Administrator Class that were lower than those initially proposed to the Board. In accepting such proposed new net operating expense ratio caps, the Board noted that the Fund’s new net operating expense ratios would still be lower than or equal to the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups. The Board and Funds Management agreed not to increase the net operating expense ratio caps on the R4 Class and R6 Class.

The Board took into account the Fund performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement and approve the Management Agreement.

Investment advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rates that are payable by the Fund to Funds Management for investment advisory services (the “Advisory Agreement Rates”), both on a stand-alone basis and on a combined basis with the Fund’s fund-level and class-level contractual administration fee rates (the “Management Rates”). The Board noted that the Management Rates include transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs. The Board also noted that the fee rate to be paid by the Fund under the Management Agreement will incorporate the advisory fee and Fund-level administration fee previously payable separately by the Fund under the Fund’s Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement with Funds Management. The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rates”).

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Management Rates of the Fund with those of other funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were lower than or in range of the average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total advisory fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. However, given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of the advisory fee between them.


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34   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

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

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable, in light of the services covered by the Advisory Agreements.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of Wells Fargo as a whole, from providing services to the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board also received and considered information concerning the profitability of the Sub-Adviser from providing services to the fund family as a whole, noting that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund was subsumed in the Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

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

Economies of scale

With respect to possible economies of scale, the Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory and management fee structures, and the Fund’s administration fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size. It considered that, for a small fund or a fund that shrinks in size, breakpoints conversely can result in higher fee levels. The Board also considered that fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements and competitive fee rates at the outset are means of sharing potential economies of scale with shareholders of the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board considered Funds Management’s view that any analyses of potential economies of scale in managing a particular fund are inherently limited in light of the joint and common costs and investments that Funds Management incurs across the fund family as a whole.

The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee and expense arrangements, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

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

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

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

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.


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List of abbreviations   Wells Fargo Advantage Capital Growth Fund     35   

The following is a list of common abbreviations for terms and entities that may have appeared in this report.

 

ACA —  ACA Financial Guaranty Corporation
ADR —  American depositary receipt
ADS —  American depositary shares
AGC —  Assured Guaranty Corporation
AGM —  Assured Guaranty Municipal
Ambac —  Ambac Financial Group Incorporated
AMT —  Alternative minimum tax
AUD —  Australian dollar
BAN —  Bond anticipation notes
BHAC —  Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation
BRL —  Brazilian real
CAB —  Capital appreciation bond
CAD —  Canadian dollar
CCAB —  Convertible capital appreciation bond
CDA —  Community Development Authority
CDO —  Collateralized debt obligation
CHF —  Swiss franc
COP —  Colombian peso
CLP —  Chilean peso
DKK —  Danish krone
DRIVER —  Derivative inverse tax-exempt receipts
DW&P —  Department of Water & Power
DWR —  Department of Water Resources
ECFA —  Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority
EDA —  Economic Development Authority
EDFA —  Economic Development Finance Authority
ETF —  Exchange-traded fund
EUR —  Euro
FDIC —  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FFCB —  Federal Farm Credit Banks
FGIC —  Financial Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FHA —  Federal Housing Administration
FHLB —  Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC —  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FICO —  The Financing Corporation
FNMA —  Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA —  Farm Service Agency
GBP —  Great British pound
GDR —  Global depositary receipt
GNMA —  Government National Mortgage Association
GO —  General obligation
HCFR —  Healthcare facilities revenue
HEFA —  Health & Educational Facilities Authority
HEFAR —  Higher education facilities authority revenue
HFA —  Housing Finance Authority
HFFA —  Health Facilities Financing Authority
HKD —  Hong Kong dollar
HUD —  Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUF —  Hungarian forint
IDA —  Industrial Development Authority
IDAG —  Industrial Development Agency
IDR —  Indonesian rupiah
IEP —  Irish pound
JPY —  Japanese yen
KRW —  Republic of Korea won
LIBOR —  London Interbank Offered Rate
LIFER —  Long Inverse Floating Exempt Receipts
LIQ —  Liquidity agreement
LLC —  Limited liability company
LLLP —  Limited liability limited partnership
LLP —  Limited liability partnership
LOC —  Letter of credit
LP —  Limited partnership
MBIA —  Municipal Bond Insurance Association
MFHR —  Multifamily housing revenue
MSTR —  Municipal securities trust receipts
MTN —  Medium-term note
MUD —  Municipal Utility District
MXN —  Mexican peso
MYR —  Malaysian ringgit
National —  National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation
NGN —  Nigerian naira
NOK —  Norwegian krone
NZD —  New Zealand dollar
PCFA —  Pollution Control Financing Authority
PCL —  Public Company Limited
PCR —  Pollution control revenue
PFA —  Public Finance Authority
PFFA —  Public Facilities Financing Authority
PFOTER —  Puttable floating option tax-exempt receipts
plc —  Public limited company
PLN —  Polish zloty
PUTTER —  Puttable tax-exempt receipts
R&D —  Research & development
Radian —  Radian Asset Assurance
RAN —  Revenue anticipation notes
RDA —  Redevelopment Authority
RDFA —  Redevelopment Finance Authority
REIT —  Real estate investment trust
ROC —  Reset option certificates
RON —  Romanian lei
RUB —  Russian ruble
SAVRS —  Select auction variable rate securities
SBA —  Small Business Authority
SDR —  Swedish depositary receipt
SEK —  Swedish krona
SFHR —  Single-family housing revenue
SFMR —  Single-family mortgage revenue
SGD —  Singapore dollar
SPA —  Standby purchase agreement
SPDR —  Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts
SPEAR —   Short Puttable Exempt Adjustable Receipts
STRIPS —  Separate trading of registered interest and
           principal securities
TAN —  Tax anticipation notes
TBA —  To be announced
THB —  Thai baht
TIPS —  Treasury inflation-protected securities
TRAN —  Tax revenue anticipation notes
TRY —  Turkish lira
TTFA —  Transportation Trust Fund Authority
TVA —  Tennessee Valley Authority
ZAR —  South African rand
 


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For more information

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

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

P.O. Box 8266

Boston, MA 02266-8266

Email: wfaf@wellsfargo.com

Website: wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

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

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, provides investment advisory and administrative services for Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. Other affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company provide subadvisory and other services for the Funds. The Funds are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE

© 2015 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

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236190 09-15

A200/AR200 07-15


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Wells Fargo Advantage
Disciplined U.S. Core Fund

 

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Annual Report

July 31, 2015

 

 

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Contents

 

 

 

Letter to shareholders

    2   

Performance highlights

    4   

Fund expenses

    7   

Portfolio of investments

    8   
Financial statements  

Statement of assets and liabilities

    14   

Statement of operations

    15   

Statement of changes in net assets

    16   

Financial highlights

    17   

Notes to financial statements

    21   

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

    26   

Other information

    27   

List of abbreviations

    33   

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of July 31, 2015, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements; the views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE



Table of Contents

 

2   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period

 

 

Dear Valued Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015. Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period (as measured by the S&P 500 Index1). In contrast, many economies and markets elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges.

Positive U.S. economic data but increased tensions abroad led to heightened market volatility in the last five months of 2014.

Following a negative monthly return for July 2014, the S&P 500 Index bounced back in August on a string of positive economic news, led by a 4.2% revised second-quarter 2014 gross domestic product (GDP) reading. The S&P 500 Index gave back some of its August gains in September, however; stock market volatility increased as positive economic data became overshadowed at times by growing discomfort over escalating tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East and slowing growth in Europe and China. Ultimately, U.S. stocks ended the third quarter up slightly overall, buoyed largely by strong corporate earnings and another upward revision of second-quarter GDP growth (to 4.6%).

The fourth quarter of 2014 brought continued improvement in the U.S.; international economies remained challenged. Strong fourth-quarter results by U.S. stocks helped the S&P 500 Index deliver more than 50 record closes in 2014. The last several, in December, were spurred by investor optimism following U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Janet Yellen’s comment that the Fed would be patient in its timing of an interest-rate increase. U.S. stocks also were boosted by positive economic data; November’s 5.8% unemployment rate was down from 7.0% a year earlier, and the number of jobs being added continued to expand. In addition, the U.S. economy’s third-quarter growth rate was revised upward to 5.0% during the quarter, and U.S. companies continued to report strong earnings. The steadily brightening U.S. economy energized consumers, who were further buoyed by much lower prices at the gasoline pump. As the U.S. chugged forward, though, major economies elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges. While Japan eased out of a two-quarter contraction, growth in China continued to slow and Russia’s economy contracted for the first time since 2009. In the eurozone, growth remained sluggish; this situation was exacerbated in December by renewed concerns about Greece after its parliament failed to avert a general election that could jeopardize the country’s financial agreements with its creditors.

In the first quarter of 2015, U.S. large caps delivered positive results but underperformed small- and mid-cap stocks; major markets elsewhere rallied.

U.S. large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks tended to move similarly during the quarter until early March, when results began to diverge by market capitalization. Larger caps slipped that month as investor concern grew over the strengthening U.S. dollar’s potentially negative effect on the profits of large U.S. multinational firms; however, stocks of small and midsize companies, which tend to be less affected by movements in the dollar, performed better. Positive stock results were supported by a gradually improving U.S. economy. The labor market continued to grow, along with personal income and consumer confidence. For U.S. businesses, the quarter’s data were mixed; while many companies reported strong earnings, other data indicated potential weakening in manufacturing. Elsewhere in the world, major markets enjoyed positive returns spurred by accommodative monetary policies from major central banks and signs of improvement in some struggling economies.

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     3   

U.S. large caps experienced challenges during the second quarter of 2015.

The S&P 500 Index fluctuated widely during this quarter, eventually eking out a 0.28% gain for the period. Larger-cap stocks at times were pressured by ongoing investor concerns over the potentially negative effects of financially troubled overseas economies and the strengthening U.S. dollar. The U.S. economy picked up traction during the quarter; consumer spending improved, and positive trends were evident in construction and new-home sales. Jobs growth remained a bright spot as well. Fed officials, who have kept interest rates low while waiting for the U.S. jobs market to sufficiently improve and for inflation to approach their 2% target, made clear that they could take action soon. Throughout the quarter, markets outside the U.S. continued to experience volatility, triggered by uncertainty over the potential impact of financial challenges in other locations—most notably in Greece and Puerto Rico. Questions over slower growth in China caused investor concern as well.

July 2015 brought a bounce-back for U.S. large caps.

U.S. large-cap stocks delivered 2.10% for the month (as measured by the S&P 500 Index). The boost was supported by encouraging U.S. economic data, including positive earnings reports from a range of U.S. companies, increased retail spending by U.S. consumers, and further improvement in the jobs market.

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

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

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

 

We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

Notice to shareholders

At a meeting held on August 11–12, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change in the name of the Fund whereby the word “Advantage” will be removed from its name, effective December 15, 2015.

 

For current information about your fund investments, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Table of Contents

 

4   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Golden Capital Management, LLC

Portfolio manager

Greg Golden, CFA

Average annual total returns1 (%) as of July 31, 2015

 

        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
Class A (EVSAX)   2-28-1990     5.59        15.19        7.27        12.01        16.57        7.90        0.88        0.88   
Class C (EVSTX)   6-30-1999     10.18        15.70        7.10        11.18        15.70        7.10        1.63        1.63   
Administrator Class (EVSYX)   2-21-1995                          12.20        16.77        8.13        0.80        0.74   
Institutional Class (EVSIX)   7-30-2010                          12.55        17.10        8.28        0.55        0.48   
S&P 500 Index4                            11.21        16.24        7.72                 

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

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

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

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

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     5   
Growth of $10,000 investment5 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

 

 

 

 

1  Historical performance shown for Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Administrator Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to Administrator Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns would be higher. Historical performance shown for all classes of the Fund prior to July 19, 2010, is based on the performance of the Fund’s predecessor, Evergreen Enhanced S&P 500 Fund.

 

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

 

3  The manager has contractually committed through November 30, 2015, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at 0.92% for Class A, 1.67% for Class C, 0.74% for Administrator Class, and 0.48% for Institutional Class. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the cap. Without this cap, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

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

 

6  The ten largest holdings, excluding cash and cash equivalents, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

7  Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

* This security was not held in the Fund at the end of the reporting period.


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6   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

n   The Fund (Class A, excluding sales charges) outperformed its benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015.

 

n   The Fund benefited from favorable stock selection in 6 of the 10 economic sectors, led by the energy and financials sectors.

 

n   Weak stock selection in the materials and information technology (IT) sectors detracted from relative performance.

 

Ten largest holdings6 (%) as of July 31, 2015  

Apple Incorporated

     4.42   

Exxon Mobil Corporation

     2.22   

General Electric Company

     1.99   

Pfizer Incorporated

     1.91   

Johnson & Johnson

     1.89   

The Walt Disney Company

     1.84   

Google Incorporated Class A

     1.81   

JPMorgan Chase & Company

     1.73   

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

     1.67   

Citigroup Incorporated

     1.66   

 

Sector distribution7 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

U.S. economic growth improved slowly during the period.

The U.S. economy’s already slow-but-steady pace appeared to slow a bit more over the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015. Many economists and investors attributed the slowdown to transitory factors such as weather. During the period, manufacturing reports indicated modest expansion, retail sales reports reflected growth, the job market remained strong as the unemployment rate gradually improved, and consumer confidence surveys registered high readings. The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) completed its quantitative easing program in October 2014 and has since changed its language to prepare investors for potential interest-rate increases. Economic projections released following the Fed’s June 2015 meeting indicated that although its members had revised downward their overall expectation for growth in U.S. gross domestic product, they still anticipated making one to three increases in the federal funds target interest rate by the end of 2015.

Stock selection in the energy sector provided the top contribution to the Fund’s relative performance; stock selection in the financials sector also delivered strong results.

Within the Fund’s energy sector holdings, the strongest individual contributors included refiners Tesoro Corporation* and Valero Energy Corporation. In the financials sector, insurers American Financial Group, Incorporated, and The Hartford Financial Services Group, Incorporated*, generated solid performances.

 

 

Weak performance by select materials and IT holdings led to underperformance in those sectors.

Within the materials sector, declining commodity prices during the period contributed largely to poor results from Freeport-McMoRan Incorporated* and Alcoa Incorporated*. In the IT sector, semiconductor companies such as Micron Technology, Incorporated, and Intel Corporation struggled as they faced a challenging market environment due to declining PC sales.

We continue to follow an investment process that we believe should add value for our shareholders over time.

Within the Fund, we strive to add value relative to the benchmark through a full market cycle, independent of overall market direction or movements by style (growth or value) or size (large or small). Our investment process will continue to focus on building a stock portfolio that emphasizes attractive valuations, earnings growth, earnings and sales momentum, earnings quality, and trading momentum. Based on our research and experience, we believe the Fund provides shareholders the opportunity for meaningful capital appreciation over time.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

Fund expenses (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     7   

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

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from February 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

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

 

     Beginning
account value
2-1-2015
     Ending
account value
7-31-2015
     Expenses
paid during
the period1
     Net annualized
expense ratio
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,064.05       $ 4.45         0.87

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,020.48       $ 4.36         0.87

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,059.94       $ 8.27         1.62

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,016.76       $ 8.10         1.62

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,064.69       $ 3.74         0.73

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,021.17       $ 3.66         0.73

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,066.76       $ 2.36         0.46

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,022.51       $ 2.31         0.46

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

8   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  

Common Stocks: 99.37%

          

Consumer Discretionary: 13.58%

          
Automobiles: 1.56%           

Ford Motor Company

          283,394       $ 4,202,733   

General Motors Company

          126,509         3,986,299   
     8,189,032   
          

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 0.32%           

H&R Block Incorporated

          51,130         1,702,118   
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 2.42%           

Chipotle Mexican Grill Incorporated †

          6,449         4,786,641   

Darden Restaurants Incorporated

          43,000         3,171,680   

Starbucks Corporation

          81,632         4,728,942   
     12,687,263   
          

 

 

 
Internet & Catalog Retail: 0.56%           

Amazon.com Incorporated †

          2,019         1,082,487   

Expedia Incorporated

          15,192         1,844,916   
     2,927,403   
          

 

 

 
Media: 3.36%           

Comcast Corporation Class A

          128,144         7,997,467   

The Walt Disney Company

          80,515         9,661,800   
     17,659,267   
          

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 1.84%           

Dollar General Corporation

          51,758         4,159,790   

Target Corporation

          67,074         5,490,007   
     9,649,797   
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 3.21%           

Best Buy Company Incorporated

          52,391         1,691,705   

Lowe’s Companies Incorporated

          80,128         5,557,678   

The Home Depot Incorporated

          72,100         8,437,863   

Tractor Supply Company

          12,800         1,184,256   
     16,871,502   
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 0.31%           

Nike Incorporated Class B

          14,293         1,646,839   
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 8.80%

          
Beverages: 1.86%           

Dr Pepper Snapple Group Incorporated

          52,227         4,189,650   

PepsiCo Incorporated

          46,887         4,517,562   

The Coca-Cola Company

          26,076         1,071,202   
             9,778,414   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     9   

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Food & Staples Retailing: 2.89%           

CVS Health Corporation

          67,088       $ 7,545,387   

The Kroger Company

          84,352         3,309,972   

Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated

          60,233         4,335,571   
             15,190,930   
          

 

 

 
Food Products: 1.38%           

Archer Daniels Midland Company

          88,547         4,198,899   

ConAgra Foods Incorporated

          42,406         1,868,408   

Mondelez International Incorporated Class A

          26,251         1,184,708   
             7,252,015   
          

 

 

 
Household Products: 0.88%           

The Clorox Company

          19,518         2,184,845   

The Procter & Gamble Company

          31,854         2,443,202   
             4,628,047   
          

 

 

 
Tobacco: 1.79%           

Altria Group Incorporated

          123,002         6,688,849   

Philip Morris International

          16,116         1,378,401   

Reynolds American Incorporated

          15,437         1,324,340   
             9,391,590   
          

 

 

 

Energy: 6.43%

          
Energy Equipment & Services: 0.62%           

Halliburton Company

          25,000         1,044,750   

National Oilwell Varco Incorporated

          26,239         1,105,449   

Schlumberger Limited

          13,320         1,103,162   
             3,253,361   
          

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 5.81%           

Chevron Corporation

          82,918         7,336,585   

ConocoPhillips Company

          60,003         3,020,551   

Devon Energy Corporation

          23,753         1,173,873   

EQT Corporation

          42,722         3,283,186   

Exxon Mobil Corporation

          147,033         11,646,484   

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

          14,000         982,800   

Valero Energy Corporation

          47,067         3,087,595   
             30,531,074   
          

 

 

 

Financials: 16.00%

          
Banks: 5.42%           

Bank of America Corporation

          250,478         4,478,547   

Citigroup Incorporated

          149,471         8,738,075   

Huntington Bancshares Incorporated

          136,137         1,588,719   

JPMorgan Chase & Company

          132,678         9,092,423   

Regions Financial Corporation

          150,000         1,558,500   

SunTrust Banks Incorporated

          67,872         3,009,444   
             28,465,708   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

10   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Capital Markets: 2.58%           

Ameriprise Financial Incorporated

          16,404       $ 2,061,491   

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

          29,555         6,060,844   

Morgan Stanley

          140,144         5,443,193   
             13,565,528   
          

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 0.35%           

Capital One Financial Corporation

          22,872         1,859,494   
          

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 0.98%           

Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated Class B †

          35,972         5,134,643   
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 2.23%           

ACE Limited

          18,493         2,011,484   

American Financial Group Incorporated

          23,231         1,601,777   

American International Group Incorporated

          54,669         3,505,376   

MetLife Incorporated

          19,000         1,059,060   

The Allstate Corporation

          15,500         1,068,725   

The Progressive Corporation

          38,500         1,174,250   

The Travelers Companies Incorporated

          12,463         1,322,574   
             11,743,246   
          

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development: 0.77%           

CBRE Group Incorporated Class A †

          106,017         4,025,465   
          

 

 

 
REITs: 3.67%           

American Tower Corporation

          44,202         4,204,052   

Crown Castle International Corporation

          38,928         3,188,592   

General Growth Properties Incorporated

          104,232         2,828,856   

Host Hotels & Resorts Incorporated

          201,996         3,914,682   

Simon Property Group Incorporated

          27,353         5,121,029   
             19,257,211   
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 16.39%

          
Biotechnology: 3.48%           

Amgen Incorporated

          43,583         7,696,322   

Biogen Idec Incorporated †

          5,651         1,801,426   

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

          74,480         8,778,213   
             18,275,961   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 2.16%           

DexCom Incorporated †

          53,885         4,561,365   

Medtronic plc

          86,441         6,776,110   
             11,337,475   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 4.06%           

Aetna Incorporated

          31,971         3,611,764   

Cigna Corporation

          10,000         1,440,600   

HCA Holdings Incorporated †

          13,126         1,220,849   

Humana Incorporated

          7,611         1,385,887   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     11   

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Health Care Providers & Services (continued)           

McKesson Corporation

          23,105       $ 5,096,270   

Patterson Companies Incorporated

          33,319         1,671,281   

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

          56,867         6,903,654   
             21,330,305   
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 6.69%           

AbbVie Incorporated

          89,655         6,276,747   

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

          40,828         2,679,950   

Eli Lilly & Company

          29,282         2,474,622   

Johnson & Johnson

          99,146         9,935,421   

Merck & Company Incorporated

          63,551         3,746,967   

Pfizer Incorporated

          278,698         10,049,850   
             35,163,557   
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 9.35%

          
Aerospace & Defense: 3.16%           

General Dynamics Corporation

          35,647         5,315,324   

Lockheed Martin Corporation

          26,308         5,448,387   

The Boeing Company

          40,558         5,847,247   
             16,610,958   
          

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics: 0.30%           

Expeditors International of Washington Incorporated

          33,213         1,556,693   
          

 

 

 
Airlines: 0.69%           

Southwest Airlines Company

          99,837         3,614,099   
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 0.62%           

RR Donnelley & Sons Company «

          100,102         1,756,790   

Waste Management Incorporated

          29,058         1,485,736   
             3,242,526   
          

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates: 2.29%           

3M Company

          10,154         1,536,706   

General Electric Company

          401,206         10,471,477   
             12,008,183   
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 0.83%           

Caterpillar Incorporated

          55,497         4,363,729   
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 1.46%           

CSX Corporation

          64,554         2,019,249   

Union Pacific Corporation

          58,097         5,669,686   
             7,688,935   
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 19.94%

          
Communications Equipment: 2.07%           

Cisco Systems Incorporated

          256,682         7,294,902   

F5 Networks Incorporated †

          18,233         2,445,775   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

12   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Communications Equipment (continued)           

Harris Corporation

          13,500       $ 1,119,690   
             10,860,367   
          

 

 

 
Internet Software & Services: 4.21%           

Facebook Incorporated Class A †

          66,335         6,236,153   

Google Incorporated Class A †

          14,448         9,499,560   

Google Incorporated Class C †

          10,206         6,384,976   
             22,120,689   
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 2.26%           

Accenture plc Class A

          11,106         1,145,140   

Computer Sciences Corporation

          16,155         1,057,022   

International Business Machines Corporation

          14,038         2,274,016   

Paychex Incorporated

          30,174         1,400,074   

The Western Union Company

          134,761         2,727,563   

Xerox Corporation

          295,044         3,251,385   
             11,855,200   
          

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 3.20%           

Avago Technologies Limited

          33,500         4,192,190   

Intel Corporation

          219,548         6,355,915   

Linear Technology Corporation

          24,000         984,000   

Micron Technology Incorporated †

          185,075         3,425,738   

Skyworks Solutions Incorporated

          19,635         1,878,480   
             16,836,323   
          

 

 

 
Software: 3.50%           

CA Incorporated

          63,113         1,838,797   

Electronic Arts Incorporated †

          60,596         4,335,644   

Intuit Incorporated

          40,193         4,251,214   

Microsoft Corporation

          170,488         7,961,790   
             18,387,445   
          

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 4.70%           

Apple Incorporated

          191,316         23,206,631   

EMC Corporation

          54,603         1,468,275   
             24,674,906   
          

 

 

 

Materials: 2.54%

          
Chemicals: 2.21%           

LyondellBasell Industries NV Class A

          44,821         4,205,554   

The Dow Chemical Company

          99,948         4,703,553   

The Mosaic Company

          35,222         1,512,433   

The Sherwin-Williams Company

          4,185         1,162,426   
             11,583,966   
          

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 0.33%           

Avery Dennison Corporation

          28,715         1,747,308   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     13   

      

 

 

Security name              Shares      Value  

Telecommunication Services: 2.72%

         
Diversified Telecommunication Services: 2.72%          

AT&T Incorporated

         204,585       $ 7,107,283   

CenturyLink Incorporated

         44,425         1,270,555   

Verizon Communications Incorporated

         126,275         5,908,407   
            14,286,245   
         

 

 

 

Utilities: 3.62%

         
Electric Utilities: 1.74%          

American Electric Power Company Incorporated

         18,000         1,018,260   

Edison International

         68,453         4,107,865   

Entergy Corporation

         56,285         3,997,361   
            9,123,486   
         

 

 

 
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers: 0.19%          

AES Corporation

         79,000         1,011,200   
         

 

 

 
Multi-Utilities: 1.69%          

CMS Energy Corporation

         79,247         2,715,002   

DTE Energy Company

         14,000         1,126,440   

PG&E Corporation

         30,693         1,611,689   

Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated

         82,385         3,432,982   
            8,886,113   
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $372,470,402)

            521,975,616   
         

 

 

 
    Yield                    
Short-Term Investments: 0.74%          
Investment Companies: 0.74%          

Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (l)(r)(u)

    0.14        1,020,625         1,020,625   

Wells Fargo Advantage Cash Investment Money Market Fund, Select Class (l)(u)

    0.13           2,853,830         2,853,830   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $3,874,455)

            3,874,455   
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $376,344,857) *     100.11        525,850,071   

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.11        (601,430
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 525,248,641   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

« All or a portion of this security is on loan.

 

(l) The security represents an affiliate of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

(r) The investment is a non-registered investment vehicle purchased with cash collateral received from securities on loan.

 

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

 

* Cost for federal income tax purposes is $377,346,672 and unrealized gains (losses) consists of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 158,750,296   

Gross unrealized losses

     (10,246,897
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains

   $ 148,503,399   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

14   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Statement of assets and liabilities—July 31, 2015
         

Assets

 

Investments

 

In unaffiliated securities (including $1,009,125 of securities loaned), at value (cost $372,470,402)

  $ 521,975,616   

In affiliated securities, at value (cost $3,874,455)

    3,874,455   
 

 

 

 

Total investments, at value (cost $376,344,857)

    525,850,071   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    438,118   

Receivable for dividends

    541,343   

Receivable for securities lending income

    404   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    112,271   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    526,942,207   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    135,370   

Payable upon receipt of securities loaned

    1,020,625   

Management fee payable

    165,023   

Distribution fee payable

    11,983   

Administration fees payable

    86,766   

Shareholder servicing fees payable

    93,303   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    180,496   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    1,693,566   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 525,248,641   
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 319,724,542   

Undistributed net investment income

    7,431,071   

Accumulated net realized gains on investments

    48,587,814   

Net unrealized gains on investments

    149,505,214   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 525,248,641   
 

 

 

 

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 331,123,346   

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    21,429,656   

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $15.45   

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $16.39   

Net assets – Class C

  $ 20,679,898   

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    1,425,939   

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $14.50   

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 63,544,341   

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    4,020,575   

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $15.80   

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 109,901,056   

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    7,019,392   

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $15.66   

 

 

1  The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Statement of operations—year ended July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     15   
         

Investment income

 

Dividends

  $ 11,554,924   

Securities lending income, net

    30,057   

Income from affiliated securities

    5,390   
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    11,590,371   
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    1,755,555   

Administration fees

 

Class A

    830,779   

Class C

    40,663   

Administrator Class

    57,736   

Institutional Class

    88,430   

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    813,146   

Class C

    39,982   

Administrator Class

    140,065   

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    119,945   

Custody and accounting fees

    26,029   

Professional fees

    44,092   

Registration fees

    27,912   

Shareholder report expenses

    42,884   

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    8,331   

Other fees and expenses

    19,219   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    4,054,768   

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (2,432
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    4,052,336   
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    7,538,035   
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS

 

Net realized gains on investments

    49,570,546   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (1,189,230
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    48,381,316   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 55,919,351   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

16   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Statement of changes in net assets
     Year ended
July 31, 2015
    Year ended
July 31, 2014
 

Operations

     

Net investment income

    $ 7,538,035        $ 5,821,768   

Net realized gains on investments

      49,570,546          71,674,199   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      (1,189,230       (9,441,808
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      55,919,351          68,054,159   
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net investment income

       

Class A

      (3,522,119       (4,752,589

Class C

      (84,291       (97,722

Administrator Class

      (647,073       (634,126

Institutional Class

      (1,537,330       (1,401,931

Net realized gains

       

Class A

      (46,161,619       (38,995,790

Class C

      (2,082,924       (1,394,806

Administrator Class

      (7,515,200       (6,776,357

Institutional Class

      (15,983,371       (9,948,253
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (77,533,927       (64,001,574
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares          Shares     

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    2,148,617        33,269,672        678,932        10,775,202   

Class C

    823,111        12,057,914        94,568        1,412,231   

Administrator Class

    1,319,355        20,847,005        242,716        3,925,319   

Institutional Class

    3,114,670        50,079,007        6,582,647        106,283,524   
 

 

 

 
      116,253,598          122,396,276   
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    3,224,975        47,843,154        2,774,700        42,042,332   

Class C

    105,097        1,464,972        73,060        1,051,887   

Administrator Class

    491,872        7,465,466        399,637        6,149,295   

Institutional Class

    561,645        8,449,624        96,268        1,480,716   
 

 

 

 
      65,223,216          50,724,230   
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (2,705,765     (42,183,445     (2,255,673     (35,863,720

Class C

    (207,673     (3,079,680     (74,785     (1,139,432

Administrator Class

    (832,349     (13,437,852     (5,335,919     (86,377,733

Institutional Class

    (2,190,447     (34,044,476     (1,259,512     (20,243,867
 

 

 

 
      (92,745,453       (143,624,752
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      88,731,361          29,495,754   
 

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

      67,116,785          33,548,339   
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

      458,131,856          424,583,517   
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 525,248,641        $ 458,131,856   
 

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income

    $ 7,431,071        $ 5,730,025   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     17   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS A   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $16.29        $16.27        $14.65        $14.25        $11.93   

Net investment income

    0.21        0.19        0.24        0.20        0.16   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.60        2.35        3.25        0.93        2.17   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.81        2.54        3.49        1.13        2.33   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.16     (0.24     (0.24     (0.23     (0.01

Net realized gains

    (2.49     (2.28     (1.63     (0.50     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2.65     (2.52     (1.87     (0.73     (0.01

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.45        $16.29        $16.27        $14.65        $14.25   

Total return1

    12.01     17.00     26.62     8.54     19.50

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.89     0.93     0.94     0.92     0.93

Net expenses

    0.89     0.92     0.92     0.92     0.92

Net investment income

    1.43     1.27     1.66     1.43     1.18

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    53     71     64     82     64

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $331,123        $305,577        $285,780        $254,272        $268,460   

 

 

1  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

18   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS C   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $15.47        $15.58        $14.10        $13.69        $11.54   

Net investment income

    0.13        0.08        0.12        0.09        0.05   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.48        2.23        3.12        0.90        2.10   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.61        2.31        3.24        0.99        2.15   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.09     (0.14     (0.13     (0.08     0.00   

Net realized gains

    (2.49     (2.28     (1.63     (0.50     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2.58     (2.42     (1.76     (0.58     0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.50        $15.47        $15.58        $14.10        $13.69   

Total return1

    11.18     16.10     25.65     7.75     18.63

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.64     1.68     1.69     1.67     1.68

Net expenses

    1.64     1.67     1.67     1.67     1.67

Net investment income

    0.66     0.51     0.92     0.68     0.44

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    53     71     64     82     64

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $20,680        $10,913        $9,544        $8,590        $8,768   

 

 

1  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     19   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $16.60        $16.47        $14.79        $14.36        $11.99   

Net investment income

    0.25 1      0.25 1      0.28 1      0.23 1      0.19 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.63        2.35        3.27        0.93        2.19   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.88        2.60        3.55        1.16        2.38   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.19     (0.19     (0.24     (0.23     (0.01

Net realized gains

    (2.49     (2.28     (1.63     (0.50     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2.68     (2.47     (1.87     (0.73     (0.01

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.80        $16.60        $16.47        $14.79        $14.36   

Total return

    12.20     17.12     26.82     8.72     19.84

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.74     0.76     0.78     0.75     0.77

Net expenses

    0.73     0.74     0.74     0.74     0.74

Net investment income

    1.58     1.56     1.87     1.63     1.37

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    53     71     64     82     64

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $63,544        $50,498        $127,384        $150,408        $244,716   

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


Table of Contents

 

20   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $16.47        $16.43        $14.78        $14.39        $11.99   

Net investment income

    0.30        0.26 1      0.35        0.26 1      0.22   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.61        2.37        3.23        0.93        2.19   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.91        2.63        3.58        1.19        2.41   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.23     (0.31     (0.30     (0.30     (0.01

Net realized gains

    (2.49     (2.28     (1.63     (0.50     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2.72     (2.59     (1.93     (0.80     (0.01

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.66        $16.47        $16.43        $14.78        $14.39   

Total return

    12.55     17.48     27.16     9.02     20.10

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.47     0.50     0.51     0.49     0.51

Net expenses

    0.47     0.48     0.48     0.48     0.47

Net investment income

    1.86     1.63     2.08     1.80     1.62

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    53     71     64     82     64

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $109,901        $91,144        $1,875        $1,215        $12   

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     21   

1. ORGANIZATION

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

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time).

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

Equity securities that are not listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market, but have a public trading market, are valued at the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer that the Management Valuation Team of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”) has determined is an acceptable source.

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

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

Valuations of fair valued securities are compared to the next actual sales price when available, or other appropriate market values, to assess the continued appropriateness of the fair valuation methodologies used. These securities are fair valued on a day-to-day basis, taking into consideration changes to appropriate market information and any significant changes to the inputs considered in the valuation process until there is a readily available price provided on an exchange or by an independent pricing service. Valuations received from an independent pricing service or independent broker-dealer quotes are periodically validated by comparisons to most recent trades and valuations provided by other independent pricing services in addition to the review of prices by the manager and/or subadviser. Unobservable inputs used in determining fair valuations are identified based on the type of security, taking into consideration factors utilized by market participants in valuing the investment, knowledge about the issuer and the current market environment.

Security loans

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Fund continues to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The Fund receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund will be affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. In the event of default or bankruptcy


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22   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Notes to financial statements

by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In addition, the investment of any cash collateral received may lose all or part of its value. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). The Securities Lending Fund is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act and is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”). Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser. The Securities Lending Fund seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments. Securities Lending Fund investments are fair valued based upon the amortized cost valuation technique. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund is included in securities lending income on the Statement of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

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

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Such distributions are determined in conformity with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Federal and other taxes

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

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

Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under federal income tax regulations. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. At July 31, 2015, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Undistributed net

investment income

  

Accumulated net

realized gains

on investments

$(46,176)    $46,176

Class allocations

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

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     23   

lowest priority to significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

n   Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

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

 

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

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of July 31, 2015:

 

     Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Consumer discretionary

   $ 71,333,221       $ 0       $ 0       $ 71,333,221   

Consumer staples

     46,240,996         0         0         46,240,996   

Energy

     33,784,435         0         0         33,784,435   

Financials

     84,051,295         0         0         84,051,295   

Health care

     86,107,298         0         0         86,107,298   

Industrials

     49,085,123         0         0         49,085,123   

Information technology

     104,734,930         0         0         104,734,930   

Materials

     13,331,274         0         0         13,331,274   

Telecommunication services

     14,286,245         0         0         14,286,245   

Utilities

     19,020,799         0         0         19,020,799   

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     2,853,830         1,020,625         0         3,874,455   

Total assets

   $ 524,829,446       $ 1,020,625       $ 0       $ 525,850,071   

The Fund recognizes transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period. At July 31, 2015, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the applicable subadviser, providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations, and providing any other fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual management fee starting at 0.35% and declining to 0.28% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services pursuant to an investment advisory agreement and was entitled to receive an annual fee which started at 0.30% and declined to 0.25% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. In addition, prior to July 1, 2015, fund-level administrative services were provided by Funds Management under a separate administration agreement at an annual fee which started at 0.05% and declined to 0.03% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.35% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For financial statement purposes, advisory fees and fund-level administration fees for the year ended July 31, 2015 have been included in management fee on the Statement of Operations.


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24   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Notes to financial statements

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Golden Capital Management, LLC, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.25% and declining to 0.15% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Administration fees

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

 

     Class-level administration fee  
     Current rate       

Rate prior to

July 1, 2015

 

Class A, Class C

     0.21        0.26

Administrator Class

     0.13           0.10   

Institutional Class

     0.13           0.08   

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed advisory and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. Waiver of fees and/or reimbursement of expenses by Funds Management were made first from fund level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. Funds Management has committed through November 30, 2015 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 0.92% for Class A shares, 1.67% for Class C shares, 0.74% for Administrator Class shares, and 0.48% for Institutional Class shares. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

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

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class B and Class C shares. For the year ended July 31, 2015, Funds Distributor received $26,255 from the sale of Class A shares and $657 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund is charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class.

A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended July 31, 2015 were $289,038,875 and $259,232,452, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds and certain other funds in the Trust) and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $150,000,000 revolving credit agreement, whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.10% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the Fund paid $719 in commitment fees.


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     25   

For the year ended July 31, 2015, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended July 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Year ended July 31  
     2015      2014  

Ordinary income

   $ 19,437,900       $ 20,207,742   

Long-term capital gain

     58,096,027         43,793,832   

As of July 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
ordinary
income
   Undistributed
long-term
gain
   Unrealized
gains
$14,963,573    $42,110,625    $148,503,399

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.


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26   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Report of independent registered public accounting firm

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund (the “Fund”), one of the funds constituting the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, as of July 31, 2015, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of July 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund as of July 31, 2015, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

September 23, 2015


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     27   

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 43.10% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $58,096,027 was designated as long-term capital gain distributions for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $8,603,340 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015, $13,647,087 has been designated as short-term capital gain dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The complete portfolio holdings for the Fund are publicly available monthly on the Fund’s website (wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com), on a one-month delayed basis. In addition, top ten holdings information (excluding derivative positions) for the Fund is publicly available on the Fund’s website on a monthly, seven-day or more delayed basis. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which is available by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and at regional offices in New York City, at 233 Broadway, and in Chicago, at 175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

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


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28   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Other information (unaudited)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds, which consists of 133 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Other
directorships during
past five years
William R. Ebsworth
(Born 1957)
  Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director at Fidelity Management and Research Company and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Mr. Ebsworth is an Adjunct Lecturer, Finance, at Babson College and a Chartered Financial Analyst.   Asset Allocation Trust
Jane A. Freeman
(Born 1953)
  Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is a Chartered Financial Analyst (inactive), Chair of Taproot Foundation (non-profit organization) and a Board Member of Ruth Bancroft Garden (non-profit organization).   Asset Allocation Trust
Peter G. Gordon
(Born 1942)
  Trustee, since 1998; Chairman, since 2005   Co-Founder, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser Water Company. Trustee Emeritus, Colby College.   Asset Allocation Trust
Isaiah Harris, Jr.
(Born 1952)
  Trustee, since 2009   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy. Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant.   CIGNA Corporation; Asset Allocation Trust
Judith M. Johnson
(Born 1949)
  Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   Asset Allocation Trust
David F. Larcker
(Born 1950)
  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Morgan Stanley Director of the Center for Leadership Development and Research and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   Asset Allocation Trust


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     29   
Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Other
directorships during
past five years
Olivia S. Mitchell
(Born 1953)
  Trustee, since 2006   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   Asset Allocation Trust
Timothy J. Penny
(Born 1951)
  Trustee, since 1996   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007 and Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   Asset Allocation Trust
Michael S. Scofield
(Born 1943)
  Trustee, since 2010   Served on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 2008-2011 as well the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council from 2006-2011 and the Independent Directors Council Executive Committee from 2008-2011. Chairman of the IDC from 2008-2010. Institutional Investor (Fund Directions) Trustee of Year in 2007. Trustee of the Evergreen Funds complex (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010. Chairman of the Evergreen Funds from 2000-2010. Former Trustee of the Mentor Funds. Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.   Asset Allocation Trust
Donald C. Willeke
(Born 1940)
  Trustee, since 1996   Principal of the law firm of Willeke & Daniels. General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1984 until its consolidation into the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010. Director and Vice Chair of The Tree Trust (non-profit corporation). Director of the American Chestnut Foundation (non-profit corporation).   Asset Allocation Trust

 

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

 

** William R. Ebsworth and Jane A. Freeman each became a Trustee effective January 1, 2015.

Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer    
Karla M. Rabusch
(Born 1959)
  President, since 2003   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2003.    
Jeremy DePalma1
(Born 1974)
  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2007. Head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.    
C. David Messman
(Born 1960)
  Secretary, since 2000; Chief Legal Officer, since 2003   Senior Vice President and Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2001. Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2013 and Vice President and Managing Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank N.A. from 1996 to 2013.    
Debra Ann Early
(Born 1964)
  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2007   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2007 and Chief Compliance Officer from 2007 to 2014. Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2005 to 2007. Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2004 to 2007 and Senior Audit Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1998 to 2004.    
David Berardi
(Born 1975)
  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Assistant Vice President of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2008. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.    

 

 

1 Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 61 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 72 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

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


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30   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Other information (unaudited)

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

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at an in-person meeting held on May 19-20, 2015 (the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); (ii) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Funds Management; and (iii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Golden Capital Management, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Fund’s Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) applicable to Fund-level administrative services. The Advisory Agreement, the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at an in-person meeting in March 2015, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2015. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Funds Management, and the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board noted that the services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement combined the advisory services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Fund-level administrative services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Administration Agreement. The Board received a representation from Funds Management that combining these services would not result in any change to the nature or level of services provided by Funds Management to the Fund.

The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     31   

programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund performance and expenses

The Board considered the performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended March 31, 2015. The Board considered these results in comparison to the performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Lipper is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the performance of the Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the performance of the Universe for all periods under review. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was higher than its benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, for all periods under review.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees (which reflect fee waivers, if any, and include advisory, administration and transfer agent fees), custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Lipper to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Lipper reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups.

The Board took into account the Fund performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement and approve the Management Agreement.

Investment advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rates that are payable by the Fund to Funds Management for investment advisory services (the “Advisory Agreement Rates”), both on a stand-alone basis and on a combined basis with the Fund’s fund-level and class-level contractual administration fee rates (the “Management Rates”). The Board noted that the Management Rates include transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs. The Board also noted that the fee rate to be paid by the Fund under the Management Agreement will incorporate the advisory fee and Fund-level administration fee previously payable separately by the Fund under the Fund’s Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement with Funds Management. The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rates”).

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Management Rates of the Fund with those of other funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were lower than the average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total advisory fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. However, given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of the advisory fee between them.

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

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable, in light of the services covered by the Advisory Agreements.


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32   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund   Other information (unaudited)

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of Wells Fargo as a whole, from providing services to the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board also received and considered information concerning the profitability of the Sub-Adviser, if any, from providing services to the fund family as a whole, noting that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund was subsumed in the Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

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

Economies of scale

With respect to possible economies of scale, the Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory and management fee structures, and the Fund’s administration fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size. It considered that, for a small fund or a fund that shrinks in size, breakpoints conversely can result in higher fee levels. The Board also considered that fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements and competitive fee rates at the outset are means of sharing potential economies of scale with shareholders of the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board considered Funds Management’s view that any analyses of potential economies of scale in managing a particular fund are inherently limited in light of the joint and common costs and investments that Funds Management incurs across the fund family as a whole.

The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee and expense arrangements, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

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

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

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

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.


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List of abbreviations   Wells Fargo Advantage Disciplined U.S. Core Fund     33   

The following is a list of common abbreviations for terms and entities that may have appeared in this report.

 

ACA —  ACA Financial Guaranty Corporation
ADR —  American depositary receipt
ADS —  American depositary shares
AGC —  Assured Guaranty Corporation
AGM —  Assured Guaranty Municipal
Ambac —  Ambac Financial Group Incorporated
AMT —  Alternative minimum tax
AUD —  Australian dollar
BAN —  Bond anticipation notes
BHAC —  Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation
BRL —  Brazilian real
CAB —  Capital appreciation bond
CAD —  Canadian dollar
CCAB —  Convertible capital appreciation bond
CDA —  Community Development Authority
CDO —  Collateralized debt obligation
CHF —  Swiss franc
COP —  Colombian peso
CLP —  Chilean peso
DKK —  Danish krone
DRIVER —  Derivative inverse tax-exempt receipts
DW&P —  Department of Water & Power
DWR —  Department of Water Resources
ECFA —  Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority
EDA —  Economic Development Authority
EDFA —  Economic Development Finance Authority
ETF —  Exchange-traded fund
EUR —  Euro
FDIC —  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FFCB —  Federal Farm Credit Banks
FGIC —  Financial Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FHA —  Federal Housing Administration
FHLB —  Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC —  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FICO —  The Financing Corporation
FNMA —  Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA —  Farm Service Agency
GBP —  Great British pound
GDR —  Global depositary receipt
GNMA —  Government National Mortgage Association
GO —  General obligation
HCFR —  Healthcare facilities revenue
HEFA —  Health & Educational Facilities Authority
HEFAR —  Higher education facilities authority revenue
HFA —  Housing Finance Authority
HFFA —  Health Facilities Financing Authority
HKD —  Hong Kong dollar
HUD —  Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUF —  Hungarian forint
IDA —  Industrial Development Authority
IDAG —  Industrial Development Agency
IDR —  Indonesian rupiah
IEP —  Irish pound
JPY —  Japanese yen
KRW —  Republic of Korea won
LIBOR —  London Interbank Offered Rate
LIFER —  Long Inverse Floating Exempt Receipts
LIQ —  Liquidity agreement
LLC —  Limited liability company
LLLP —  Limited liability limited partnership
LLP —  Limited liability partnership
LOC —  Letter of credit
LP —  Limited partnership
MBIA —  Municipal Bond Insurance Association
MFHR —  Multifamily housing revenue
MSTR —  Municipal securities trust receipts
MTN —  Medium-term note
MUD —  Municipal Utility District
MXN —  Mexican peso
MYR —  Malaysian ringgit
National —  National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation
NGN —  Nigerian naira
NOK —  Norwegian krone
NZD —  New Zealand dollar
PCFA —  Pollution Control Financing Authority
PCL —  Public Company Limited
PCR —  Pollution control revenue
PFA —  Public Finance Authority
PFFA —  Public Facilities Financing Authority
PFOTER —  Puttable floating option tax-exempt receipts
plc —  Public limited company
PLN —  Polish zloty
PUTTER —  Puttable tax-exempt receipts
R&D —  Research & development
Radian —  Radian Asset Assurance
RAN —  Revenue anticipation notes
RDA —  Redevelopment Authority
RDFA —  Redevelopment Finance Authority
REIT —  Real estate investment trust
ROC —  Reset option certificates
RON —  Romanian lei
RUB —  Russian ruble
SAVRS —  Select auction variable rate securities
SBA —  Small Business Authority
SDR —  Swedish depositary receipt
SEK —  Swedish krona
SFHR —  Single-family housing revenue
SFMR —  Single-family mortgage revenue
SGD —  Singapore dollar
SPA —  Standby purchase agreement
SPDR —  Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts
SPEAR —   Short Puttable Exempt Adjustable Receipts
STRIPS —  Separate trading of registered interest and
           principal securities
TAN —  Tax anticipation notes
TBA —  To be announced
THB —  Thai baht
TIPS —  Treasury inflation-protected securities
TRAN —  Tax revenue anticipation notes
TRY —  Turkish lira
TTFA —  Transportation Trust Fund Authority
TVA —  Tennessee Valley Authority
ZAR —  South African rand
 


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For more information

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

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

P.O. Box 8266

Boston, MA 02266-8266

Email: wfaf@wellsfargo.com

Website: wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

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

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, provides investment advisory and administrative services for Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. Other affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company provide subadvisory and other services for the Funds. The Funds are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE

© 2015 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

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236192 09-15

A203/AR203 07-15


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Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund

 

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Annual Report

July 31, 2015

 

 

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Table of Contents

Reduce clutter. Save trees.

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

Contents

 

 

 

Letter to shareholders

    2   

Performance highlights

    4   

Fund expenses

    8   

Portfolio of investments

    9   
Financial statements  

Statement of assets and liabilities

    12   

Statement of operations

    13   

Statement of changes in net assets

    14   

Financial highlights

    15   

Notes to financial statements

    20   

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

    25   

Other information

    26   

List of abbreviations

    32   

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of July 31, 2015, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements; the views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE



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2   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period

 

 

Dear Valued Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015. Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period (as measured by the S&P 500 Index1). In contrast, many economies and markets elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges.

Positive U.S. economic data but increased tensions abroad led to heightened market volatility in the last five months of 2014.

Following a negative monthly return for July 2014, the S&P 500 Index bounced back in August on a string of positive economic news, led by a 4.2% revised second-quarter 2014 gross domestic product (GDP) reading. The S&P 500 Index gave back some of its August gains in September, however; stock market volatility increased as positive economic data became overshadowed at times by growing discomfort over escalating tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East and slowing growth in Europe and China. Ultimately, U.S. stocks ended the third quarter up slightly overall, buoyed largely by strong corporate earnings and another upward revision of second-quarter GDP growth (to 4.6%).

The fourth quarter of 2014 brought continued improvement in the U.S.; international economies remained challenged. Strong fourth-quarter results by U.S. stocks helped the S&P 500 Index deliver more than 50 record closes in 2014. The last several, in December, were spurred by investor optimism following U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Janet Yellen’s comment that the Fed would be patient in its timing of an interest-rate increase. U.S. stocks also were boosted by positive economic data; November’s 5.8% unemployment rate was down from 7.0% a year earlier, and the number of jobs being added continued to expand. In addition, the U.S. economy’s third-quarter growth rate was revised upward to 5.0% during the quarter, and U.S. companies continued to report strong earnings. The steadily brightening U.S. economy energized consumers, who were further buoyed by much lower prices at the gasoline pump. As the U.S. chugged forward, though, major economies elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges. While Japan eased out of a two-quarter contraction, growth in China continued to slow and Russia’s economy contracted for the first time since 2009. In the eurozone, growth remained sluggish; this situation was exacerbated in December by renewed concerns about Greece after its parliament failed to avert a general election that could jeopardize the country’s financial agreements with its creditors.

In the first quarter of 2015, U.S. large caps delivered positive results but underperformed small- and mid-cap stocks; major markets elsewhere rallied.

U.S. large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks tended to move similarly during the quarter until early March, when results began to diverge by market capitalization. Larger caps slipped that month as investor concern grew over the strengthening U.S. dollar’s potentially negative effect on the profits of large U.S. multinational firms; however, stocks of small and midsize companies, which tend to be less affected by movements in the dollar, performed better. Positive stock results were supported by a gradually improving U.S. economy. The labor market continued to grow, along with personal income and consumer confidence. For U.S. businesses, the quarter’s data were mixed; while many companies reported strong earnings, other data indicated potential weakening in manufacturing. Elsewhere in the world, major markets enjoyed positive returns spurred by accommodative monetary policies from major central banks and signs of improvement in some struggling economies.

 

 

 

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


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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     3   

U.S. large caps experienced challenges during the second quarter of 2015.

The S&P 500 Index fluctuated widely during this quarter, eventually eking out a 0.28% gain for the period. Larger-cap stocks at times were pressured by ongoing investor concerns over the potentially negative effects of financially troubled overseas economies and the strengthening U.S. dollar. The U.S. economy picked up traction during the quarter; consumer spending improved, and positive trends were evident in construction and new-home sales. Jobs growth remained a bright spot as well. Fed officials, who have kept interest rates low while waiting for the U.S. jobs market to sufficiently improve and for inflation to approach their 2% target, made clear that they could take action soon. Throughout the quarter, markets outside the U.S. continued to experience volatility, triggered by uncertainty over the potential impact of financial challenges in other locations—most notably in Greece and Puerto Rico. Questions over slower growth in China caused investor concern as well.

July 2015 brought a bounce-back for U.S. large caps.

U.S. large-cap stocks delivered 2.10% for the month (as measured by the S&P 500 Index). The boost was supported by encouraging U.S. economic data, including positive earnings reports from a range of U.S. companies, increased retail spending by U.S. consumers, and further improvement in the jobs market.

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

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

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

Notice to shareholders

At a meeting held on August 11–12, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change in the name of the Fund whereby the word “Advantage” will be removed from its name, effective December 15, 2015.

 

For current information about your fund investments, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


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4   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Thomas J. Pence, CFA

Michael T. Smith, CFA

Average annual total returns (%) as of July 31, 2015

 

        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios1 (%)  
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net2  
Class A (STAEX)   12-29-2000     5.70        14.03        5.80        12.14        15.41        6.43        1.20        1.20   
Class B (WECBX)*   12-29-2000     6.31        14.32        5.86        11.31        14.55        5.86        1.95        1.95   
Class C (WECCX)   12-29-2000     10.21        14.55        5.63        11.21        14.55        5.63        1.95        1.95   
Administrator Class (WECDX)   4-8-2005                          12.38        15.70        6.70        1.12        1.00   
Institutional Class (WFCIX)   4-8-2005                          12.63        15.93        6.91        0.87        0.80   
Russell 1000® Growth Index3                            16.08        17.75        8.95                 
*   Class B shares are closed to investment, except in connection with the reinvestment of any distributions and permitted exchanges.

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

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

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class B shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 5.00%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Administrator Class and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk and focused portfolio risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


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Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     5   
Growth of $10,000 investment4 as of July 31, 2015
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1  Reflects the expense ratios as stated in the most recent prospectuses. The expense ratios shown are subject to change and may differ from the annualized expense ratios shown in the financial highlights of this report.

 

2  The manager has contractually committed through November 30, 2016, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at the amounts shown. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the cap. Without this cap, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.

 

3  The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

4  The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Russell 1000 Growth Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

5  The ten largest holdings, excluding cash and cash equivalents, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

6  Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.


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6   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

n   The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index, for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015.

 

n   Negative results in the consumer discretionary and energy sectors detracted the most from performance.

 

n   Select holdings in the consumer staples and information technology (IT) sectors benefited performance.

The U.S. stock market performed strongly over the 12-month period, responding positively to improving economic data that pointed to continued recovery in the U.S. economy. While other countries, such as China and several eurozone nations, struggled with slowing growth and deflation concerns, the U.S. improved steadily in a wide range of metrics. As a result, investing in the U.S. tended to appear more attractive compared with investing in many other areas of the world.

 

Ten largest holdings5 (%) as of July 31, 2015  

Apple Incorporated

     7.81   

Amazon.com Incorporated

     4.67   

Visa Incorporated Class A

     4.51   

Facebook Incorporated Class A

     4.19   

The Home Depot Incorporated

     3.74   

Liberty Global plc Class C

     2.92   

Nike Incorporated Class B

     2.92   

Celgene Corporation

     2.89   

Time Warner Incorporated

     2.67   

Constellation Brands Incorporated Class A

     2.62   

The Fund’s holdings in the consumer discretionary and energy sectors hindered performance.

In the Fund’s consumer discretionary sector, Las Vegas Sands Corporation detracted significantly over the period. Although the strong gaming market in Macau had been a key growth driver for many gaming stocks, sentiment for the Macau market turned negative in 2014 as China’s government began implementing new regulations. Also, Hong Kong protests led to a rash of Macau hotel-room cancellations during a busy holiday period. While the company reported some better-than-expected results in Macau, we exited the position as negative headlines weighed on the stock.

 

 

Historically, our fundamentally based investment process generally has been challenged during times when stock prices were driven by macroeconomic factors rather than by company-specific fundamentals. This dynamic was apparent over the reporting period within the energy sector, where crude-oil prices and the majority of energy-related stocks experienced extreme price volatility. Our energy stock selection has focused primarily on quality U.S. exploration and production (E&P) companies with strong production growth in attractive basins. We have invested in producers we believed could grow profitably despite the movements in oil prices. However, the sector’s recent performance left little doubt that investors have been treating many E&P companies as proxies for oil prices; holdings such as Antero Resources Corporation and Pioneer Natural Resources Company detracted from performance, illustrating this extreme volatility. As falling commodity prices led to significant drops in production, energy equipment and service providers were especially hard hit; as a result, both Halliburton Company and Nabors Industries Limited detracted significantly from performance. In recent months, we exited all Fund positions in this sector, including these four companies, given elevated risks within energy.

 

Sector distribution6 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

Select holdings in the consumer staples and IT sectors aided Fund performance.

Within the consumer staples sector, beer and wine manufacturer Constellation Brands Incorporated, rose sharply over the period, contributing substantially to Fund performance. Constellation’s results reflected a strengthening U.S. consumer and the revenue and cost synergies resulting from the company’s acquisition of Grupo Modelo S.A.B. de C.V.’s U.S. beer business. Constellation remains a true self-help story as the company continues to pay down debt and invest in new products and brand extensions. In the IT sector, Facebook, Incorporated contributed positively as solid results confirmed that the company’s core business

 

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     7   

remained strong with mobile advertising revenues growing rapidly. Also, concerns about Facebook’s ability to monetize its video and Instagram assets proved to be misplaced. We look for the company’s fundamentals to continue to deliver positive surprises, and we maintain our conviction in the stock.

Recent market dynamics support our confidence in the Fund’s positioning.

While summer brings blue skies and sunshine to most of the country, the forecast for the U.S. stock market may be considerably cloudier; visibility is low, and a number of economic and geopolitical factors may cause storms for investors in coming months. China continues to struggle in its attempt to reaccelerate growth, Japan remains vigilant in its fight against deflation, and Greece’s debt crisis remains a lingering black cloud over global financial markets. Despite the situation in Greece, signs of stabilization have become evident elsewhere in Europe. In Germany, for example, manufacturers have been bolstered by a weak euro, and bund interest rates have spiked upward. We view the global economic picture as hazy at best.

Given our view, we have centered Fund positioning on firms and industries with a higher level of visibility, choosing to focus on firms we believe could make their own luck. While true secular growth remains scarce, we continue to find opportunities related to the U.S. consumer. Specifically, we have focused on the trend of growth in household formations driven by Millennials, which has created a virtuous cycle of consumer spending. Other consumer-related Fund holdings are focused on travel, health and wellness, and e-commerce. We also see pockets of secular growth in the traditional growth sectors of health care and IT. Within financials, we have selected holdings that could benefit from improving conditions in commercial real estate. Also, we have maintained a few high-conviction holdings in companies tied to the cyclical U.S. industrials sector.

No one likes getting caught in traffic; at times over the past few years, however, fundamental, bottom-up managers—like us—have felt as if we were. The market has appeared to be moving down the road toward rewarding strong underlying fundamentals, only to be stymied by a macroeconomic or geopolitical event that halts progress. However, we have built a portfolio with a strong engine of secular growth that may perform well when the road opens up. In fact, recently, we have seen encouraging signs of traffic clearing: Investors have begun reacting rationally to better-than-expected corporate earnings, and fundamentals seem to matter more now than they did in 2014. Although further delays may lie ahead, we will continue to drive the same as we always have: by building portfolios based on bottom-up, fundamental research; balancing risk and return; and weighting the Fund toward our highest-conviction ideas. We remain confident that our disciplined process has the potential to transport shareholders to their desired destinations.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

8   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Fund expenses (unaudited)

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

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from February 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

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

 

     Beginning
account value
2-1-2015
     Ending
account value
7-31-2015
     Expenses
paid during
the period1
     Net annualized
expense ratio
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,076.80       $ 6.33         1.23

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,018.70       $ 6.16         1.23

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,073.81       $ 10.18         1.98

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,014.98       $ 9.89         1.98

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,072.84       $ 10.23         1.99

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,014.93       $ 9.94         1.99

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,078.63       $ 5.05         0.98

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,019.93       $ 4.91         0.98

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,079.52       $ 4.12         0.80

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,020.83       $ 4.01         0.80

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     9   

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  

Common Stocks: 96.77%

          

Consumer Discretionary: 27.50%

          
Auto Components: 1.99%           

Delphi Automotive plc

          75,977       $ 5,932,284   
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 2.38%           

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Incorporated †

          263,370         7,071,485   
          

 

 

 
Household Durables: 2.47%           

Jarden Corporation †

          133,942         7,366,810   
          

 

 

 
Internet & Catalog Retail: 4.67%           

Amazon.com Incorporated †

          25,953         13,914,701   
          

 

 

 
Media: 5.59%           

Liberty Global plc Class C †

          177,126         8,703,972   

Time Warner Incorporated

          90,360         7,955,294   
             16,659,266   
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 5.66%           

The Home Depot Incorporated

          95,283         11,150,969   

The TJX Companies Incorporated

          81,517         5,691,517   
             16,842,486   
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 4.74%           

Nike Incorporated Class B

          75,486         8,697,497   

Under Armour Incorporated Class A †

          54,437         5,407,227   
             14,104,724   
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 4.36%

          
Beverages: 2.62%           

Constellation Brands Incorporated Class A

          65,115         7,815,102   
          

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing: 1.74%           

Walgreens Boots Alliance Incorporated

          53,600         5,179,368   
          

 

 

 

Financials: 5.66%

          
Capital Markets: 1.40%           

Charles Schwab Corporation

          119,300         4,161,184   
          

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 4.26%           

Intercontinental Exchange Incorporated

          23,883         5,446,279   

McGraw Hill Financial Incorporated

          71,078         7,232,187   
             12,678,466   
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 18.12%

          
Biotechnology: 7.98%           

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          29,100         5,745,504   

Celgene Corporation †

          65,679         8,620,369   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

10   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Biotechnology (continued)           

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

          28,025       $ 3,303,027   

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          11,000         6,090,260   
             23,759,160   
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 10.14%           

Allergan plc †

          23,000         7,616,450   

Endo International plc †

          84,141         7,365,703   

Shire plc ADR

          27,902         7,444,533   

Zoetis Incorporated

          158,460         7,761,371   
             30,188,057   
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 3.47%

          
Airlines: 1.47%           

Delta Air Lines Incorporated

          98,679         4,375,427   
          

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates: 2.00%           

Carlisle Companies Incorporated

          58,900         5,964,214   
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 30.77%

          
Communications Equipment: 1.73%           

Palo Alto Networks Incorporated †

          27,625         5,133,554   
          

 

 

 
Internet Software & Services: 11.06%           

Akamai Technologies Incorporated †

          98,221         7,534,533   

Facebook Incorporated Class A †

          132,649         12,470,332   

Google Incorporated Class A †

          11,399         7,494,843   

Google Incorporated Class C †

          8,700         5,442,807   
             32,942,515   
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 4.51%           

Visa Incorporated Class A

          178,258         13,429,958   
          

 

 

 
Software: 5.66%           

Adobe Systems Incorporated †

          76,800         6,296,832   

Salesforce.com Incorporated †

          65,400         4,793,820   

ServiceNow Incorporated †

          71,468         5,753,174   
             16,843,826   
          

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 7.81%           

Apple Incorporated

          191,783         23,263,278   
          

 

 

 

Materials: 2.17%

          
Chemicals: 2.17%           

Axalta Coating Systems Limited †

          203,500         6,473,335   
          

 

 

 

Telecommunication Services: 4.72%

          
Diversified Telecommunication Services: 2.28%           

Level 3 Communications Incorporated †

          134,747         6,804,724   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     11   

      

 

 

Security name              Shares      Value  
Wireless Telecommunication Services: 2.44%          

SBA Communications Corporation Class A †

         60,125       $ 7,258,288   
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $206,217,879)

            288,162,212   
         

 

 

 
    Yield                    
Short-Term Investments: 3.50%          
Investment Companies: 3.50%          

Wells Fargo Advantage Cash Investment Money Market Fund, Select Class (l)(u)

    0.13        10,422,396         10,422,396   
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $10,422,396)

            10,422,396   
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $216,640,275) *     100.27        298,584,608   

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.27        (792,605
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 297,792,003   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

(l) The security represents an affiliate of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

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

 

* Cost for federal income tax purposes is $217,193,387 and unrealized gains (losses) consists of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 82,979,262   

Gross unrealized losses

     (1,588,041
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains

   $ 81,391,221   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

12   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Statement of assets and liabilities—July 31, 2015
         

Assets

 

Investments

 

In unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $206,217,879)

  $ 288,162,212   

In affiliated securities, at value (cost $10,422,396)

    10,422,396   
 

 

 

 

Total investments, at value (cost $216,640,275)

    298,584,608   

Receivable for investments sold

    5,702,717   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    37,178   

Receivable for dividends

    156,740   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    40,460   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    304,521,703   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    6,060,566   

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    376,031   

Management fee payable

    165,362   

Distribution fees payable

    4,752   

Administration fees payable

    37,102   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    85,887   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    6,729,700   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 297,792,003   
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 139,612,773   

Accumulated net realized gains on investments

    76,234,897   

Net unrealized gains on investments

    81,944,333   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 297,792,003   
 

 

 

 

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 26,196,794   

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    1,906,402   

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $13.74   

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $14.58   

Net assets – Class B

  $ 103,902   

Shares outstanding – Class B1

    8,710   

Net asset value per share – Class B

    $11.93   

Net assets – Class C

  $ 6,914,357   

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    579,373   

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $11.93   

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 42,776,448   

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    3,027,501   

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $14.13   

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 221,800,502   

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    15,413,211   

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $14.39   

 

 

1  The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Statement of operations—year ended July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     13   
         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $7,528)

  $ 4,097,283   

Income from affiliated securities

    11,229   

Securities lending income, net

    6,429   
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    4,114,941   
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    4,065,863   

Administration fees

 

Class A

    78,363   

Class B

    437   

Class C

    18,048   

Administrator Class

    48,001   

Institutional Class

    410,962   

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    76,470   

Class B

    424   

Class C

    17,654   

Administrator Class

    100,057   

Distribution fees

 

Class B

    1,273   

Class C

    52,962   

Custody and accounting fees

    38,756   

Professional fees

    43,101   

Registration fees

    61,645   

Shareholder report expenses

    51,162   

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    12,008   

Interest expense

    1,146   

Other fees and expenses

    12,340   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    5,090,672   

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (94,754
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    4,995,918   
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (880,977
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS

 

Net realized gains on investments

    133,384,136   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (60,133,598
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    73,250,538   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 72,369,561   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

14   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Statement of changes in net assets
    

Year ended

July 31, 2015

   

Year ended

July 31, 2014

 

Operations

       

Net investment loss

    $ (880,977     $ (1,901,929

Net realized gains on investments

      133,384,136          115,526,129   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      (60,133,598       3,258,076   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      72,369,561          116,882,276   
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from

       

Net investment income

       

Administrator Class

      0          (97,085

Institutional Class

      0          (2,001,641

Net realized gains

       

Class A

      (4,180,367       (2,203,445

Class B

      (29,782       (22,001

Class C

      (1,041,460       (364,783

Administrator Class

      (6,299,282       (2,987,418

Institutional Class

      (81,434,953       (26,344,957
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (92,985,844       (34,021,330
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares          Shares     

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    155,038        2,127,588        262,020        3,578,072   

Class B

    0        0        2,013        24,431   

Class C

    80,725        950,480        57,270        710,640   

Administrator Class

    353,463        4,955,910        487,193        6,799,164   

Institutional Class

    4,502,805        64,783,218        9,878,304        139,039,120   
 

 

 

 
      72,817,196          150,151,427   
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    314,153        4,011,740        158,036        2,144,550   

Class B

    2,673        29,782        1,707        20,756   

Class C

    91,245        1,017,377        29,369        357,128   

Administrator Class

    479,088        6,280,838        194,103        2,691,721   

Institutional Class

    5,829,180        77,761,267        1,890,146        26,598,582   
 

 

 

 
      89,101,004          31,812,737   
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (1,513,775     (21,046,656     (985,474     (13,604,809

Class B

    (13,638     (161,929     (27,816     (338,489

Class C

    (127,822     (1,483,495     (109,981     (1,352,148

Administrator Class

    (1,166,520     (16,155,945     (2,689,608     (37,603,302

Institutional Class

    (37,137,527     (520,427,263     (8,839,212     (124,313,851
 

 

 

 
      (559,275,288       (177,212,599
 

 

 

 

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

      (397,357,088       4,751,565   
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (417,973,371       87,612,511   
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      715,765,374          628,152,863   
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 297,792,003        $ 715,765,374   
 

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income

    $ 0        $ 0   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     15   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS A   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.13        $12.52        $10.45        $10.12        $8.12   

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.08 )1      (0.09 )1      0.00 1,2      (0.05 )1      (0.05 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.65        2.37        2.07        0.38        2.05   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.57        2.28        2.07        0.33        2.00   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (1.96     (0.67     0.00        0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.74        $14.13        $12.52        $10.45        $10.12   

Total return3

    12.14     18.40     19.81     3.26     24.63

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.24     1.25     1.26     1.23     1.23

Net expenses

    1.23     1.24     1.25     1.23     1.23

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.55 )%      (0.66 )%      0.03     (0.49 )%      (0.52 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    126     100     97     94     100

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $26,197        $41,708        $44,041        $47,233        $94,704   

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Amount is less than $0.005.

 

3  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


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16   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS B   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.60        $11.31        $9.51        $9.28        $7.50   

Net investment loss

    (0.16 )1      (0.17 )1      (0.07 )1      (0.11 )1      (0.11 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.45        2.13        1.87        0.34        1.89   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.29        1.96        1.80        0.23        1.78   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (1.96     (0.67     0.00        0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.93        $12.60        $11.31        $9.51        $9.28   

Total return2

    11.31     17.50     18.93     2.48     23.73

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.99     2.00     2.00     1.98     1.98

Net expenses

    1.98     1.99     2.00     1.98     1.98

Net investment loss

    (1.29 )%      (1.41 )%      (0.67 )%      (1.24 )%      (1.26 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    126     100     97     94     100

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $104        $248        $495        $1,095        $1,633   

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


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Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     17   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS C   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.61        $11.32        $9.51        $9.28        $7.50   

Net investment loss

    (0.16 )1      (0.17 )1      (0.07 )1      (0.11 )1      (0.11 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.44        2.13        1.88        0.34        1.89   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.28        1.96        1.81        0.23        1.78   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (1.96     (0.67     0.00        0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $11.93        $12.61        $11.32        $9.51        $9.28   

Total return2

    11.21     17.60     18.93     2.48     23.73

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.99     2.00     2.01     1.98     1.98

Net expenses

    1.99     1.99     2.00     1.98     1.98

Net investment loss

    (1.32 )%      (1.41 )%      (0.72 )%      (1.25 )%      (1.27 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    126     100     97     94     100

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $6,914        $6,747        $6,320        $6,199        $7,448   

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


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18   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.45        $12.78        $10.63        $10.26        $8.22   

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.05 )1      (0.06 )1      0.03 1      (0.03 )1      (0.03 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.69        2.42        2.12        0.40        2.07   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.64        2.36        2.15        0.37        2.04   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        (0.02     0.00        0.00        0.00   

Net realized gains

    (1.96     (0.67     0.00        0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.96     (0.69     0.00        0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.13        $14.45        $12.78        $10.63        $10.26   

Total return

    12.38     18.77     20.13     3.51     24.94

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.05     1.06     1.08     1.07     1.07

Net expenses

    0.99     1.00     1.00     1.00     1.00

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.32 )%      (0.42 )%      0.23     (0.27 )%      (0.29 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    126     100     97     94     100

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $42,776        $48,560        $68,611        $57,533        $232,954   

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


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Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     19   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.65        $12.95        $10.75        $10.37        $8.28   

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.01 )1      (0.03 )1      0.06 1      (0.01 )1      (0.01 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.71        2.45        2.14        0.39        2.10   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.70        2.42        2.20        0.38        2.09   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        (0.05     0.00        0.00        0.00   

Net realized gains

    (1.96     (0.67     0.00        0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.96     (0.72     0.00        0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.39        $14.65        $12.95        $10.75        $10.37   

Total return

    12.63     18.98     20.37     3.66     25.24

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.81     0.82     0.83     0.80     0.80

Net expenses

    0.80     0.80     0.80     0.79     0.80

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.09 )%      (0.22 )%      0.50     (0.06 )%      (0.08 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    126     100     97     94     100

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $221,801        $618,502        $508,685        $735,633        $853,494   

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


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20   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Notes to financial statements

1. ORGANIZATION

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

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time).

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

Equity securities that are not listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market, but have a public trading market, are valued at the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer that the Management Valuation Team of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”) has determined is an acceptable source.

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

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

Valuations of fair valued securities are compared to the next actual sales price when available, or other appropriate market values, to assess the continued appropriateness of the fair valuation methodologies used. These securities are fair valued on a day-to-day basis, taking into consideration changes to appropriate market information and any significant changes to the inputs considered in the valuation process until there is a readily available price provided on an exchange or by an independent pricing service. Valuations received from an independent pricing service or independent broker-dealer quotes are periodically validated by comparisons to most recent trades and valuations provided by other independent pricing services in addition to the review of prices by the manager and/or subadviser. Unobservable inputs used in determining fair valuations are identified based on the type of security, taking into consideration factors utilized by market participants in valuing the investment, knowledge about the issuer and the current market environment.

Security loans

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Fund continues to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The Fund receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund will be affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     21   

may experience delays or costs in doing so. In addition, the investment of any cash collateral received may lose all or part of its value. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). The Securities Lending Fund is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act and is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”). Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser. The Securities Lending Fund seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments. Securities Lending Fund investments are fair valued based upon the amortized cost valuation technique. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund is included in securities lending income on the Statement of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

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

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

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Such distributions are determined in conformity with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Federal and other taxes

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

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

Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under federal income tax regulations. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. In addition, the Fund may utilize equalization accounting for tax purposes and designate earnings and profits, including net realized gains distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares, as a part of the dividends paid deduction for income tax purposes. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. The primary permanent differences causing such reclassifications are due to equalization payments and net operating losses. At July 31, 2015, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Paid-in capital   

Accumulated net

investment loss

  

Accumulated net

realized gains

on investments

$45,134,132

   $880,977    $(46,015,109)

Class allocations

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


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22   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Notes to financial statements

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

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

 

n   Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

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

 

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

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of July 31, 2015:

 

     Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Consumer discretionary

   $ 81,891,756       $ 0       $ 0       $ 81,891,756   

Consumer staples

     12,994,470         0         0         12,994,470   

Financials

     16,839,650         0         0         16,839,650   

Health care

     53,947,217         0         0         53,947,217   

Industrials

     10,339,641         0         0         10,339,641   

Information technology

     91,613,131         0         0         91,613,131   

Materials

     6,473,335         0         0         6,473,335   

Telecommunication services

     14,063,012         0         0         14,063,012   

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     10,422,396         0         0         10,422,396   

Total assets

   $ 298,584,608       $ 0       $ 0       $ 298,584,608   

The Fund recognizes transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period. At July 31, 2015, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the applicable subadviser, providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations, and providing any other fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual management fee starting at 0.70% and declining to 0.505% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. For the period from December 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, Funds Management was entitled to receive an annual fee which started at 0.65% and declined to 0.475% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. From August 1, 2014 through November 30, 2014, Funds Management received an annual advisory fee which started at 0.65% and declined to


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     23   

0.55% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. In addition, prior to July 1, 2015, fund-level administrative services were provided by Funds Management under a separate administration agreement at an annual fee which started at 0.05% and declined to 0.03% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For financial statement purposes, advisory fees and fund-level administration fees for the year ended July 31, 2015 have been included in management fee on the Statement of Operations.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. WellsCap, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.30% and declining to 0.20% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Administration fees

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

 

     Class-level administration fee  
     Current rate       

Rate prior to

July 1, 2015

 

Class A, Class B, Class C

     0.21        0.26

Administrator Class

     0.13           0.10   

Institutional Class

     0.13           0.08   

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. Waiver of fees and/or reimbursement of expenses by Funds Management were made first from fund level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. Funds Management has committed through November 30, 2016 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.20% for Class A shares, 1.95% for Class B shares, 1.95% for Class C shares, 1.00% for Administrator Class shares, and 0.80% for Institutional Class shares. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Prior to July 1, 2015, the Fund’s expenses were capped at 1.25% for Class A shares, 2.00% for Class B shares, and 2.00% for Class C shares.

Distribution fees

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

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class B and Class C shares. For the year ended July 31, 2015, Funds Distributor received $5,425 from the sale of Class A shares.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class B, Class C, and Administrator Class of the Fund is charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class.

A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended July 31, 2015 were $714,659,009 and $1,207,697,885, respectively.


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24   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Notes to financial statements

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds and certain other funds in the Trust) and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $150,000,000 revolving credit agreement, whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.10% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the Fund paid $1,810 in commitment fees.

During the year ended July 31, 2015, the Fund had average borrowings outstanding of $81,277 at an average rate of 1.41% and paid interest in the amount of $1,146.

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended July 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Year ended July 31  
     2015      2014  

Ordinary Income

   $ 31,666,488       $ 2,332,252   

Long-term capital gain

     61,319,356         31,689,078   

As of July 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
ordinary
income
   Undistributed
long-term
gain
   Unrealized
gains

$7,366,840

   $69,421,169    $81,391,221

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.


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Report of independent registered public accounting firm   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     25   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund (the “Fund”), one of the funds constituting the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, as of July 31, 2015, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of July 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund as of July 31, 2015, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

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Boston, Massachusetts

September 23, 2015


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26   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Other information (unaudited)

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 10.35% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $106,453,488 was designated as long-term capital gain distributions for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015. Long-term capital gains in the amount of $45,134,132 were distributed in connection with Fund share redemptions.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $3,929,060 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015, $31,666,488 has been designated as short-term capital gain dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

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

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The complete portfolio holdings for the Fund are publicly available monthly on the Fund’s website (wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com), on a one-month delayed basis. In addition, top ten holdings information (excluding derivative positions) for the Fund is publicly available on the Fund’s website on a monthly, seven-day or more delayed basis. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which is available by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and at regional offices in New York City, at 233 Broadway, and in Chicago, at 175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     27   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds, which consists of 133 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Other
directorships during
past five years
William R. Ebsworth (Born 1957)   Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director at Fidelity Management and Research Company and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Mr. Ebsworth is an Adjunct Lecturer, Finance, at Babson College and a Chartered Financial Analyst.   Asset Allocation Trust
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is a Chartered Financial Analyst (inactive), Chair of Taproot Foundation (non-profit organization) and a Board Member of Ruth Bancroft Garden (non-profit organization).   Asset Allocation Trust
Peter G. Gordon (Born 1942)   Trustee, since 1998; Chairman, since 2005   Co-Founder, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser Water Company. Trustee Emeritus, Colby College.   Asset Allocation Trust
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee, since 2009   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy. Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant.   CIGNA Corporation; Asset Allocation Trust
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)   Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   Asset Allocation Trust
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Morgan Stanley Director of the Center for Leadership Development and Research and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.  

Asset Allocation Trust


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28   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Other information (unaudited)
Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Other
directorships during
past five years
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   Asset Allocation Trust
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007 and Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   Asset Allocation Trust
Michael S. Scofield (Born 1943)   Trustee, since 2010   Served on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 2008-2011 as well the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council from 2006-2011 and the Independent Directors Council Executive Committee from 2008-2011. Chairman of the IDC from 2008-2010. Institutional Investor (Fund Directions) Trustee of Year in 2007. Trustee of the Evergreen Funds complex (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010. Chairman of the Evergreen Funds from 2000-2010. Former Trustee of the Mentor Funds. Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.   Asset Allocation Trust
Donald C. Willeke (Born 1940)   Trustee, since 1996   Principal of the law firm of Willeke & Daniels. General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1984 until its consolidation into the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010. Director and Vice Chair of The Tree Trust (non-profit corporation). Director of the American Chestnut Foundation (non-profit corporation).   Asset Allocation Trust

 

* Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.
** William R. Ebsworth and Jane A. Freeman each became a Trustee effective January 1, 2015.

Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer    
Karla M. Rabusch (Born 1959)   President, since 2003   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2003.    
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2007. Head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.    
C. David Messman (Born 1960)   Secretary, since 2000; Chief Legal Officer, since 2003   Senior Vice President and Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2001. Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2013 and Vice President and Managing Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank N.A. from 1996 to 2013.    
Debra Ann Early
(Born 1964)
  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2007   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2007 and Chief Compliance Officer from 2007 to 2014. Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2005 to 2007. Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2004 to 2007 and Senior Audit Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1998 to 2004.    
David Berardi
(Born 1975)
  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Assistant Vice President of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2008. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.    

 

 

1 Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 61 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 72 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

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


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     29   

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

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at an in-person meeting held on May 19-20, 2015 (the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); (ii) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Funds Management; and (iii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Fund’s Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) applicable to Fund-level administrative services. The Advisory Agreement, the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at an in-person meeting in March 2015, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2015. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Funds Management, and the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board noted that the services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement combined the advisory services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Fund-level administrative services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Administration Agreement. The Board received a representation from Funds Management that combining these services would not result in any change to the nature or level of services provided by Funds Management to the Fund.

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


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30   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   Other information (unaudited)

Fund performance and expenses

The Board considered the performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended March 31, 2015. The Board considered these results in comparison to the performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Lipper is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the performance of the Fund (Administrator Class) was lower than the average performance of the Universe for all periods under review. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index, for all periods under review.

The Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Fund relative to the Universe and benchmark for all periods under review. The Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance, including with respect to market factors that affected the Fund’s performance.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees (which reflect fee waivers, if any, and include advisory, administration and transfer agent fees), custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Lipper to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Lipper reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups. The Board discussed and accepted Funds Management’s proposal to decrease the net operating expense ratio caps for Class A, Class B and Class C.

The Board took into account the Fund performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement and approve the Management Agreement.

Investment advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rates that are payable by the Fund to Funds Management for investment advisory services (the “Advisory Agreement Rates”), both on a stand-alone basis and on a combined basis with the Fund’s fund-level and class-level contractual administration fee rates (the “Management Rates”). The Board noted that the Management Rates include transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs. The Board also noted that the fee rate to be paid by the Fund under the Management Agreement will incorporate the advisory fee and Fund-level administration fee previously payable separately by the Fund under the Fund’s Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement with Funds Management. The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rates”).

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Management Rates of the Fund with those of other funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were lower than or in range of the average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total advisory fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. However, given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of the advisory fee between them.

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

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable, in light of the services covered by the Advisory Agreements.


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund     31   

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of Wells Fargo as a whole, from providing services to the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board also received and considered information concerning the profitability of the Sub-Adviser from providing services to the fund family as a whole, noting that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund was subsumed in the Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

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

Economies of scale

With respect to possible economies of scale, the Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory and management fee structures, and the Fund’s administration fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size. It considered that, for a small fund or a fund that shrinks in size, breakpoints conversely can result in higher fee levels. The Board also considered that fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements and competitive fee rates at the outset are means of sharing potential economies of scale with shareholders of the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board considered Funds Management’s view that any analyses of potential economies of scale in managing a particular fund are inherently limited in light of the joint and common costs and investments that Funds Management incurs across the fund family as a whole.

The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee and expense arrangements, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

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

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

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

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.


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32   Wells Fargo Advantage Endeavor Select Fund   List of abbreviations

The following is a list of common abbreviations for terms and entities that may have appeared in this report.

 

ACA —  ACA Financial Guaranty Corporation
ADR —  American depositary receipt
ADS —  American depositary shares
AGC —  Assured Guaranty Corporation
AGM —  Assured Guaranty Municipal
Ambac —  Ambac Financial Group Incorporated
AMT —  Alternative minimum tax
AUD —  Australian dollar
BAN —  Bond anticipation notes
BHAC —  Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation
BRL —  Brazilian real
CAB —  Capital appreciation bond
CAD —  Canadian dollar
CCAB —  Convertible capital appreciation bond
CDA —  Community Development Authority
CDO —  Collateralized debt obligation
CHF —  Swiss franc
COP —  Colombian peso
CLP —  Chilean peso
DKK —  Danish krone
DRIVER —  Derivative inverse tax-exempt receipts
DW&P —  Department of Water & Power
DWR —  Department of Water Resources
ECFA —  Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority
EDA —  Economic Development Authority
EDFA —  Economic Development Finance Authority
ETF —  Exchange-traded fund
EUR —  Euro
FDIC —  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FFCB —  Federal Farm Credit Banks
FGIC —  Financial Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FHA —  Federal Housing Administration
FHLB —  Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC —  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FICO —  The Financing Corporation
FNMA —  Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA —  Farm Service Agency
GBP —  Great British pound
GDR —  Global depositary receipt
GNMA —  Government National Mortgage Association
GO —  General obligation
HCFR —  Healthcare facilities revenue
HEFA —  Health & Educational Facilities Authority
HEFAR —  Higher education facilities authority revenue
HFA —  Housing Finance Authority
HFFA —  Health Facilities Financing Authority
HKD —  Hong Kong dollar
HUD —  Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUF —  Hungarian forint
IDA —  Industrial Development Authority
IDAG —  Industrial Development Agency
IDR —  Indonesian rupiah
IEP —  Irish pound
JPY —  Japanese yen
KRW —  Republic of Korea won
LIBOR —  London Interbank Offered Rate
LIFER —  Long Inverse Floating Exempt Receipts
LIQ —  Liquidity agreement
LLC —  Limited liability company
LLLP —  Limited liability limited partnership
LLP —  Limited liability partnership
LOC —  Letter of credit
LP —  Limited partnership
MBIA —  Municipal Bond Insurance Association
MFHR —  Multifamily housing revenue
MSTR —  Municipal securities trust receipts
MTN —  Medium-term note
MUD —  Municipal Utility District
MXN —  Mexican peso
MYR —  Malaysian ringgit
National —  National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation
NGN —  Nigerian naira
NOK —  Norwegian krone
NZD —  New Zealand dollar
PCFA —  Pollution Control Financing Authority
PCL —  Public Company Limited
PCR —  Pollution control revenue
PFA —  Public Finance Authority
PFFA —  Public Facilities Financing Authority
PFOTER —  Puttable floating option tax-exempt receipts
plc —  Public limited company
PLN —  Polish zloty
PUTTER —  Puttable tax-exempt receipts
R&D —  Research & development
Radian —  Radian Asset Assurance
RAN —  Revenue anticipation notes
RDA —  Redevelopment Authority
RDFA —  Redevelopment Finance Authority
REIT —  Real estate investment trust
ROC —  Reset option certificates
RON —  Romanian lei
RUB —  Russian ruble
SAVRS —  Select auction variable rate securities
SBA —  Small Business Authority
SDR —  Swedish depositary receipt
SEK —  Swedish krona
SFHR —  Single-family housing revenue
SFMR —  Single-family mortgage revenue
SGD —  Singapore dollar
SPA —  Standby purchase agreement
SPDR —  Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts
SPEAR —   Short Puttable Exempt Adjustable Receipts
STRIPS —  Separate trading of registered interest and
           principal securities
TAN —  Tax anticipation notes
TBA —  To be announced
THB —  Thai baht
TIPS —  Treasury inflation-protected securities
TRAN —  Tax revenue anticipation notes
TRY —  Turkish lira
TTFA —  Transportation Trust Fund Authority
TVA —  Tennessee Valley Authority
ZAR —  South African rand
 


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For more information

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

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

P.O. Box 8266

Boston, MA 02266-8266

Email: wfaf@wellsfargo.com

Website: wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

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

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, provides investment advisory and administrative services for Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. Other affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company provide subadvisory and other services for the Funds. The Funds are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE

© 2015 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

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236193 09-15

A205/AR205 07-15


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Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund

 

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Annual Report

July 31, 2015

 

 

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Contents

 

 

 

Letter to shareholders

    2   

Performance highlights

    4   

Fund expenses

    8   

Portfolio of investments

    9   
Financial statements  

Statement of assets and liabilities

    14   

Statement of operations

    15   

Statement of changes in net assets

    16   

Financial highlights

    17   

Notes to financial statements

    22   

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

    27   

Other information

    28   

List of abbreviations

    34   

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of July 31, 2015, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements; the views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE



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2   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period

 

 

Dear Valued Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015. Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period (as measured by the S&P 500 Index1). In contrast, many economies and markets elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges.

Positive U.S. economic data but increased tensions abroad led to heightened market volatility in the last five months of 2014.

Following a negative monthly return for July 2014, the S&P 500 Index bounced back in August on a string of positive economic news, led by a 4.2% revised second-quarter 2014 gross domestic product (GDP) reading. The S&P 500 Index gave back some of its August gains in September, however; stock market volatility increased as positive economic data became overshadowed at times by growing discomfort over escalating tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East and slowing growth in Europe and China. Ultimately, U.S. stocks ended the third quarter up slightly overall, buoyed largely by strong corporate earnings and another upward revision of second-quarter GDP growth (to 4.6%).

The fourth quarter of 2014 brought continued improvement in the U.S.; international economies remained challenged. Strong fourth-quarter results by U.S. stocks helped the S&P 500 Index deliver more than 50 record closes in 2014. The last several, in December, were spurred by investor optimism following U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Janet Yellen’s comment that the Fed would be patient in its timing of an interest-rate increase. U.S. stocks also were boosted by positive economic data; November’s 5.8% unemployment rate was down from 7.0% a year earlier, and the number of jobs being added continued to expand. In addition, the U.S. economy’s third-quarter growth rate was revised upward to 5.0% during the quarter, and U.S. companies continued to report strong earnings. The steadily brightening U.S. economy energized consumers, who were further buoyed by much lower prices at the gasoline pump. As the U.S. chugged forward, though, major economies elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges. While Japan eased out of a two-quarter contraction, growth in China continued to slow and Russia’s economy contracted for the first time since 2009. In the eurozone, growth remained sluggish; this situation was exacerbated in December by renewed concerns about Greece after its parliament failed to avert a general election that could jeopardize the country’s financial agreements with its creditors.

In the first quarter of 2015, U.S. large caps delivered positive results but underperformed small- and mid-cap stocks; major markets elsewhere rallied.

U.S. large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks tended to move similarly during the quarter until early March, when results began to diverge by market capitalization. Larger caps slipped that month as investor concern grew over the strengthening U.S. dollar’s potentially negative effect on the profits of large U.S. multinational firms; however, stocks of small and midsize companies, which tend to be less affected by movements in the dollar, performed better. Positive stock results were supported by a gradually improving U.S. economy. The labor market continued to grow, along with personal income and consumer confidence. For U.S. businesses, the quarter’s data were mixed; while many companies reported strong earnings, other data indicated potential weakening in manufacturing. Elsewhere in the world, major

 

 

 

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


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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     3   

markets enjoyed positive returns spurred by accommodative monetary policies from major central banks and signs of improvement in some struggling economies.

U.S. large caps experienced challenges during the second quarter of 2015.

The S&P 500 Index fluctuated widely during this quarter, eventually eking out a 0.28% gain for the period. Larger-cap stocks at times were pressured by ongoing investor concerns over the potentially negative effects of financially troubled overseas economies and the strengthening U.S. dollar. The U.S. economy picked up traction during the quarter; consumer spending improved, and positive trends were evident in construction and new-home sales. Jobs growth remained a bright spot as well. Fed officials, who have kept interest rates low while waiting for the U.S. jobs market to sufficiently improve and for inflation to approach their 2% target, made clear that they could take action soon. Throughout the quarter, markets outside the U.S. continued to experience volatility, triggered by uncertainty over the potential impact of financial challenges in other locations—most notably in Greece and Puerto Rico. Questions over slower growth in China caused investor concern as well.

July 2015 brought a bounce-back for U.S. large caps.

U.S. large-cap stocks delivered 2.10% for the month (as measured by the S&P 500 Index). The boost was supported by encouraging U.S. economic data, including positive earnings reports from a range of U.S. companies, increased retail spending by U.S. consumers, and further improvement in the jobs market.

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

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

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

Notice to shareholders

At a meeting held on August 11–12, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change in the name of the Fund whereby the word “Advantage” will be removed from its name, effective December 15, 2015.

 

For current information about your fund investments, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


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4   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

The Fund is currently closed to most new investors1.

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Joseph M. Eberhardy, CFA, CPA

Thomas C. Ognar, CFA

Bruce C. Olson, CFA

Average annual total returns2 (%) as of July 31, 2015

 

        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios3 (%)  
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net4  
Class A (SGRAX)   2-24-2000     8.40        16.86        11.11        15.01        18.25        11.77        1.13        1.13   
Class C (WGFCX)   12-26-2002     13.16        17.37        10.94        14.16        17.37        10.94        1.88        1.88   
Administrator Class (SGRKX)   8-30-2002                          15.28        18.53        12.09        1.05        0.96   
Institutional Class (SGRNX)   2-24-2000                          15.53        18.77        12.28        0.80        0.75   
Investor Class (SGROX)   12-31-1993                          14.96        18.17        11.66        1.24        1.24   
Russell 3000® Growth Index5                            16.37        17.76        8.96                 

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

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

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

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


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Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     5   
Growth of $10,000 investment6 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

 

 

 

 

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

 

2  Effective June 20, 2008, Advisor Class was renamed Class A and modified to assume the features and attributes of Class A. Historical performance shown for Class A shares through June 20, 2008, includes Advisor Class expenses.

 

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

 

4  The manager has contractually committed through November 30, 2015, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at 1.21% for Class A, 1.96% for Class C, 0.96% for Administrator Class, 0.75% for Institutional Class, and 1.27% for Investor Class. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the cap. Without this cap, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.

 

5  The Russell 3000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 3000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6  The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Russell 3000 Growth Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

7  The ten largest holdings, excluding cash and cash equivalents, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

8  Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.


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6   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

n   The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 3000 Growth Index, for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015.

 

n   The period’s steep decline in the prices of energy commodities negatively affected many of the Fund’s holdings within the energy sector along with its railroad holdings in the industrials sector.

 

n   The Fund benefited from favorable stock selection within the health care and consumer discretionary sectors.

Growth stocks exhibited strength over the 12-month period, as evidenced by the Russell 3000 Growth Index’s 16.37% return.

Corporate earnings growth and favorable monetary policy helped drive the impressive results. Strong gains were visible across several market sectors, despite fluctuations in the U.S. economy and ongoing concerns regarding economic conditions outside the U.S. We continued to focus on companies with the potential to thrive in a variety of economic environments through company-specific catalysts.

 

Ten largest holdings7 (%) as of July 31, 2015  

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

     4.05   

Google Incorporated Class A

     3.05   

Facebook Incorporated Class A

     2.64   

Apple Incorporated

     2.52   

Alliance Data Systems Corporation

     2.47   

MasterCard Incorporated Class A

     2.26   

Microchip Technology Incorporated

     2.21   

Dollar Tree Incorporated

     2.20   

Union Pacific Corporation

     2.12   

LKQ Corporation

     1.95   

 

Sector distribution8 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

Stock selection within the energy and industrials sectors hindered the Fund’s relative performance.

Within the energy sector, exploration and production (E&P) holdings, including Pioneer Natural Resources Company, experienced share-price weakness in the midst of a significant decline in crude-oil prices. We recently reduced the Fund’s weighting to the energy sector due to our concern that some E&P companies were moving too quickly to ramp up production in light of the low expectations for crude-oil and natural gas prices. Within the industrials sector, the Fund’s railroad holdings suffered overall from declining transportation volumes in areas such as coal and from items related to energy infrastructure. Railroads continue to be challenged by lower-than-expected volumes driven primarily by decreased demand for coal. Although our long-term thesis—predicated on cost efficiencies, diversified product mixes, and pricing power—remains intact, we trimmed the sizes of some positions as a risk adjustment while we work through these transitory issues.

The Fund benefited from solid performance by holdings with strong secular growth in the health care and consumer discretionary sectors.

Within the health care sector, the Fund’s biotechnology holdings advanced significantly over this period. Key contributors benefited from multiple catalysts, including strong sales growth of existing medical solutions, promising pipeline developments, FDA drug approvals, and favorable merger and acquisition activity. Regeneron

 

Pharmaceuticals Incorporated delivered strong sales growth and received approval for an additional application of EYLEA, its key medical solution, for treating diabetic macular edema. Synageva BioPharma Corporation and NPS Pharmaceuticals Incorporated advanced strongly over the period as they were acquired for attractive premiums. Biotechnology remains one of our largest overweight positions in the Fund; many holdings within this industry have continued to trade at valuations that we view as attractive relative to the growth they could generate in coming years. The Fund also delivered outperformance in the consumer discretionary sector, due partly to Dollar Tree Incorporated,

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


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Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     7   

and Tractor Supply Company. Dollar Tree benefited from same-store sales growth, an increased store count, and anticipated synergies from its pending acquisition of Family Dollar Stores Incorporated. Tractor Supply advanced 50% during the period, driven by strong customer demand for its differentiated product offerings.

Our outlook remains positive.

We believe the Fed is likely to exercise prudence in raising interest rates, taking relevant factors into consideration in making these decisions. Given the U.S. dollar’s current strength relative to other currencies and the low-interest-rate environment in much of the world, we anticipate that any rate increases implemented in the U.S. likely will be accompanied by meaningful expansion in the U.S. economy. Growth stocks tend to be challenged in a rising-interest-rate environment; however, given many investors’ pervasive thirst for dividend yield at times over the past few years, we believe a measured rise in interest rates could lead investors to continue refocusing on companies with strong growth fundamentals, which could be a positive for the Fund.

We continue to feel comfortable with the valuations of the rapidly growing companies within the Fund relative to the valuations of their slower-growing counterparts. Holdings in a variety of sectors have either met or exceeded consensus expectations. For example, data analytics and security holdings within the information technology sector have continued to deliver strong results. Also within this sector, companies using cloud-based architecture to create efficiencies for businesses through online service platforms have added value as many firms have adopted new technology infrastructures. Overall, many of the Fund’s holdings have been trading at valuations close to their average historical levels and remain attractive to us relative to the rest of the market.

Going forward, investors may further recognize the growth potential of the Fund’s holdings and reward them accordingly, especially as higher interest rates make slower-growing, higher-dividend-yielding stocks less attractive. We believe our investment style—seeking robust growth companies with sustainable business models that are underappreciated by investors—positions us well to take advantage of future opportunities within the market.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


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8   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Fund expenses (unaudited)

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

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from February 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

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

 

     Beginning
account value
2-1-2015
    

Ending
account value

7-31-2015

     Expenses
paid during
the period1
     Net annualized
expense ratio
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,094.65       $ 6.08         1.17

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,018.99       $ 5.86         1.17

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,090.66       $ 9.95         1.92

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,015.27       $ 9.59         1.92

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,096.00       $ 4.99         0.96

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,020.03       $ 4.81         0.96

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,096.95       $ 3.90         0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,021.08       $ 3.76         0.75

Investor Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,094.38       $ 6.44         1.24

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,018.65       $ 6.21         1.24

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     9   

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  

Common Stocks: 98.55%

          

Consumer Discretionary: 23.34%

          
Auto Components: 0.89%           

BorgWarner Incorporated

          246,000       $ 12,228,660   

Delphi Automotive plc

          1,016,510         79,369,101   
             91,597,761   
          

 

 

 
Distributors: 1.95%           

LKQ Corporation †

          6,362,750         200,172,115   
          

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 1.65%           

Grand Canyon Education Incorporated †(l)

          3,903,000         169,507,290   
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 5.68%           

Chipotle Mexican Grill Incorporated †

          188,050         139,576,352   

Fiesta Restaurant Group Incorporated †(l)

          2,098,000         121,956,740   

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Incorporated †

          1,922,000         51,605,700   

Jack in the Box Incorporated

          751,000         71,345,000   

Starbucks Corporation

          3,409,720         197,525,080   
             582,008,872   
          

 

 

 
Household Durables: 0.27%           

Harman International Industries Incorporated

          252,800         27,216,448   
          

 

 

 
Internet & Catalog Retail: 1.98%           

Amazon.com Incorporated †

          369,930         198,337,970   

The Priceline Group Incorporated †

          3,610         4,489,288   
             202,827,258   
          

 

 

 
Media: 1.28%           

The Walt Disney Company

          1,092,810         131,137,200   
          

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 3.47%           

Burlington Stores Incorporated †

          2,358,100         129,789,824   

Dollar Tree Incorporated †

          2,894,660         225,870,320   
             355,660,144   
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 4.73%           

Boot Barn Holdings Incorporated †

          88,300         2,790,280   

CarMax Incorporated †

          2,690,000         173,531,900   

Five Below Incorporated †

          2,468,378         91,009,097   

Tractor Supply Company

          2,132,230         197,273,920   

ULTA Salon, Cosmetics and Fragrance Incorporated †

          123,000         20,421,690   
             485,026,887   
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 1.44%           

Skechers U.S.A. Incorporated Class A †

          367,489         55,288,720   

Under Armour Incorporated Class A †

          924,000         91,780,920   
             147,069,640   
          

 

 

 

 

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


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10   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  

Consumer Staples: 3.33%

          
Food & Staples Retailing: 2.55%           

Costco Wholesale Corporation

          583,270       $ 84,749,131   

Sprouts Farmers Market Incorporated †

          6,850,000         167,962,000   

United Natural Foods Incorporated †

          204,266         9,300,231   
             262,011,362   
          

 

 

 
Food Products: 0.03%           

Blue Buffalo Pet Products Incorporated †

          107,298         2,997,906   
          

 

 

 
Personal Products: 0.75%           

The Estee Lauder Companies Incorporated Class A

          859,550         76,594,501   
          

 

 

 

Energy: 1.57%

          
Energy Equipment & Services: 0.02%           

Oil States International Incorporated †

          69,000         2,077,590   
          

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.55%           

Concho Resources Incorporated †

          1,212,000         129,150,720   

Memorial Resource Development Corporation †

          256,095         3,918,254   

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

          193,000         24,466,610   

Whiting Petroleum Corporation †

          51,000         1,044,990   
             158,580,574   
          

 

 

 

Financials: 4.65%

          
Capital Markets: 2.91%           

Financial Engines Incorporated «

          1,000,490         45,882,471   

Raymond James Financial Incorporated

          1,047,000         61,773,000   

TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation

          5,194,630         190,798,760   
             298,454,231   
          

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 1.74%           

MarketAxess Holdings Incorporated

          1,817,130         177,715,314   
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 21.95%

          
Biotechnology: 12.70%           

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          2,104,456         415,503,793   

Biogen Idec Incorporated †

          320,700         102,232,746   

Celgene Corporation †

          1,149,860         150,919,125   

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

          1,184,670         139,625,206   

Incyte Corporation †

          418,000         43,589,040   

Intercept Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          83,000         21,896,230   

Medivation Incorporated †

          926,820         97,621,951   

PTC Therapeutics Incorporated †

          703,000         36,000,630   

Receptos Incorporated †

          237,000         54,002,820   

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          356,910         197,606,791   

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Incorporated †

          353,000         42,688,290   
             1,301,686,622   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     11   

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 1.68%           

Align Technology Incorporated †

          361,000       $ 22,634,700   

Intuitive Surgical Incorporated †

          103,000         54,916,510   

Medtronic plc

          1,206,951         94,612,889   
             172,164,099   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 3.11%           

Acadia Healthcare Company Incorporated †

          557,475         44,475,356   

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

          1,308,840         138,409,830   

Envision Healthcare Holdings Incorporated †

          2,650,990         118,764,352   

VCA Incorporated †

          270,824         16,663,801   
             318,313,339   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Technology: 2.32%           

Cerner Corporation †

          1,818,000         130,386,960   

Inovalon Holdings Incorporated Ǡ(l)

          1,629,037         39,357,534   

Veeva Systems Incorporated Class A †

          2,525,000         67,973,000   
             237,717,494   
          

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 1.33%           

Mettler-Toledo International Incorporated †

          291,240         98,322,624   

Quintiles Transnational Holdings Incorporated †

          499,360         38,310,899   
             136,633,523   
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 0.81%           

Perrigo Company plc

          433,970         83,409,034   
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 9.37%

          
Aerospace & Defense: 0.92%           

The Boeing Company

          350,350         50,509,960   

United Technologies Corporation

          434,580         43,592,720   
             94,102,680   
          

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics: 0.94%           

United Parcel Service Incorporated Class B

          941,000         96,320,760   
          

 

 

 
Building Products: 0.58%           

A.O. Smith Corporation

          835,170         59,981,909   
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 1.53%           

KAR Auction Services Incorporated

          1,219,000         47,455,670   

Waste Connections Incorporated

          2,192,850         109,927,571   
             157,383,241   
          

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates: 0.21%           

Danaher Corporation

          232,440         21,282,206   
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 0.41%           

ITT Corporation

          1,103,000         41,914,000   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

12   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Road & Rail: 4.78%           

Genesee & Wyoming Incorporated Class A †

          1,191,490       $ 84,857,918   

Kansas City Southern

          1,010,000         100,181,900   

Norfolk Southern Corporation

          1,032,390         87,061,449   

Union Pacific Corporation

          2,227,940         217,424,665   
             489,525,932   
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 32.28%

          
Communications Equipment: 0.63%           

Arista Networks Incorporated Ǡ

          372,810         31,491,261   

QUALCOMM Incorporated

          514,370         33,120,284   
             64,611,545   
          

 

 

 
Internet Software & Services: 12.34%           

Akamai Technologies Incorporated †

          2,221,000         170,372,910   

CoStar Group Incorporated †

          445,950         89,765,276   

Demandware Incorporated †

          493,040         37,254,102   

Envestnet Incorporated †(l)

          3,268,908         148,048,843   

Everyday Health Incorporated †

          337,000         4,000,190   

Facebook Incorporated Class A †

          2,879,760         270,726,238   

Google Incorporated Class A †

          475,770         312,818,775   

Google Incorporated Class C †

          56,681         35,460,200   

HomeAway Incorporated †

          1,744,980         52,419,199   

New Relic Incorporated †

          1,010,000         35,148,000   

Shutterstock Incorporated Ǡ(l)

          2,028,000         108,356,040   
             1,264,369,773   
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 7.64%           

Alliance Data Systems Corporation †

          921,603         253,477,689   

Global Payments Incorporated

          449,000         50,328,410   

MasterCard Incorporated Class A

          2,381,880         231,995,112   

Vantiv Incorporated Class A †

          1,595,690         70,210,360   

Visa Incorporated Class A

          2,350,300         177,071,602   
             783,083,173   
          

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 2.62%           

Microchip Technology Incorporated

          5,280,260         226,206,338   

Silicon Laboratories Incorporated †

          935,818         42,102,452   
             268,308,790   
          

 

 

 
Software: 6.53%           

Adobe Systems Incorporated †

          273,080         22,389,829   

Fleetmatics Group plc †

          119,000         5,696,530   

Fortinet Incorporated †

          1,946,910         92,945,483   

Paycom Software Incorporated †

          1,394,440         44,622,080   

Paylocity Holding Corporation †

          1,014,485         36,440,301   

Proofpoint Incorporated †

          842,000         54,477,400   

Salesforce.com Incorporated †

          838,000         61,425,400   

ServiceNow Incorporated †

          897,200         72,224,600   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     13   

      

 

 

Security name              Shares      Value  
Software (continued)          

Splunk Incorporated †

         1,547,912       $ 108,260,965   

Synchronoss Technologies Incorporated †

         567,960         27,148,488   

Tableau Software Incorporated Class A †

         577,197         60,455,614   

Ultimate Software Group Incorporated †

         321,630         59,247,462   

VMware Incorporated Class A †

         269,480         24,018,752   
            669,352,904   
         

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 2.52%          

Apple Incorporated

         2,131,610         258,564,293   
         

 

 

 

Materials: 2.06%

         
Chemicals: 2.06%          

Airgas Incorporated

         488,670         49,854,113   

Ecolab Incorporated

         556,000         64,390,360   

Praxair Incorporated

         849,630         96,976,765   
            211,221,238   
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $6,126,015,391)

            10,100,601,648   
         

 

 

 
    Yield                    
Short-Term Investments: 2.90%          
Investment Companies: 2.90%          

Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (l)(r)(u)

    0.14        193,449,286         193,449,286   

Wells Fargo Advantage Cash Investment Money Market Fund, Select Class (l)(u)

    0.13           103,676,888         103,676,888   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $297,126,174)

            297,126,174   
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $6,423,141,565) *     101.45        10,397,727,822   

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (1.45        (148,781,257
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 10,248,946,565   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

(l) The security represents an affiliate of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

« All or a portion of this security is on loan.

 

(r) The investment is a non-registered investment vehicle purchased with cash collateral received from securities on loan.

 

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

 

* Cost for federal income tax purposes is $6,442,641,115 and unrealized gains (losses) consists of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 4,094,141,441   

Gross unrealized losses

     (139,054,734
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains

   $ 3,955,086,707   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

14   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Statement of assets and liabilities—July 31, 2015
         

Assets

 

Investments

 

In unaffiliated securities (including $191,132,649 of securities loaned), at value (cost $5,539,129,229)

  $ 9,513,375,201   

In affiliated securities, at value (cost $884,012,336)

    884,352,621   
 

 

 

 

Total investments, at value (cost $6,423,141,565)

    10,397,727,822   

Cash

    3,328,875   

Receivable for investments sold

    133,467,713   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    7,505,470   

Receivable for dividends

    1,336,230   

Receivable for securities lending income

    65,460   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    53,731   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    10,543,485,301   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    81,843,735   

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    9,778,634   

Payable upon receipt of securities loaned

    193,449,286   

Management fee payable

    5,704,945   

Distribution fee payable

    314,407   

Administration fees payable

    1,696,902   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    1,750,827   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    294,538,736   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 10,248,946,565   
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 5,482,067,706   

Accumulated net realized gains on investments

    792,292,602   

Net unrealized gains on investments

    3,974,586,257   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 10,248,946,565   
 

 

 

 

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 1,465,642,548   

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    29,607,334   

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $49.50   

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $52.52   

Net assets – Class C

  $ 465,832,534   

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    10,466,327   

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $44.51   

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 2,349,359,058   

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    44,448,696   

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $52.86   

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 3,863,195,993   

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    70,246,563   

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $54.99   

Net assets – Investor Class

  $ 2,104,916,432   

Shares outstanding – Investor Class1

    42,716,417   

Net asset value per share – Investor Class

    $49.28   

 

 

1  The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Statement of operations—year ended July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     15   
         

Investment income

 

Dividends

  $ 60,587,920   

Securities lending income, net

    1,805,195   

Income from affiliated securities

    69,389   
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    62,462,504   
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    70,494,708   

Administration fees

 

Class A

    4,240,123   

Class C

    1,275,846   

Administrator Class

    2,659,161   

Institutional Class

    3,194,854   

Investor Class

    6,939,158   

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    4,140,512   

Class C

    1,246,929   

Administrator Class

    6,465,866   

Investor Class

    5,412,705   

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    3,740,788   

Custody and accounting fees

    540,010   

Professional fees

    40,939   

Registration fees

    98,158   

Shareholder report expenses

    468,134   

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    10,313   

Other fees and expenses

    188,010   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    111,156,214   

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (1,899,546
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    109,256,668   
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (46,794,164
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS

 

Net realized gains on:

 

Unaffiliated securities

    1,210,971,663   

Affiliated securities

    8,398,491   
 

 

 

 

Net realized gains on investments

    1,219,370,154   
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on:

 

Unaffiliated securities

    322,133,509   

Affiliated securities

    6,704,475   
 

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    328,837,984   
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1,548,208,138   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 1,501,413,974   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

16   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Statement of changes in net assets
     Year ended
July 31, 2015
    Year ended
July 31, 2014
 

Operations

     

Net investment loss

    $ (46,794,164     $ (62,366,268

Net realized gains on investments

      1,219,370,154          1,343,449,019   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      328,837,984          (75,757,847
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      1,501,413,974          1,205,324,904   
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from

       

Net realized gains

       

Class A

      (231,582,982       (89,729,152

Class C

      (75,250,933       (23,545,922

Administrator Class

      (343,165,487       (118,713,858

Institutional Class

      (470,228,817       (93,848,760

Investor Class

      (300,177,941       (85,239,966
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (1,420,406,160       (411,077,658
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares          Shares     

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    3,096,946        149,093,930        6,002,013        300,443,610   

Class C

    687,649        28,728,045        807,695        37,350,141   

Administrator Class

    7,685,162        396,601,510        14,056,652        739,933,638   

Institutional Class

    29,073,710        1,572,598,987        15,992,448        869,345,348   

Investor Class

    1,516,862        73,282,154        3,721,720        184,011,064   
 

 

 

 
      2,220,304,626          2,131,083,801   
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    4,653,339        208,236,915        1,674,679        83,231,553   

Class C

    1,331,646        53,838,455        351,793        16,150,797   

Administrator Class

    6,824,589        325,601,120        2,144,767        112,428,674   

Institutional Class

    9,196,950        455,984,759        1,666,975        90,150,024   

Investor Class

    6,596,013        293,918,329        1,690,907        83,784,433   
 

 

 

 
      1,337,579,578          385,745,481   
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (19,102,932     (941,145,013     (19,450,696     (960,828,794

Class C

    (3,749,283     (167,465,881     (2,539,818     (116,715,446

Administrator Class

    (33,692,681     (1,742,600,427     (19,888,444     (1,043,440,117

Institutional Class

    (22,580,802     (1,219,410,764     (15,421,161     (835,534,173

Investor Class

    (10,699,627     (519,360,449     (9,522,188     (470,424,557
 

 

 

 
      (4,589,982,534       (3,426,943,087
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (1,032,098,330       (910,113,805
 

 

 

 

Total decrease in net assets

      (951,090,516       (115,866,559
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      11,200,037,081          11,315,903,640   
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 10,248,946,565        $ 11,200,037,081   
 

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss

    $ 0        $ (13,135,318
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     17   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS A   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $49.99        $46.74        $37.85        $35.88        $26.10   

Net investment loss

    (0.29 )1      (0.32 )1      (0.17 )1      (0.21 )1      (0.27 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    7.03        5.34        9.06        2.65        10.05   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.74        5.02        8.89        2.44        9.78   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (7.23     (1.77     0.00        (0.47     0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $49.50        $49.99        $46.74        $37.85        $35.88   

Total return2

    15.01     10.77     23.49     6.93     37.43

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.18     1.18     1.19     1.20     1.24

Net expenses

    1.18     1.18     1.19     1.20     1.24

Net investment loss

    (0.59 )%      (0.64 )%      (0.41 )%      (0.56 )%      (0.81 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    35     42     38     47     54

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $1,465,643        $2,047,410        $2,464,533        $2,265,845        $1,204,675   

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

18   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS C   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $45.95        $43.41        $35.42        $33.86        $24.81   

Net investment loss

    (0.60 )1      (0.64 )1      (0.45 )1      (0.46 )1      (0.51 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    6.39        4.95        8.44        2.49        9.56   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    5.79        4.31        7.99        2.03        9.05   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (7.23     (1.77     0.00        (0.47     0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $44.51        $45.95        $43.41        $35.42        $33.86   

Total return2

    14.16     9.96     22.56     6.12     36.44

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.93     1.93     1.94     1.95     1.99

Net expenses

    1.93     1.93     1.94     1.95     1.99

Net investment loss

    (1.34 )%      (1.39 )%      (1.16 )%      (1.32 )%      (1.57 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    35     42     38     47     54

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $465,833        $560,481        $589,402        $525,285        $233,114   

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     19   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $52.80        $49.16        $39.72        $37.54        $27.24   

Net investment loss

    (0.20 )1      (0.23     (0.08 )1      (0.13 )1      (0.18 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    7.49        5.64        9.52        2.78        10.48   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    7.29        5.41        9.44        2.65        10.30   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (7.23     (1.77     0.00        (0.47     0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $52.86        $52.80        $49.16        $39.72        $37.54   

Total return

    15.28     11.04     23.77     7.15     37.81

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.02     1.02     1.03     1.03     1.08

Net expenses

    0.96     0.96     0.96     0.96     0.96

Net investment loss

    (0.37 )%      (0.42 )%      (0.18 )%      (0.33 )%      (0.51 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    35     42     38     47     54

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $2,349,359        $3,359,480        $3,309,683        $2,984,775        $1,339,245   

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


Table of Contents

 

20   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $54.54        $50.63        $40.83        $38.49        $27.88   

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.09 )1      (0.13     0.01 1      (0.05 )1      (0.12 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    7.77        5.81        9.79        2.86        10.73   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    7.68        5.68        9.80        2.81        10.61   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (7.23     (1.77     0.00        (0.47     0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $54.99        $54.54        $50.63        $40.83        $38.49   

Total return

    15.53     11.26     24.03     7.37     38.06

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.76     0.75     0.76     0.77     0.81

Net expenses

    0.75     0.75     0.75     0.76     0.80

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.17 )%      (0.21 )%      0.02     (0.13 )%      (0.35 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    35     42     38     47     54

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $3,863,196        $2,975,721        $2,649,095        $2,312,074        $992,748   

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


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Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     21   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INVESTOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $49.82        $46.61        $37.77        $35.83        $26.09   

Net investment loss

    (0.32 )1      (0.43     (0.19 )1      (0.23 )1      (0.28 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    7.01        5.41        9.03        2.64        10.02   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.69        4.98        8.84        2.41        9.74   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (7.23     (1.77     0.00        (0.47     0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $49.28        $49.82        $46.61        $37.77        $35.83   

Total return

    14.96     10.71     23.40     6.85     37.29

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.24     1.24     1.25     1.26     1.31

Net expenses

    1.24     1.24     1.25     1.26     1.31

Net investment loss

    (0.66 )%      (0.70 )%      (0.47 )%      (0.64 )%      (0.85 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    35     42     38     47     54

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $2,104,916        $2,256,945        $2,303,191        $2,207,964        $1,707,285   

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


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22   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Notes to financial statements

1. ORGANIZATION

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

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time).

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

Equity securities that are not listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market, but have a public trading market, are valued at the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer that the Management Valuation Team of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”) has determined is an acceptable source.

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

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

Valuations of fair valued securities are compared to the next actual sales price when available, or other appropriate market values, to assess the continued appropriateness of the fair valuation methodologies used. These securities are fair valued on a day-to-day basis, taking into consideration changes to appropriate market information and any significant changes to the inputs considered in the valuation process until there is a readily available price provided on an exchange or by an independent pricing service. Valuations received from an independent pricing service or independent broker-dealer quotes are periodically validated by comparisons to most recent trades and valuations provided by other independent pricing services in addition to the review of prices by the manager and/or subadviser. Unobservable inputs used in determining fair valuations are identified based on the type of security, taking into consideration factors utilized by market participants in valuing the investment, knowledge about the issuer and the current market environment.

Security loans

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Fund continues to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The Fund receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund will be affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In addition, the investment of any cash collateral received may lose all or part of its value. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     23   

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). The Securities Lending Fund is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act and is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”). Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser. The Securities Lending Fund seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments. Securities Lending Fund investments are fair valued based upon the amortized cost valuation technique. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund is included in securities lending income on the Statement of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

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

Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Such distributions are determined in conformity with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Federal and other taxes

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

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

Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under federal income tax regulations. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. The primary permanent differences causing such reclassifications are due to dividends from certain securities and net operating losses. At July 31, 2015, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Accumulated net

investment loss

   Accumulated net
realized gains
on investments
$59,929,482    $(59,929,482)

Class allocations

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

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the


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24   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Notes to financial statements

lowest priority to significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

n   Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

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

 

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

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of July 31, 2015:

 

     Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Consumer discretionary

   $ 2,392,223,615       $ 0       $ 0       $ 2,392,223,615   

Consumer staples

     341,603,769         0         0         341,603,769   

Energy

     160,658,164         0         0         160,658,164   

Financials

     476,169,545         0         0         476,169,545   

Health care

     2,249,924,111         0         0         2,249,924,111   

Industrials

     960,510,728         0         0         960,510,728   

Information technology

     3,308,290,478         0         0         3,308,290,478   

Materials

     211,221,238         0         0         211,221,238   

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     103,676,888         193,449,286         0         297,126,174   

Total assets

   $ 10,204,278,536       $ 193,449,286       $ 0       $ 10,397,727,822   

The Fund recognizes transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period. At July 31, 2015, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the applicable subadviser, providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations, and providing any other fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual management fee starting at 0.80% and declining to 0.555% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. For the period from December 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, Funds Management was entitled to receive an annual fee which started at 0.75% and declined to 0.525% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. From August 1, 2014 through November 30, 2014, Funds Management received an annual advisory fee which started at 0.75% and declined to 0.55% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. In addition, prior to July 1, 2015, fund-level administrative services were provided by Funds Management under a separate administration agreement at an annual fee which started at 0.05% and declined to 0.03% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.66% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For financial statement purposes, advisory fees and fund-level administration fees for the year ended July 31, 2015 have been included in management fee on the Statement of Operations.


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     25   

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. WellsCap, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.45% and declining to 0.30% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Administration fees

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

 

     Class-level administration fee  
     Current rate        Rate prior to
July 1, 2015
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21        0.26

Administrator Class

     0.13           0.10   

Institutional Class

     0.13           0.08   

Investor Class

     0.32           0.32   

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed advisory and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. Waiver of fees and/or reimbursement of expenses by Funds Management were made first from fund level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. Funds Management has committed through November 30, 2015 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.21% for Class A shares, 1.96% for Class C shares, 0.96% for Administrator Class shares, 0.75% for Institutional Class shares, and 1.27% for Investor Class shares. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

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

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended July 31, 2015, Funds Distributor received $25,659 from the sale of Class A shares and $1,788 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, Administrator Class, and Investor Class of the Fund is charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class.

A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended July 31 2015 were $3,708,466,015 and $6,154,989,275, respectively.


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26   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Notes to financial statements

6. INVESTMENTS IN AFFILIATES

An affiliated investment is a company which is under common ownership or control of the Fund or which the Fund has ownership of at least 5% of the outstanding voting shares. The following is a summary of transactions for the long-term holdings of issuers that were either affiliates of the Fund at the beginning of the period or the end of the period.

 

    Shares,
beginning
of period
    Shares
purchased
    Shares
sold
   

Shares, end

of period

   

Value, end

of period

   

Income

from
affiliated

securities

   

Realized

gains

(losses)

 

Annie’s Incorporated*

    909,470        0        909,470        0      $ 0      $ 0      $ (222,642

Envestnet Incorporated

    2,546,800        772,308        50,200        3,268,908        148,048,843        0        (4,129

Fiesta Restaurant Group Incorporated

    0        2,098,000        0        2,098,000        121,956,740        0        0   

Five Below Incorporated*

    3,193,226        471,000        1,195,848        2,468,378        91,009,097        0        (11,036,452

Fleetmatics Group plc*

    2,214,300        0        2,095,300        119,000        5,696,530        0        20,842,066   

Grand Canyon Education Incorporated

    2,459,000        1,574,629        130,629        3,903,000        169,507,290        0        (220,323

Inovalon Holdings Incorporated

    0        1,659,037        30,000        1,629,037        39,357,534        0        (128,845

Shutterstock Incorporated

    613,378        1,582,912        168,290        2,028,000        108,356,040        0        (831,184
                            $ 0      $ 8,398,491   

 

* No longer an affiliate of the Fund at the end of the period.

7. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds and certain other funds in the Trust) and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $150,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.10% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the Fund paid $15,817 in commitment fees.

For the year ended July 31, 2015, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

8. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended July 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Year ended July 31  
     2015      2014  

Ordinary income

   $ 0       $ 33,616,684   

Long-term capital gain

     1,420,406,160         377,460,974   

As of July 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
ordinary
income
   Undistributed
long-term
gain
  

Unrealized
gains

$22,940,734    $788,851,418    $3,955,086,707

9. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

10. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.


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Report of independent registered public accounting firm   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     27   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund (the “Fund”), one of the funds constituting the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, as of July 31, 2015, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of July 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund as of July 31, 2015, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

September 23, 2015


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28   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

TAX INFORMATION

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $1,420,406,160 was designated as long-term capital gain distributions for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

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

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The complete portfolio holdings for the Fund are publicly available monthly on the Fund’s website (wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com), on a one-month delayed basis. In addition, top ten holdings information (excluding derivative positions) for the Fund is publicly available on the Fund’s website on a monthly, seven-day or more delayed basis. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which is available by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and at regional offices in New York City, at 233 Broadway, and in Chicago, at 175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     29   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds, which consists of 133 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Other
directorships during
past five years
William R. Ebsworth
(Born 1957)
  Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director at Fidelity Management and Research Company and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Mr. Ebsworth is an Adjunct Lecturer, Finance, at Babson College and a Chartered Financial Analyst.   Asset Allocation Trust
Jane A. Freeman
(Born 1953)
  Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is a Chartered Financial Analyst (inactive), Chair of Taproot Foundation (non-profit organization) and a Board Member of Ruth Bancroft Garden (non-profit organization).   Asset Allocation Trust
Peter G. Gordon
(Born 1942)
  Trustee, since 1998; Chairman, since 2005   Co-Founder, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser Water Company. Trustee Emeritus, Colby College.   Asset Allocation Trust
Isaiah Harris, Jr.
(Born 1952)
  Trustee, since 2009   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy. Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant.   CIGNA Corporation; Asset Allocation Trust
Judith M. Johnson
(Born 1949)
  Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   Asset Allocation Trust
David F. Larcker
(Born 1950)
  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Morgan Stanley Director of the Center for Leadership Development and Research and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   Asset Allocation Trust


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30   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)
Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Other
directorships during
past five years
Olivia S. Mitchell
(Born 1953)
  Trustee, since 2006   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   Asset Allocation Trust
Timothy J. Penny
(Born 1951)
  Trustee, since 1996   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007 and Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   Asset Allocation Trust
Michael S. Scofield
(Born 1943)
  Trustee, since 2010   Served on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 2008-2011 as well the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council from 2006-2011 and the Independent Directors Council Executive Committee from 2008-2011. Chairman of the IDC from 2008-2010. Institutional Investor (Fund Directions) Trustee of Year in 2007. Trustee of the Evergreen Funds complex (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010. Chairman of the Evergreen Funds from 2000-2010. Former Trustee of the Mentor Funds. Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.   Asset Allocation Trust
Donald C. Willeke
(Born 1940)
  Trustee, since 1996   Principal of the law firm of Willeke & Daniels. General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1984 until its consolidation into the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010. Director and Vice Chair of The Tree Trust (non-profit corporation). Director of the American Chestnut Foundation (non-profit corporation).   Asset Allocation Trust

 

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

 

** William R. Ebsworth and Jane A. Freeman each became a Trustee effective January 1, 2015.

Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer    
Karla M. Rabusch
(Born 1959)
  President, since 2003   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2003.    
Jeremy DePalma1
(Born 1974)
  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2007. Head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.    
C. David Messman
(Born 1960)
  Secretary, since 2000; Chief Legal Officer, since 2003   Senior Vice President and Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2001. Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2013 and Vice President and Managing Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank N.A. from 1996 to 2013.    
Debra Ann Early
(Born 1964)
  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2007   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2007 and Chief Compliance Officer from 2007 to 2014. Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2005 to 2007. Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2004 to 2007 and Senior Audit Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1998 to 2004.    
David Berardi
(Born 1975)
  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Assistant Vice President of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2008. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.    

 

 

1 Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 61 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 72 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

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


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     31   

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

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at an in-person meeting held on May 19-20, 2015 (the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); (ii) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Funds Management; and (iii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Fund’s Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) applicable to Fund-level administrative services. The Advisory Agreement, the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at an in-person meeting in March 2015, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2015. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Funds Management, and the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board noted that the services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement combined the advisory services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Fund-level administrative services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Administration Agreement. The Board received a representation from Funds Management that combining these services would not result in any change to the nature or level of services provided by Funds Management to the Fund.

The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance


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32   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund performance and expenses

The Board considered the performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended March 31, 2015. The Board considered these results in comparison to the performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Lipper is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the performance of the Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than the average performance of the Universe for all periods under review except the one- and three-year periods. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was higher than its benchmark, the Russell 3000® Growth Index, for all periods under review except the one- and three-year periods.

The Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Fund relative to the Universe and benchmark for the periods noted above. The Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance in these periods, including with respect to market factors that affected the Fund’s performance and of longer term and recent outperformance.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees (which reflect fee waivers, if any, and include advisory, administration and transfer agent fees), custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Lipper to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Lipper reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than, equal to, or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups. The Board discussed and accepted Funds Management’s proposal to convert the Investor Class shares into Class A shares

The Board took into account the Fund performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement and approve the Management Agreement.

Investment advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rates that are payable by the Fund to Funds Management for investment advisory services (the “Advisory Agreement Rates”), both on a stand-alone basis and on a combined basis with the Fund’s fund-level and class-level contractual administration fee rates (the “Management Rates”). The Board noted that the Management Rates include transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs. The Board also noted that the fee rate to be paid by the Fund under the Management Agreement will incorporate the advisory fee and Fund-level administration fee previously payable separately by the Fund under the Fund’s Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement with Funds Management. The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rates”).

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Management Rates of the Fund with those of other funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were lower than or in range of the average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total advisory fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. However, given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of the advisory fee between them.

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


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund     33   

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable, in light of the services covered by the Advisory Agreements.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of Wells Fargo as a whole, from providing services to the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board also received and considered information concerning the profitability of the Sub-Adviser from providing services to the fund family as a whole, noting that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund was subsumed in the Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

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

Economies of scale

With respect to possible economies of scale, the Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory and management fee structures, and the Fund’s administration fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size. It considered that, for a small fund or a fund that shrinks in size, breakpoints conversely can result in higher fee levels. The Board also considered that fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements and competitive fee rates at the outset are means of sharing potential economies of scale with shareholders of the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board considered Funds Management’s view that any analyses of potential economies of scale in managing a particular fund are inherently limited in light of the joint and common costs and investments that Funds Management incurs across the fund family as a whole.

The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee and expense arrangements, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

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

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

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

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.


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34   Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Fund   List of abbreviations

The following is a list of common abbreviations for terms and entities that may have appeared in this report.

 

ACA —  ACA Financial Guaranty Corporation
ADR —  American depositary receipt
ADS —  American depositary shares
AGC —  Assured Guaranty Corporation
AGM —  Assured Guaranty Municipal
Ambac —  Ambac Financial Group Incorporated
AMT —  Alternative minimum tax
AUD —  Australian dollar
BAN —  Bond anticipation notes
BHAC —  Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation
BRL —  Brazilian real
CAB —  Capital appreciation bond
CAD —  Canadian dollar
CCAB —  Convertible capital appreciation bond
CDA —  Community Development Authority
CDO —  Collateralized debt obligation
CHF —  Swiss franc
COP —  Colombian peso
CLP —  Chilean peso
DKK —  Danish krone
DRIVER —  Derivative inverse tax-exempt receipts
DW&P —  Department of Water & Power
DWR —  Department of Water Resources
ECFA —  Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority
EDA —  Economic Development Authority
EDFA —  Economic Development Finance Authority
ETF —  Exchange-traded fund
EUR —  Euro
FDIC —  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FFCB —  Federal Farm Credit Banks
FGIC —  Financial Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FHA —  Federal Housing Administration
FHLB —  Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC —  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FICO —  The Financing Corporation
FNMA —  Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA —  Farm Service Agency
GBP —  Great British pound
GDR —  Global depositary receipt
GNMA —  Government National Mortgage Association
GO —  General obligation
HCFR —  Healthcare facilities revenue
HEFA —  Health & Educational Facilities Authority
HEFAR —  Higher education facilities authority revenue
HFA —  Housing Finance Authority
HFFA —  Health Facilities Financing Authority
HKD —  Hong Kong dollar
HUD —  Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUF —  Hungarian forint
IDA —  Industrial Development Authority
IDAG —  Industrial Development Agency
IDR —  Indonesian rupiah
IEP —  Irish pound
JPY —  Japanese yen
KRW —  Republic of Korea won
LIBOR —  London Interbank Offered Rate
LIFER —  Long Inverse Floating Exempt Receipts
LIQ —  Liquidity agreement
LLC —  Limited liability company
LLLP —  Limited liability limited partnership
LLP —  Limited liability partnership
LOC —  Letter of credit
LP —  Limited partnership
MBIA —  Municipal Bond Insurance Association
MFHR —  Multifamily housing revenue
MSTR —  Municipal securities trust receipts
MTN —  Medium-term note
MUD —  Municipal Utility District
MXN —  Mexican peso
MYR —  Malaysian ringgit
National —  National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation
NGN —  Nigerian naira
NOK —  Norwegian krone
NZD —  New Zealand dollar
PCFA —  Pollution Control Financing Authority
PCL —  Public Company Limited
PCR —  Pollution control revenue
PFA —  Public Finance Authority
PFFA —  Public Facilities Financing Authority
PFOTER —  Puttable floating option tax-exempt receipts
plc —  Public limited company
PLN —  Polish zloty
PUTTER —  Puttable tax-exempt receipts
R&D —  Research & development
Radian —  Radian Asset Assurance
RAN —  Revenue anticipation notes
RDA —  Redevelopment Authority
RDFA —  Redevelopment Finance Authority
REIT —  Real estate investment trust
ROC —  Reset option certificates
RON —  Romanian lei
RUB —  Russian ruble
SAVRS —  Select auction variable rate securities
SBA —  Small Business Authority
SDR —  Swedish depositary receipt
SEK —  Swedish krona
SFHR —  Single-family housing revenue
SFMR —  Single-family mortgage revenue
SGD —  Singapore dollar
SPA —  Standby purchase agreement
SPDR —  Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts
SPEAR —   Short Puttable Exempt Adjustable Receipts
STRIPS —  Separate trading of registered interest and
           principal securities
TAN —  Tax anticipation notes
TBA —  To be announced
THB —  Thai baht
TIPS —  Treasury inflation-protected securities
TRAN —  Tax revenue anticipation notes
TRY —  Turkish lira
TTFA —  Transportation Trust Fund Authority
TVA —  Tennessee Valley Authority
ZAR —  South African rand
 


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LOGO

 

 

LOGO

For more information

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

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

P.O. Box 8266

Boston, MA 02266-8266

Email: wfaf@wellsfargo.com

Website: wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

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

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, provides investment advisory and administrative services for Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. Other affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company provide subadvisory and other services for the Funds. The Funds are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE

© 2015 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

LOGO     

236194 09-15

A206/AR206 07-15


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Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund

 

LOGO

 

Annual Report

July 31, 2015

 

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Reduce clutter. Save trees.

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

Contents

 

 

 

Letter to shareholders

    2   

Performance highlights

    4   

Fund expenses

    8   

Portfolio of investments

    9   
Financial statements  

Statement of assets and liabilities

    12   

Statement of operations

    13   

Statement of changes in net assets

    14   

Financial highlights

    15   

Notes to financial statements

    23   

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

    28   

Other information

    29   

List of abbreviations

    35   

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of July 31, 2015, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements; the views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE



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2   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period

 

 

Dear Valued Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015. Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period (as measured by the S&P 500 Index1). In contrast, many economies and markets elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges.

Positive U.S. economic data but increased tensions abroad led to heightened market volatility in the last five months of 2014.

Following a negative monthly return for July 2014, the S&P 500 Index bounced back in August on a string of positive economic news, led by a 4.2% revised second-quarter 2014 gross domestic product (GDP) reading. The S&P 500 Index gave back some of its August gains in September, however; stock market volatility increased as positive economic data became overshadowed at times by growing discomfort over escalating tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East and slowing growth in Europe and China. Ultimately, U.S. stocks ended the third quarter up slightly overall, buoyed largely by strong corporate earnings and another upward revision of second-quarter GDP growth (to 4.6%).

The fourth quarter of 2014 brought continued improvement in the U.S.; international economies remained challenged. Strong fourth-quarter results by U.S. stocks helped the S&P 500 Index deliver more than 50 record closes in 2014. The last several, in December, were spurred by investor optimism following U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Janet Yellen’s comment that the Fed would be patient in its timing of an interest-rate increase. U.S. stocks also were boosted by positive economic data; November’s 5.8% unemployment rate was down from 7.0% a year earlier, and the number of jobs being added continued to expand. In addition, the U.S. economy’s third-quarter growth rate was revised upward to 5.0% during the quarter, and U.S. companies continued to report strong earnings. The steadily brightening U.S. economy energized consumers, who were further buoyed by much lower prices at the gasoline pump. As the U.S. chugged forward, though, major economies elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges. While Japan eased out of a two-quarter contraction, growth in China continued to slow and Russia’s economy contracted for the first time since 2009. In the eurozone, growth remained sluggish; this situation was exacerbated in December by renewed concerns about Greece after its parliament failed to avert a general election that could jeopardize the country’s financial agreements with its creditors.

In the first quarter of 2015, U.S. large caps delivered positive results but underperformed small- and mid-cap stocks; major markets elsewhere rallied.

U.S. large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks tended to move similarly during the quarter until early March, when results began to diverge by market capitalization. Larger caps slipped that month as investor concern grew over the strengthening U.S. dollar’s potentially negative effect on the profits of large U.S. multinational firms; however, stocks of small and midsize companies, which tend to be less affected by movements in the dollar, performed better. Positive stock results were supported by a gradually improving U.S. economy. The labor market continued to grow, along with personal income and consumer confidence. For U.S. businesses, the quarter’s data were mixed; while many companies reported strong earnings, other data indicated potential weakening in manufacturing. Elsewhere in the world, major markets enjoyed positive returns spurred by accommodative monetary policies from major central banks and signs of improvement in some struggling economies.

 

 

 

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


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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     3   

U.S. large caps experienced challenges during the second quarter of 2015.

The S&P 500 Index fluctuated widely during this quarter, eventually eking out a 0.28% gain for the period. Larger-cap stocks at times were pressured by ongoing investor concerns over the potentially negative effects of financially troubled overseas economies and the strengthening U.S. dollar. The U.S. economy picked up traction during the quarter; consumer spending improved, and positive trends were evident in construction and new-home sales. Jobs growth remained a bright spot as well. Fed officials, who have kept interest rates low while waiting for the U.S. jobs market to sufficiently improve and for inflation to approach their 2% target, made clear that they could take action soon. Throughout the quarter, markets outside the U.S. continued to experience volatility, triggered by uncertainty over the potential impact of financial challenges in other locations—most notably in Greece and Puerto Rico. Questions over slower growth in China caused investor concern as well.

July 2015 brought a bounce-back for U.S. large caps.

U.S. large-cap stocks delivered 2.10% for the month (as measured by the S&P 500 Index). The boost was supported by encouraging U.S. economic data, including positive earnings reports from a range of U.S. companies, increased retail spending by U.S. consumers, and further improvement in the jobs market.

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

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

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

Notice to shareholders

At a meeting held on August 11–12, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change in the name of the Fund whereby the word “Advantage” will be removed from its name, effective December 15, 2015.

 

For current information about your fund investments, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


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4   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Metropolitan West Capital Management. LLC

Portfolio managers

Miguel E. Giaconi, CFA

Jean-Baptiste Nadal, CFA

Jeffrey Peck

Average annual total returns1 (%) as of July 31, 2015

 

        Including sales charge   Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)
    Inception date   1 year   5 year   Since inception   1 year     5 year     Since inception     Gross   Net3
Class A (EIVAX)   8-1-2006   2.91   12.98   7.58     9.19        14.32        8.29      1.17   1.11
Class B (EIVBX)*   8-1-2006   3.36   13.22   7.67     8.36        13.46        7.67      1.92   1.86
Class C (EIVCX)   8-1-2006   7.42   13.47   7.49     8.42        13.47        7.49      1.92   1.86
Class R (EIVTX)   3-1-2013           8.96        14.08        8.05      1.42   1.36
Class R4 (EIVRX)   11-30-2012           9.53        14.71        8.60      0.89   0.80
Class R6 (EIVFX)   11-30-2012           9.74        14.71        8.60      0.74   0.65
Administrator Class (EIVDX)   7-30-2010           9.42        14.58        8.48      1.09   0.95
Institutional Class (EIVIX)   8-1-2006           9.66        14.78        8.64      0.84   0.70
Russell 1000® Value Index4             6.40        15.08        6.30       
*   Class B shares are closed to investment, except in connection with the reinvestment of any distributions and permitted exchanges.

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

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

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class B shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 5.00%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R, Class R4, Class R6, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     5   
Growth of $10,000 investment5 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

 

 

1  Historical performance shown for Class R shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Institutional Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to Class R shares. Historical performance shown for Class R4 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Institutional Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to Class R4 shares. Historical performance shown for Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Institutional Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to Institutional Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns would be higher. Historical performance shown for Administrator Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Institutional Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to Administrator Class shares. Historical performance shown for all classes of the Fund prior to July 19, 2010, is based on the performance of the Fund’s predecessor, Evergreen Intrinsic Value Fund.

 

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

 

3  The manager has contractually committed through November 30, 2016, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at the amounts shown. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the cap. Without this cap, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.

 

4  The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 Index companies with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5  The chart compares the performance of Class A shares since inception with the Russell 1000 Value Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

6  The ten largest holdings, excluding cash and cash equivalents, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

7  Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

*  This security was not held in the Fund at the end of the reporting period.


Table of Contents

 

6   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

n   The Fund outperformed the Russell 1000 Value Index for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015.

 

n   Security selection in industrials and financials were the primary contributors to relative performance. An underweight to the worst-performing energy sector also added value. The positive impact of stock selection in financials, the second best performing sector, was partially offset by the Fund’s underweight to the sector. Meanwhile, stock selection in consumer staples detracted the most from the Fund’s relative performance.

 

n   Amid strong market performance, we adhered to our disciplined investment process. We continued to focus on individual companies rather than on broad, top-down economic or sector forecasts. In an attempt to manage risk, we maintained the Fund’s broad diversification by sector, industry, and position.

 

Ten largest holdings6 (%) as of July 31, 2015  

BB&T Corporation

     3.26   

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

     3.22   

The Boeing Company

     2.79   

Abbott Laboratories

     2.75   

The Walt Disney Company

     2.74   

Lockheed Martin Corporation

     2.71   

Time Warner Incorporated

     2.71   

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV ADR

     2.66   

The TJX Companies Incorporated

     2.57   

Honeywell International Incorporated

     2.54   

The Fund outperformed its benchmark for the reporting period.

Security selection in industrials and financials contributed to the Fund’s performance. The largest contributors in industrials were aircraft manufacturer The Boeing Company and shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries Incorporated*. Property and casualty insurance company The Chubb Corporation was the largest contributor to performance in financials.

On the negative side, stock selection in consumer staples detracted the most from relative return. The primary detractor was global leader in premium spirits Diageo plc.

 

 

During the period, we made changes to the Fund’s portfolio based upon our fundamental research.

As a result of trades, stock price movements, and the annual reconstitution of the Russell indexes, the Fund’s positioning relative to its benchmark shifted noticeably during the period. The Fund’s underweight to energy increased due to our reduced position in oil and gas exploration and production company Occidental Petroleum Corporation.

The Fund reduced its sizeable overweight to the consumer discretionary sector through the divestment of the world’s largest home-improvement retailer The Home Depot Incorporated; global auto supplier TRW Automotive Holdings Corporation; and luxury and sports and lifestyle conglomerate Kering, as well as trims of diversified entertainment provider The Walt Disney Company. Meanwhile, the Fund’s slight underweight to health care shifted to a slight overweight with the purchase of pharmaceutical company Merck & Company Incorporated, along with adds to research-based biopharmaceutical company AbbVie Incorporated. However, these purchases were partially offset by the sale of global, diversified health care company Baxter International Incorporated. A decrease in the Fund’s telecommunication services sector underweight resulted from the purchase of Verizon Communications Incorporated. In all cases, the trades were made based on fundamental, bottom-up research rather than top-down sector allocation decisions.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     7   
Sector distribution7 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

We continue to focus on our investment strategy and process.

The current environment possesses the risks of rising interest rates, decelerating earnings growth, and increasing equity market volatility. These factors have historically been beneficial to high-quality companies, as companies with strong free cash flow, shareholder-receptive management, and sufficient margins of safety can better navigate this riskier environment. At Metropolitan West Capital Management, LLC, we remain confident in the high-quality companies that the Fund owns. Furthermore, we believe our long-term focus on company fundamentals, our determination to seek out mispricing opportunities in the marketplace, and our ability to identify catalysts that will create or unlock value over our investment time horizon should continue to return value for shareholders over a complete market cycle.

 

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

8   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Fund expenses (unaudited)

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

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from February 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

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

 

     Beginning
account value
2-1-2015
     Ending
account value
7-31-2015
     Expenses
paid during
the period1
     Net annualized
expense ratio
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,074.33       $ 5.91         1.15

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,019.09       $ 5.76         1.15

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,069.51       $ 9.75         1.90

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,015.37       $ 9.49         1.90

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,070.01       $ 9.75         1.90

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,015.37       $ 9.49         1.90

Class R

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,073.04       $ 7.20         1.40

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,017.85       $ 7.00         1.40

Class R4

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,075.72       $ 4.12         0.80

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,020.83       $ 4.01         0.80

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,076.68       $ 3.35         0.65

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,021.57       $ 3.26         0.65

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,074.66       $ 4.89         0.95

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,020.08       $ 4.76         0.95

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,076.44       $ 3.60         0.70

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,021.32       $ 3.51         0.70

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     9   

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  

Common Stocks: 95.29%

          

Consumer Discretionary: 10.02%

          
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 2.00%           

Marriott International Incorporated Class A

          329,207       $ 23,903,720   
          

 

 

 
Media: 5.45%           

The Walt Disney Company

          272,955         32,754,600   

Time Warner Incorporated

          368,132         32,410,341   
             65,164,941   
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 2.57%           

The TJX Companies Incorporated

          440,420         30,750,124   
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 10.08%

          
Beverages: 5.78%           

Anheuser-Busch InBev NV ADR

          266,137         31,816,678   

Diageo plc ADR

          104,501         11,736,507   

PepsiCo Incorporated

          265,014         25,534,099   
             69,087,284   
          

 

 

 
Household Products: 2.21%           

The Procter & Gamble Company

          344,729         26,440,714   
          

 

 

 
Personal Products: 2.09%           

Unilever NV ADR

          557,522         24,993,711   
          

 

 

 

Energy: 7.93%

          
Energy Equipment & Services: 3.49%           

FMC Technologies Incorporated †

          531,692         17,418,230   

Schlumberger Limited

          293,330         24,293,591   
             41,711,821   
          

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 4.44%           

BG Group plc ADR

          928,502         15,942,379   

EOG Resources Incorporated

          331,535         25,591,187   

Occidental Petroleum Corporation

          164,901         11,576,050   
             53,109,616   
          

 

 

 

Financials: 19.70%

          
Banks: 7.51%           

BB&T Corporation

          966,524         38,921,921   

CIT Group Incorporated

          468,923         22,058,138   

SunTrust Banks Incorporated

          648,989         28,776,172   
             89,756,231   
          

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 9.70%           

Charles Schwab Corporation

          652,979         22,775,908   

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

          187,525         38,455,752   

Northern Trust Corporation

          385,920         29,519,021   

UBS Group AG

          1,096,434         25,283,768   
             116,034,449   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

10   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Consumer Finance: 1.14%           

Synchrony Financial Ǡ

          397,070       $ 13,643,325   
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 1.35%           

The Chubb Corporation

          129,682         16,123,363   
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 11.65%

          
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 2.76%           

Abbott Laboratories

          649,149         32,905,363   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 4.10%           

Cigna Corporation

          148,644         21,413,655   

Express Scripts Holding Company †

          306,766         27,630,414   
             49,044,069   
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 4.79%           

AbbVie Incorporated

          402,805         28,200,378   

Merck & Company Incorporated

          493,307         29,085,381   
             57,285,759   
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 12.52%

          
Aerospace & Defense: 8.04%           

Honeywell International Incorporated

          288,778         30,336,129   

Lockheed Martin Corporation

          156,704         32,453,398   

The Boeing Company

          231,082         33,315,092   
             96,104,619   
          

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics: 2.10%           

United Parcel Service Incorporated Class B

          244,920         25,070,011   
          

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 2.38%           

Sensata Technologies Holding NV †

          554,253         28,444,264   
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 16.03%

          
Communications Equipment: 3.47%           

Motorola Solutions Incorporated

          414,664         24,946,186   

QUALCOMM Incorporated

          256,611         16,523,182   
             41,469,368   
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 2.34%           

The Western Union Company

          1,383,849         28,009,104   
          

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 1.88%           

Texas Instruments Incorporated

          448,669         22,424,477   
          

 

 

 
Software: 4.58%           

Microsoft Corporation

          618,727         28,894,551   

Oracle Corporation

          647,324         25,854,121   
             54,748,672   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     11   

      

 

 

 

Security name              Shares      Value  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 3.76%          

Apple Incorporated

         203,348       $ 24,666,112   

EMC Corporation

         755,816         20,323,892   
            44,990,004   
         

 

 

 

Materials: 1.42%

         
Chemicals: 1.42%          

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company

         303,939         16,947,639   
         

 

 

 

Telecommunication Services: 1.83%

         
Diversified Telecommunication Services: 1.83%          

Verizon Communications Incorporated

         468,241         21,908,996   
         

 

 

 

Utilities: 4.11%

         
Electric Utilities: 4.11%          

Eversource Energy

         406,415         20,206,954   

NextEra Energy Incorporated

         274,840         28,913,169   
            49,120,123   
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $895,441,138)

            1,139,191,767   
         

 

 

 
    Yield                    
Short-Term Investments: 5.03%          
Investment Companies: 5.03%          

Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (l)(r)(u)

    0.14        7,206,500         7,206,500   

Wells Fargo Advantage Cash Investment Money Market Fund, Select Class (l)(u)

    0.13           52,947,155         52,947,155   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $60,153,655)

            60,153,655    
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $955,594,793) *     100.32        1,199,345,422   

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.32        (3,774,005
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 1,195,571,417   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

« All or a portion of this security is on loan.

 

(l) The security represents an affiliate of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

(r) The investment is a non-registered investment vehicle purchased with cash collateral received from securities on loan.

 

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

 

* Cost for federal income tax purposes is $955,885,729 and unrealized gains (losses) consists of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 264,034,743   

Gross unrealized losses

     (20,575,050
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains

   $ 243,459,693   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

12   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Statement of assets and liabilities—July 31, 2015
         

Assets

 

Investments

 

In unaffiliated securities (including $6,975,080 of securities loaned), at value (cost $895,441,138)

  $ 1,139,191,767   

In affiliated securities, at value (cost $60,153,655)

    60,153,655   
 

 

 

 

Total investments, at value (cost $955,594,793)

    1,199,345,422   

Receivable for investments sold

    3,700,789   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    175,696   

Receivable for dividends

    1,163,488   

Receivable for securities lending income

    2,733   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    62,448   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,204,450,576   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    438,085   

Payable upon receipt of securities loaned

    7,206,500   

Management fee payable

    619,092   

Distribution fees payable

    25,875   

Administration fees payable

    170,392   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    419,215   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    8,879,159   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,195,571,417   
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 867,138,490   

Undistributed net investment income

    6,065,222   

Accumulated net realized gains on investments

    78,617,076   

Net unrealized gains on investments

    243,750,629   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,195,571,417   
 

 

 

 

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 372,442,774   

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    27,131,094   

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $13.73   

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $14.57   

Net assets – Class B

  $ 1,946,531   

Shares outstanding – Class B1

    143,744   

Net asset value per share – Class B

    $13.54   

Net assets – Class C

  $ 36,098,273   

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    2,684,279   

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $13.45   

Net assets – Class R

  $ 41,031   

Shares outstanding – Class R1

    2,971   

Net asset value per share – Class R

    $13.81   

Net assets – Class R4

  $ 15,142   

Share outstanding – Class R41

    1,099   

Net asset value per share – Class R4

    $13.78   

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 169,339   

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    12,436   

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $13.62   

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 529,292,958   

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    37,141,187   

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $14.25   

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 255,565,369   

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    18,513,021   

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $13.80   

 

 

1  The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Statement of operations—year ended July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     13   
         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $333,057)

  $ 23,064,153   

Securities lending income, net

    47,916   

Income from affiliated securities

    37,369   
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    23,149,438   
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    8,281,889   

Administration fees

 

Class A

    992,856   

Class B

    7,362   

Class C

    94,176   

Class R

    88   

Class R4

    11   

Class R6

    49   

Administrator Class

    551,795   

Institutional Class

    211,851   

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    931,514   

Class B

    7,164   

Class C

    92,126   

Class R

    86   

Class R4

    15   

Administrator Class

    1,342,839   

Distribution fees

 

Class B

    21,492   

Class C

    276,379   

Class R

    86   

Custody and accounting fees

    61,026   

Professional fees

    42,910   

Registration fees

    98,323   

Shareholder report expenses

    106,412   

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    10,026   

Other fees and expenses

    22,968   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    13,153,443   

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (1,048,370
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    12,105,073   
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    11,044,365   
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS

 

Net realized gains on investments

    129,111,859   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (31,816,136
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    97,295,723   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 108,340,088   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

14   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Statement of changes in net assets
     Year ended
July 31, 2015
    Year ended
July 31, 2014
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 11,044,365        $ 8,246,287   

Net realized gains on investments

      129,111,859          77,209,900   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      (31,816,136       63,456,026   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      108,340,088          148,912,213   
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from

       

Net investment income

       

Class A

      (2,172,530       (1,863,705

Class R

      (81       0   

Class R4

      (130       (108

Class R6

      (2,896       (33,391

Administrator Class

      (4,135,495       (3,445,927

Institutional Class

      (2,556,860       (1,982,826

Net realized gains

       

Class A

      (27,285,622       (13,761,999

Class B

      (212,769       (178,855

Class C

      (2,625,365       (1,277,956

Class R

      (2,211       (749

Class R4

      (1,003       (494

Class R6

      (11,038       (129,126

Administrator Class

      (36,136,386       (17,781,237

Institutional Class

      (17,741,411       (8,059,479
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (92,883,797       (48,515,852
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares          Shares     

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    624,836        8,481,516        1,536,744        19,747,759   

Class B

    2,136        28,654        6,639        83,868   

Class C

    209,050        2,773,670        248,479        3,177,380   

Class R

    1,217        16,683        541        7,094   

Class R6

    339        4,595        28,088        358,736   

Administrator Class

    690,160        9,705,283        1,447,515        19,486,524   

Institutional Class

    2,658,478        36,641,333        3,266,904        42,230,313   
 

 

 

 
      57,651,734          85,091,674   
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    2,128,410        27,919,064        1,176,653        14,917,979   

Class B

    15,779        204,498        13,464        169,111   

Class C

    174,638        2,247,594        88,113        1,099,654   

Class R

    174        2,292        58        749   

Class R4

    87        1,132        46        602   

Class R6

    1,068        13,934        12,774        162,517   

Administrator Class

    2,786,857        37,930,250        1,521,594        19,958,784   

Institutional Class

    1,210,532        15,960,088        652,707        8,311,426   
 

 

 

 
      84,278,852          44,620,822   
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (4,381,343     (59,669,917     (4,839,117     (63,094,781

Class B

    (163,321     (2,207,079     (180,860     (2,324,814

Class C

    (442,242     (5,907,017     (478,767     (6,118,561

Class R

    (470     (6,451     0        0   

Class R4

    (111     (1,553     0        0   

Class R6

    0        0        (297,213     (4,116,495

Administrator Class

    (4,305,966     (60,992,273     (4,780,073     (63,850,413

Institutional Class

    (3,233,572     (43,813,596     (3,626,645     (47,212,305
 

 

 

 
      (172,597,886       (186,717,369
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (30,667,300       (57,004,873
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (15,211,009       43,391,488   
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      1,210,782,426          1,167,390,938   
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 1,195,571,417        $ 1,210,782,426   
 

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income

    $ 6,065,222        $ 3,889,143   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     15   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS A   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.60        $12.52        $10.44        $11.50        $9.84   

Net investment income

    0.10        0.07        0.07 1      0.11 1      0.10   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.09        1.53        2.75        0.24        1.65   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.19        1.60        2.82        0.35        1.75   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.07     (0.06     (0.10     (0.28     (0.09

Net realized gains

    (0.99     (0.46     (0.64     (1.13     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.06     (1.52     (0.74     (1.41     (0.09

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.73        $13.60        $12.52        $10.44        $11.50   

Total return2

    9.19     13.09     28.53     4.38     17.88

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.20     1.21     1.20     1.24     1.24

Net expenses

    1.16     1.16     1.16     1.17     1.17

Net investment income

    0.75     0.53     0.57     1.05     0.81

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    29     23     28     34     25

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $372,443        $391,028        $386,655        $87,784        $159,178   

 

 

 

 

 

1 Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

16   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS B   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.45        $12.42        $10.34        $11.37        $9.72   

Net investment income (loss)

    0.00 1,2      (0.03 )1      (0.02     0.03 1      0.01 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.08        1.52        2.74        0.24        1.64   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.08        1.49        2.72        0.27        1.65   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        0.00        0.00        (0.17     (0.00 )2 

Net realized gains

    (0.99     (0.46     (0.64     (1.13     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.99     (0.46     (0.64     (1.30     (0.00 )2 

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.54        $13.45        $12.42        $10.34        $11.37   

Total return3

    8.36     12.25     27.57     3.56     17.03

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.96     1.97     1.97     2.01     1.99

Net expenses

    1.91     1.91     1.91     1.92     1.91

Net investment income (loss)

    0.00     (0.20 )%      (0.03 )%      0.27     0.07

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    29     23     28     34     25

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $1,947        $3,889        $5,589        $4,323        $7,666   

 

 

 

 

1 Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 Amount is less than $0.005.

 

3  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     17   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS C   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.36        $12.35        $10.30        $11.35        $9.72   

Net investment income (loss)

    0.00 1      (0.03     (0.01 )2      0.03 2      0.02   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.08        1.50        2.72        0.24        1.63   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.08        1.47        2.71        0.27        1.65   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        0.00        (0.02     (0.19     (0.02

Net realized gains

    (0.99     (0.46     (0.64     (1.13     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.99     (0.46     (0.66     (1.32     (0.02

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.45        $13.36        $12.35        $10.30        $11.35   

Total return3

    8.42     12.24     27.50     3.62     16.98

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.96     1.97     1.97     2.01     1.97

Net expenses

    1.91     1.91     1.91     1.92     1.92

Net investment income (loss)

    0.00     (0.22 )%      (0.05 )%      0.26     0.07

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    29     23     28     34     25

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $36,098        $36,654        $35,616        $20,187        $28,230   

 

 

 

 

1 Amount is less than $0.005.

 

2 Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

18   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS R   2015     2014     20131  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.66        $12.55        $11.20   

Net investment income

    0.05        0.03        0.00 2 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.12        1.54        1.35   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.17        1.57        1.35   

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net investment income

    (0.03     0.00        0.00   

Net realized gains

    (0.99     (0.46     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.02     (0.46     0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.81        $13.66        $12.55   

Total return3

    8.96     12.77     12.05

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

     

Gross expenses

    1.47     1.49     1.46

Net expenses

    1.40     1.41     1.41

Net investment income

    0.50     0.26     0.01

Supplemental data

     

Portfolio turnover rate

    29     23     28

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $41        $28        $18   

 

 

 

 

1 For the period from March 1, 2013 (commencement of class operations) to July 31, 2013

 

2 Amount is less than $0.005.

 

3 Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     19   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS R4   2015     2014     20131  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.65        $12.55        $11.10   

Net investment income

    0.15        0.12        0.09   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.09        1.54        2.15   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.24        1.66        2.24   

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net investment income

    (0.12     (0.10     (0.15

Net realized gains

    (0.99     (0.46     (0.64
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.11     (0.56     (0.79

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.78        $13.65        $12.55   

Total return2

    9.53     13.55     21.73

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

     

Gross expenses

    0.86     0.87     0.88

Net expenses

    0.80     0.80     0.80

Net investment income

    1.11     0.88     0.99

Supplemental data

     

Portfolio turnover rate

    29     23     28

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $15        $15        $14   

 

 

 

 

 

1  For the period from November 30, 2012 (commencement of class operations) to July 31, 2013

 

2  Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

20   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS R6   2015     2014     20131  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.60        $12.56        $11.10   

Net investment income

    0.17 2      0.14 2      0.19   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.08        1.47        2.06   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.25        1.61        2.25   

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net investment income

    (0.24     (0.11     (0.15

Net realized gains

    (0.99     (0.46     (0.64
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.23     (0.57     (0.79

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.62        $13.60        $12.56   

Total return3

    9.74     13.19     21.84

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

     

Gross expenses

    0.74     0.74     0.73

Net expenses

    0.65     0.65     0.65

Net investment income

    1.25     1.10     0.85

Supplemental data

     

Portfolio turnover rate

    29     23     28

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $169        $150        $3,359   

 

 

 

 

 

1 For the period from November 30, 2012 (commencement of class operations) to July 31, 2013

 

2 Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3 Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     21   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.08        $12.95        $10.78        $11.55        $9.87   

Net investment income

    0.13        0.10        0.08 1      0.12 1      0.11 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.14        1.58        2.87        0.28        1.68   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.27        1.68        2.95        0.40        1.79   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.11     (0.09     (0.14     (0.04     (0.11

Net realized gains

    (0.99     (0.46     (0.64     (1.13     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.10     (0.55     (0.78     (1.17     (0.11

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.25        $14.08        $12.95        $10.78        $11.55   

Total return2

    9.42     13.36     28.77     4.57     18.23

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.06     1.06     1.05     1.09     1.06

Net expenses

    0.95     0.95     0.95     0.95     0.95

Net investment income

    0.95     0.74     0.68     1.13     1.04

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    29     23     28     34     25

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $529,293        $534,641        $515,012        $26,687        $9,693   

 

 

 

 

 

1 Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2 Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

22   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $13.67        $12.58        $10.48        $11.56        $9.87   

Net investment income

    0.15        0.13        0.16        0.14 1      0.13 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.11        1.53        2.73        0.24        1.67   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.26        1.66        2.89        0.38        1.80   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.14     (1.11     (0.15     (0.33     (0.11

Net realized gains

    (0.99     (0.46     (0.64     (1.13     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.13     (0.57     (0.79     (1.46     (0.11

Net asset value, end of period

    $13.80        $13.67        $12.58        $10.48        $11.56   

Total return

    9.66     13.64     29.04     4.71     18.32

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.79     0.79     0.79     0.83     0.79

Net expenses

    0.70     0.70     0.73     0.82     0.79

Net investment income

    1.20     0.99     1.21     1.35     1.16

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    29     23     28     34     25

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $255,565        $244,378        $221,128        $222,949        $277,329   

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     23   

1. ORGANIZATION

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

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time).

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

Equity securities that are not listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market, but have a public trading market, are valued at the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer that the Management Valuation Team of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”) has determined is an acceptable source.

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

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

Valuations of fair valued securities are compared to the next actual sales price when available, or other appropriate market values, to assess the continued appropriateness of the fair valuation methodologies used. These securities are fair valued on a day-to-day basis, taking into consideration changes to appropriate market information and any significant changes to the inputs considered in the valuation process until there is a readily available price provided on an exchange or by an independent pricing service. Valuations received from an independent pricing service or independent broker-dealer quotes are periodically validated by comparisons to most recent trades and valuations provided by other independent pricing services in addition to the review of prices by the manager and/or subadviser. Unobservable inputs used in determining fair valuations are identified based on the type of security, taking into consideration factors utilized by market participants in valuing the investment, knowledge about the issuer and the current market environment.

Security loans

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Fund continues to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The Fund receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund will be affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or


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24   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Notes to financial statements

may experience delays or costs in doing so. In addition, the investment of any cash collateral received may lose all or part of its value. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). The Securities Lending Fund is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act and is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”). Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser. The Securities Lending Fund seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments. Securities Lending Fund investments are fair valued based upon the amortized cost valuation technique. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund is included in securities lending income on the Statement of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

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

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

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Such distributions are determined in conformity with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Federal and other taxes

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

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

Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under federal income tax regulations. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. At July 31, 2015, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Paid-in capital   

Undistributed net

investment income

  

Accumulated net

realized gains

on investments

$184    $(294)    $110

As of July 31, 2015, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future net realized capital gains in the amount of $12,596,933 expiring in 2017.

Class allocations

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


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     25   

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

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

 

n   Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

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

 

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

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of July 31, 2015:

 

     Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Consumer discretionary

   $ 119,818,785       $ 0       $ 0       $ 119,818,785   

Consumer staples

     120,521,709         0         0         120,521,709   

Energy

     94,821,437         0         0         94,821,437   

Financials

     235,557,368         0         0         235,557,368   

Health care

     139,235,191         0         0         139,235,191   

Industrials

     149,618,894         0         0         149,618,894   

Information technology

     191,641,625         0         0         191,641,625   

Materials

     16,947,639         0         0         16,947,639   

Telecommunication services

     21,908,996         0         0         21,908,996   

Utilities

     49,120,123         0         0         49,120,123   

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     52,947,155         7,206,500         0         60,153,655   

Total assets

   $ 1,192,138,922       $ 7,206,500       $ 0       $ 1,199,345,422   

The Fund recognizes transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period. At July 31, 2015 common stocks with a market value of $15,942,379 were transferred from Level 2 to Level 1 because of an increase in the market activity of these securities. The Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the applicable subadviser, providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations, and providing any other fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual management fee starting at 0.70% and declining to 0.505% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.


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26   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Notes to financial statements

Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. For the period from December 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, Funds Management was entitled to receive an annual fee which started at 0.65% and declined to 0.475% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. From August 1, 2014 through November 30, 2014, Funds Management received an annual advisory fee which started at 0.65% and declined to 0.55% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. In addition, prior to July 31, 2015, fund-level administrative services were provided by Funds Management under a separate administration agreement at an annual fee which started at 0.05% and declined to 0.03% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.68% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For financial statement purposes, advisory fees and fund-level administration fees for the year ended July 31, 2015 have been included in management fee on the Statement of Operations.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Metropolitan West Capital Management, LLC, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.35% and declining to 0.25% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Administration fees

The Trust has entered into an administration agreement with Funds Management. Under this agreement, for providing administrative services, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus account servicers and record-keepers, Funds Management is entitled to receive from the Fund an annual fund level administration fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.03% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase and a class level administration fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

     Class-level administration fee  
     Current rate        Rate prior to
July 1, 2015
 

Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R

     0.21        0.26

Class R4

     0.08           0.08   

Class R6

     0.03           0.03   

Administrator Class

     0.13           0.10   

Institutional Class

     0.13           0.08   

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed advisory and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. Waiver of fees and/or reimbursement of expenses by Funds Management were made first from fund level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. Funds Management has committed through November 30, 2016 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.11% for Class A shares, 1.86% for Class B shares, 1.86% for Class C shares, 1.36% for Class R shares, 0.80% for Class R4 shares, 0.65% for Class R6 shares, 0.95% for Administrator Class shares and 0.70% for Institutional Class shares. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Prior to July 1, 2015, the Fund’s expenses were capped at 1.16% for Class A shares, 1.91% for Class B shares, 1.91% for Class C shares, and 1.41% for Class R shares.

Distribution fees

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class B, Class C, and Class R shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Distribution fees are charged to Class B, Class C, and Class R shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares and 0.25% of the average daily net assets for Class R shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class B and Class C shares. For the year ended July 31, 2015, Funds Distributor received $12,322 from the sale of Class A shares and $10 and $14 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class B, and Class C shares, respectively.


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     27   

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R and Administrator Class of the Fund is charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. Class R4 shares are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.10% of its average daily net assets.

A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended July 31, 2015 were $334,376,796 and $475,671,122, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds and certain other funds in the Trust) and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $150,000,000 revolving credit agreement, whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.10% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the Fund paid $1,777 in commitment fees.

For the year ended July 31, 2015, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended July 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Year ended July 31  
     2015      2014  

Ordinary income

   $ 12,000,998       $ 8,437,765   

Long-term capital gain

     80,882,799         40,078,087   

As of July 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed

ordinary

income

  

Undistributed

long-term

gain

  

Unrealized

gains

  

Capital loss

carryforward

$6,200,397    $91,504,947    $243,459,693    $(12,596,933)

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.


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28   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Report of independent registered public accounting firm

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund (the “Fund”), one of the funds constituting the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, as of July 31, 2015, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of July 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund as of July 31, 2015, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

September 23, 2015


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     29   

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 100% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $80,882,799 was designated as long-term capital gain distributions for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $12,000,998 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015, $3,132,712 has been designated as short-term capital gain dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

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

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The complete portfolio holdings for the Fund are publicly available monthly on the Fund’s website (wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com), on a one-month delayed basis. In addition, top ten holdings information (excluding derivative positions) for the Fund is publicly available on the Fund’s website on a monthly, seven-day or more delayed basis. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which is available by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and at regional offices in New York City, at 233 Broadway, and in Chicago, at 175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.


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30   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Other information (unaudited)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds, which consists of 133 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Other

directorships during

past five years

William R. Ebsworth (Born 1957)   Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director at Fidelity Management and Research Company and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Mr. Ebsworth is an Adjunct Lecturer, Finance, at Babson College and a Chartered Financial Analyst.   Asset Allocation Trust
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is a Chartered Financial Analyst (inactive), Chair of Taproot Foundation (non-profit organization) and a Board Member of Ruth Bancroft Garden (non-profit organization).   Asset Allocation Trust
Peter G. Gordon (Born 1942)   Trustee, since 1998; Chairman, since 2005   Co-Founder, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser Water Company. Trustee Emeritus, Colby College.   Asset Allocation Trust
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee, since 2009   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy. Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant.   CIGNA Corporation; Asset Allocation Trust
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)  

Trustee, since 2008;

Audit Committee Chairman, since 2008

  Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   Asset Allocation Trust
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Morgan Stanley Director of the Center for Leadership Development and Research and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   Asset Allocation Trust
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   Asset Allocation Trust


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     31   

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Other

directorships during

past five years

Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007 and Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   Asset Allocation Trust
Michael S. Scofield (Born 1943)   Trustee, since 2010   Served on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 2008-2011 as well the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council from 2006-2011 and the Independent Directors Council Executive Committee from 2008-2011. Chairman of the IDC from 2008-2010. Institutional Investor (Fund Directions) Trustee of Year in 2007. Trustee of the Evergreen Funds complex (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010. Chairman of the Evergreen Funds from 2000-2010. Former Trustee of the Mentor Funds. Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.   Asset Allocation Trust
Donald C. Willeke (Born 1940)   Trustee, since 1996   Principal of the law firm of Willeke & Daniels. General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1984 until its consolidation into the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010. Director and Vice Chair of The Tree Trust (non-profit corporation). Director of the American Chestnut Foundation (non-profit corporation).   Asset Allocation Trust

 

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

 

** William R. Ebsworth and Jane A. Freeman each became a Trustee effective January 1, 2015.

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer    
Karla M. Rabusch
(Born 1959)
  President, since 2003   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2003.    
Jeremy DePalma1
(Born 1974)
  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2007. Head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.    
C. David Messman
(Born 1960)
  Secretary, since 2000; Chief Legal Officer, since 2003   Senior Vice President and Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2001. Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2013 and Vice President and Managing Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank N.A. from 1996 to 2013.    

Debra Ann Early

(Born 1964)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2007   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2007 and Chief Compliance Officer from 2007 to 2014. Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2005 to 2007. Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2004 to 2007 and Senior Audit Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1998 to 2004.    

David Berardi

(Born 1975)

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

 

 

1 Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 61 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 72 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

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


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32   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Other information (unaudited)

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

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at an in-person meeting held on May 19-20, 2015 (the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); (ii) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Funds Management; and (iii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Metropolitan West Capital Management, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Fund’s Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) applicable to Fund-level administrative services. The Advisory Agreement, the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at an in-person meeting in March 2015, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2015. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Funds Management, and the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board noted that the services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement combined the advisory services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Fund-level administrative services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Administration Agreement. The Board received a representation from Funds Management that combining these services would not result in any change to the nature or level of services provided by Funds Management to the Fund.

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


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     33   

Fund performance and expenses

The Board considered the performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended March 31, 2015. The Board considered these results in comparison to the performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Lipper is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the performance of the Fund (Class A) was higher than the average performance of the Universe for all periods under review except for the one-year period. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was higher than or in range of its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Value Index, for all periods under review except the one- and three-year periods.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees (which reflect fee waivers, if any, and include advisory, administration and transfer agent fees), custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Lipper to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Lipper reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than, equal to, or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups for all share classes except Class A. The Board discussed and accepted Funds Management’s proposal to decrease net operating expense ratio caps for Class R, Class A, Class B, and Class C.

The Board took into account the Fund performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement and approve the Management Agreement.

Investment advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rates that are payable by the Fund to Funds Management for investment advisory services (the “Advisory Agreement Rates”), both on a stand-alone basis and on a combined basis with the Fund’s fund-level and class-level contractual administration fee rates (the “Management Rates”). The Board noted that the Management Rates include transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs. The Board also noted that the fee rate to be paid by the Fund under the Management Agreement will incorporate the advisory fee and Fund-level administration fee previously payable separately by the Fund under the Fund’s Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement with Funds Management. The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rates”).

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Management Rates of the Fund with those of other funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were equal to or in range of the average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes except Class R.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total advisory fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. However, given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of the advisory fee between them.

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

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable, in light of the services covered by the Advisory Agreements.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of Wells Fargo as a whole, from providing services to the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board also


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34   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund   Other information (unaudited)

received and considered information concerning the profitability of the Sub-Adviser from providing services to the fund family as a whole, noting that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund was subsumed in the Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

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

Economies of scale

With respect to possible economies of scale, the Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory and management fee structures, and the Fund’s administration fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size. It considered that, for a small fund or a fund that shrinks in size, breakpoints conversely can result in higher fee levels. The Board also considered that fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements and competitive fee rates at the outset are means of sharing potential economies of scale with shareholders of the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board considered Funds Management’s view that any analyses of potential economies of scale in managing a particular fund are inherently limited in light of the joint and common costs and investments that Funds Management incurs across the fund family as a whole.

The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee and expense arrangements, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

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

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

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

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.


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List of abbreviations   Wells Fargo Advantage Intrinsic Value Fund     35   

The following is a list of common abbreviations for terms and entities that may have appeared in this report.

 

ACA —  ACA Financial Guaranty Corporation
ADR —  American depositary receipt
ADS —  American depositary shares
AGC —  Assured Guaranty Corporation
AGM —  Assured Guaranty Municipal
Ambac —  Ambac Financial Group Incorporated
AMT —  Alternative minimum tax
AUD —  Australian dollar
BAN —  Bond anticipation notes
BHAC —  Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation
BRL —  Brazilian real
CAB —  Capital appreciation bond
CAD —  Canadian dollar
CCAB —  Convertible capital appreciation bond
CDA —  Community Development Authority
CDO —  Collateralized debt obligation
CHF —  Swiss franc
COP —  Colombian peso
CLP —  Chilean peso
DKK —  Danish krone
DRIVER —  Derivative inverse tax-exempt receipts
DW&P —  Department of Water & Power
DWR —  Department of Water Resources
ECFA —  Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority
EDA —  Economic Development Authority
EDFA —  Economic Development Finance Authority
ETF —  Exchange-traded fund
EUR —  Euro
FDIC —  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FFCB —  Federal Farm Credit Banks
FGIC —  Financial Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FHA —  Federal Housing Administration
FHLB —  Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC —  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FICO —  The Financing Corporation
FNMA —  Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA —  Farm Service Agency
GBP —  Great British pound
GDR —  Global depositary receipt
GNMA —  Government National Mortgage Association
GO —  General obligation
HCFR —  Healthcare facilities revenue
HEFA —  Health & Educational Facilities Authority
HEFAR —  Higher education facilities authority revenue
HFA —  Housing Finance Authority
HFFA —  Health Facilities Financing Authority
HKD —  Hong Kong dollar
HUD —  Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUF —  Hungarian forint
IDA —  Industrial Development Authority
IDAG —  Industrial Development Agency
IDR —  Indonesian rupiah
IEP —  Irish pound
JPY —  Japanese yen
KRW —  Republic of Korea won
LIBOR —  London Interbank Offered Rate
LIFER —  Long Inverse Floating Exempt Receipts
LIQ —  Liquidity agreement
LLC —  Limited liability company
LLLP —  Limited liability limited partnership
LLP —  Limited liability partnership
LOC —  Letter of credit
LP —  Limited partnership
MBIA —  Municipal Bond Insurance Association
MFHR —  Multifamily housing revenue
MSTR —  Municipal securities trust receipts
MTN —  Medium-term note
MUD —  Municipal Utility District
MXN —  Mexican peso
MYR —  Malaysian ringgit
National —  National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation
NGN —  Nigerian naira
NOK —  Norwegian krone
NZD —  New Zealand dollar
PCFA —  Pollution Control Financing Authority
PCL —  Public Company Limited
PCR —  Pollution control revenue
PFA —  Public Finance Authority
PFFA —  Public Facilities Financing Authority
PFOTER —  Puttable floating option tax-exempt receipts
plc —  Public limited company
PLN —  Polish zloty
PUTTER —  Puttable tax-exempt receipts
R&D —  Research & development
Radian —  Radian Asset Assurance
RAN —  Revenue anticipation notes
RDA —  Redevelopment Authority
RDFA —  Redevelopment Finance Authority
REIT —  Real estate investment trust
ROC —  Reset option certificates
RON —  Romanian lei
RUB —  Russian ruble
SAVRS —  Select auction variable rate securities
SBA —  Small Business Authority
SDR —  Swedish depositary receipt
SEK —  Swedish krona
SFHR —  Single-family housing revenue
SFMR —  Single-family mortgage revenue
SGD —  Singapore dollar
SPA —  Standby purchase agreement
SPDR —  Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts
SPEAR —   Short Puttable Exempt Adjustable Receipts
STRIPS —  Separate trading of registered interest and
           principal securities
TAN —  Tax anticipation notes
TBA —  To be announced
THB —  Thai baht
TIPS —  Treasury inflation-protected securities
TRAN —  Tax revenue anticipation notes
TRY —  Turkish lira
TTFA —  Transportation Trust Fund Authority
TVA —  Tennessee Valley Authority
ZAR —  South African rand
 


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For more information

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

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

P.O. Box 8266

Boston, MA 02266-8266

Email: wfaf@wellsfargo.com

Website: wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

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

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, provides investment advisory and administrative services for Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. Other affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company provide subadvisory and other services for the Funds. The Funds are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE

© 2015 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved.

 


    

236195 09-15

A207/AR207 07-15


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Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund

 

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Annual Report

July 31, 2015

 

 

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Table of Contents

Reduce clutter. Save trees.

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

Contents

 

 

 

Letter to shareholders

    2   

Performance highlights

    4   

Fund expenses

    8   

Portfolio of investments

    9   
Financial statements  

Statement of assets and liabilities

    12   

Statement of operations

    13   

Statement of changes in net assets

    14   

Financial highlights

    15   

Notes to financial statements

    20   

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

    25   

Other information

    26   

List of abbreviations

    32   

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of July 31, 2015, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements; the views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE



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2   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period

 

 

Dear Valued Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015. Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period (as measured by the S&P 500 Index1). In contrast, many economies and markets elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges.

Positive U.S. economic data but increased tensions abroad led to heightened market volatility in the last five months of 2014.

Following a negative monthly return for July 2014, the S&P 500 Index bounced back in August on a string of positive economic news, led by a 4.2% revised second-quarter 2014 gross domestic product (GDP) reading. The S&P 500 Index gave back some of its August gains in September, however; stock market volatility increased as positive economic data became overshadowed at times by growing discomfort over escalating tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East and slowing growth in Europe and China. Ultimately, U.S. stocks ended the third quarter up slightly overall, buoyed largely by strong corporate earnings and another upward revision of second-quarter GDP growth (to 4.6%).

The fourth quarter of 2014 brought continued improvement in the U.S.; international economies remained challenged. Strong fourth-quarter results by U.S. stocks helped the S&P 500 Index deliver more than 50 record closes in 2014. The last several, in December, were spurred by investor optimism following U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Janet Yellen’s comment that the Fed would be patient in its timing of an interest-rate increase. U.S. stocks also were boosted by positive economic data; November’s 5.8% unemployment rate was down from 7.0% a year earlier, and the number of jobs being added continued to expand. In addition, the U.S. economy’s third-quarter growth rate was revised upward to 5.0% during the quarter, and U.S. companies continued to report strong earnings. The steadily brightening U.S. economy energized consumers, who were further buoyed by much lower prices at the gasoline pump. As the U.S. chugged forward, though, major economies elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges. While Japan eased out of a two-quarter contraction, growth in China continued to slow and Russia’s economy contracted for the first time since 2009. In the eurozone, growth remained sluggish; this situation was exacerbated in December by renewed concerns about Greece after its parliament failed to avert a general election that could jeopardize the country’s financial agreements with its creditors.

In the first quarter of 2015, U.S. large caps delivered positive results but underperformed small- and mid-cap stocks; major markets elsewhere rallied.

U.S. large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks tended to move similarly during the quarter until early March, when results began to diverge by market capitalization. Larger caps slipped that month as investor concern grew over the strengthening U.S. dollar’s potentially negative effect on the profits of large U.S. multinational firms; however, stocks of small and midsize companies, which tend to be less affected by movements in the dollar, performed better. Positive stock results were supported by a gradually improving U.S. economy. The labor market continued to grow, along with personal income and consumer confidence. For U.S. businesses, the quarter’s data were mixed; while many companies reported strong earnings, other data indicated potential weakening in manufacturing. Elsewhere in the world, major markets enjoyed positive returns spurred by accommodative monetary policies from major central banks and signs of improvement in some struggling economies.

 

 

 

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


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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     3   

U.S. large caps experienced challenges during the second quarter of 2015.

The S&P 500 Index fluctuated widely during this quarter, eventually eking out a 0.28% gain for the period. Larger-cap stocks at times were pressured by ongoing investor concerns over the potentially negative effects of financially troubled overseas economies and the strengthening U.S. dollar. The U.S. economy picked up traction during the quarter; consumer spending improved, and positive trends were evident in construction and new-home sales. Jobs growth remained a bright spot as well. Fed officials, who have kept interest rates low while waiting for the U.S. jobs market to sufficiently improve and for inflation to approach their 2% target, made clear that they could take action soon. Throughout the quarter, markets outside the U.S. continued to experience volatility, triggered by uncertainty over the potential impact of financial challenges in other locations—most notably in Greece and Puerto Rico. Questions over slower growth in China caused investor concern as well.

July 2015 brought a bounce-back for U.S. large caps.

U.S. large-cap stocks delivered 2.10% for the month (as measured by the S&P 500 Index). The boost was supported by encouraging U.S. economic data, including positive earnings reports from a range of U.S. companies, increased retail spending by U.S. consumers, and further improvement in the jobs market.

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

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

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

Notice to shareholders

At a meeting held on August 11–12, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change in the name of the Fund whereby the word “Advantage” will be removed from its name, effective December 15, 2015.

 

For current information about your fund investments, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


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4   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Golden Capital Management, LLC

Portfolio managers

John Campbell, CFA

Jeff C. Moser, CFA

Average annual total returns1 (%) as of July 31, 2015

 

        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     Since inception     1 year     5 year     Since inception     Gross     Net3  
Class A (EGOAX)   12-17-2007     4.63        15.77        6.11        10.99        17.15        6.94        1.24        1.14   
Class C (EGOCX)   12-17-2007     9.16        16.28        6.17        10.16        16.28        6.17        1.99        1.89   
Administrator Class (WFLLX)   7-16-2010                          11.28        17.45        7.14        1.16        0.90   
Institutional Class (EGOIX)   12-17-2007                          11.51        17.72        7.39        0.91        0.66   
Investor Class (WFLNX)   7-16-2010                          10.90        17.06        6.79        1.35        1.20   
S&P 500 Index4                            11.21        16.24        7.35                 

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

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

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

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


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Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     5   
Growth of $10,000 investment5 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

 

 

 

1  Historical performance shown for Administrator Class and Investor Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Institutional Class shares, adjusted to reflect higher expenses applicable to Administrator Class and Investor Class shares. Historical performance shown for all classes of the Fund prior to July 19, 2010, is based on the performance of the Fund’s predecessor, Evergreen Golden Large Cap Core Fund.

 

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

 

3  The manager has contractually committed through November 30, 2016, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at the amounts shown for Class A and Class C. The manager has contractually committed through November 30, 2015, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at the amounts shown for Administrator Class, Institutional Class, and Investor Class. Effective December 1, 2015, the manager has contractually committed through November 30, 2016, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After the Fee Waiver at 1.00% for Administrator Class and 0.70% for Institutional Class. After this time, the caps may be increased or the commitment to maintain the caps may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the cap. Without this cap, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.

 

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

 

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

 

6  The ten largest holdings, excluding cash and cash equivalents, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

7  Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

* This security was not held in the Fund at the end of the reporting period.


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6   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

n   The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the S&P 500 Index, for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015.

 

n   Results in the information technology (IT) sector detracted the most from Fund performance relative to the benchmark index. Select energy and transport-related holdings negatively affected results as well.

 

n   Stock selection in the industrials and financials sectors provided some of the strongest contributions to relative performance. The Fund also benefited from overweights to the health care and consumer discretionary sectors.

 

Ten largest holdings6 (%) as of July 31, 2015  

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Incorporated Class A

     2.62   

Centene Corporation

     2.53   

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

     2.46   

Electronic Arts Incorporated

     2.46   

CVS Health Corporation

     2.44   

Pinnacle Foods Incorporated

     2.41   

The Home Depot Incorporated

     2.40   

Aetna Incorporated

     2.40   

Apple Incorporated

     2.38   

Northrop Grumman Corporation

     2.38   

U.S. economic growth improved slowly during the period; the Fund was positioned accordingly.

The U.S. economy’s already slow-but-steady pace appeared to slow a bit more over the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015. Many economists and investors attributed the slowdown in the pace of economic growth to transitory factors, including weather and statistical seasonal adjustments. During the period, manufacturing reports indicated modest expansion, retail sales reports reflected growth, the job market remained strong as the unemployment rate gradually improved, and consumer confidence surveys registered high readings. The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) completed its quantitative easing program in October 2014 and has since changed its language to prepare investors for potential interest-rate

 

increases. Economic projections released following the Fed’s June 2015 meeting indicated that although its members had revised downward their overall expectation for growth in U.S. gross domestic product, they still anticipated making one to three increases in the federal funds target interest rate by the end of 2015.

In the eurozone, economic growth remained weak overall for the period. The region’s inflation rate continued to fall significantly below the European Central Bank’s (ECB’s) 2.0% target, and unemployment rates remained elevated in all member countries except Germany. However, in the period following the ECB’s announcement of a new quantitative easing policy, economic growth and inflation delivered better-than-expected improvement. For example, manufacturing data strengthened, reaching their highest levels in four years. Throughout much of the 12-month period, though, the situation in Greece remained a significant stumbling block. Greece’s economy continued to deteriorate, its government defaulted on a loan payment to the International Monetary Fund, and its stock market and banks closed temporarily while the Greek government and eurozone leaders tried to reach a mutually agreeable solution.

During the period, the Fund was positioned to potentially benefit from continued slow U.S. economic growth and an accommodative Fed monetary policy. The Fund’s positioning included maintaining slightly higher market risk than the benchmark index and emphasizing companies with potential earnings growth and a likelihood of reporting positive earnings surprises (as indicated by our quantitative research). In implementing this positioning during the period, we decreased the Fund’s exposure to the weak PC market within the IT sector and maintained overweights to the health care and consumer discretionary sectors and an underweight to the utilities sector.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     7   
Sector distribution7 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

PC-related holdings drove most of the Fund’s relative underperformance.

The Fund’s IT holdings underperformed the IT sector within the benchmark S&P 500 Index, largely due to the Fund’s heightened sensitivity to the weak PC market. Notable PC-related detractors within the Fund included Intel Corporation; Micron Technology, Incorporated; and SanDisk Corporation. We sold Micron Technology during the period in favor of other, non-PC-related IT holdings, including mobile-technology company Skyworks Solutions Incorporated, and Electronic Arts Incorporated, a leader in the fast-growing digital gaming and entertainment industry. Within the energy sector, Fund

 

holdings Halliburton Company* and National Oilwell Varco Incorporated suffered as crude-oil prices fell sharply; transport-related holding Trinity Industries Incorporated declined as well.

Favorable results in the Fund’s industrials, financials, health care, and consumer discretionary sectors aided performance.

In the industrials sector, notable contributors to Fund performance included Southwest Airlines Company and aerospace/defense companies Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Incorporated, and Northrop Grumman Corporation. Within the financials sector, Voya Financial, Incorporated; The Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated; and Morgan Stanley contributed positively to results. Our decisions to overweight the health care and consumer discretionary sectors added significant value because these were the two top-performing sectors within the S&P 500 Index during the period. Strong performers within health care included Centene Corporation and Aetna Incorporated; within consumer discretionary, Hanesbrands Incorporated* and The Home Depot Incorporated delivered notable results.

Our outlook remains optimistic.

Developed markets stocks seem expensive to us relative to historical valuation measures. Although interest rates have begun to rise, they remain low, which causes stocks to seem inexpensive when compared with government bonds on a relative-yield basis. We continue to see attractive opportunities to invest in less expensive stocks with high-quality characteristics, including high free-cash-flow yields, favorable earnings stability, and strong balance sheets.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

8   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Fund expenses (unaudited)

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

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from February 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

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

 

     Beginning
account value
2-1-2015
     Ending
account value
7-31-2015
     Expenses
paid during
the period1
     Net annualized
expense ratio
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,066.80       $ 5.84         1.14

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,019.14       $ 5.71         1.14

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,063.35       $ 9.67         1.89

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,015.42       $ 9.44         1.89

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,067.97       $ 4.61         0.90

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,020.33       $ 4.51         0.90

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,069.94       $ 3.39         0.66

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,021.52       $ 3.31         0.66

Investor Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,066.62       $ 6.15         1.20

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,018.84       $ 6.01         1.20

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     9   

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  

Common Stocks: 97.98%

          

Consumer Discretionary: 16.26%

          
Auto Components: 4.31%           

Lear Corporation

          115,868       $ 12,058,383   

Magna International Incorporated

          241,146         13,108,697   
             25,167,080   
          

 

 

 
Automobiles: 1.26%           

Ford Motor Company

          494,948         7,340,079   
          

 

 

 
Media: 1.99%           

Comcast Corporation Class A

          186,086         11,613,627   
          

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 1.91%           

Target Corporation

          136,433         11,167,041   
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 6.79%           

Foot Locker Incorporated

          195,664         13,804,095   

Lowe’s Companies Incorporated

          170,625         11,834,550   

The Home Depot Incorporated

          119,974         14,040,557   
             39,679,202   
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 6.73%

          
Food & Staples Retailing: 2.44%           

CVS Health Corporation

          126,914         14,274,018   
          

 

 

 
Food Products: 4.29%           

Archer Daniels Midland Company

          231,161         10,961,655   

Pinnacle Foods Incorporated

          312,827         14,061,574   
             25,023,229   
          

 

 

 

Energy: 6.96%

          
Energy Equipment & Services: 1.00%           

National Oilwell Varco Incorporated

          138,828         5,848,824   
          

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 5.96%           

ConocoPhillips Company

          121,310         6,106,745   

Exxon Mobil Corporation

          90,564         7,173,574   

Valero Energy Corporation

          165,986         10,888,682   

Western Refining Incorporated

          240,417         10,616,815   
             34,785,816   
          

 

 

 

Financials: 14.39%

          
Banks: 2.01%           

JPMorgan Chase & Company

          171,496         11,752,621   
          

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 4.06%           

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

          59,767         12,256,419   

Morgan Stanley

          295,085         11,461,101   
             23,717,520   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

10   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Consumer Finance: 1.74%           

Capital One Financial Corporation

          124,829       $ 10,148,598   
          

 

 

 
Diversified Financial Services: 2.07%           

Voya Financial Incorporated

          257,147         12,073,052   
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 4.51%           

Lincoln National Corporation

          237,869         13,396,782   

The Hartford Financial Services Group Incorporated

          271,625         12,915,769   
             26,312,551   
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 19.26%

          
Biotechnology: 6.21%           

Amgen Incorporated

          68,224         12,047,676   

Biogen Idec Incorporated †

          30,976         9,874,529   

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

          121,650         14,337,669   
             36,259,874   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 11.28%           

Aetna Incorporated

          124,285         14,040,476   

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

          116,314         12,300,206   

Centene Corporation †

          210,968         14,795,186   

McKesson Corporation

          58,287         12,856,364   

UnitedHealth Group Incorporated

          97,839         11,877,655   
             65,869,887   
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 1.77%           

Merck & Company Incorporated

          174,993         10,317,587   
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 10.09%

          
Aerospace & Defense: 5.00%           

Northrop Grumman Corporation

          80,202         13,875,748   

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Incorporated Class A †

          271,474         15,283,986   
             29,159,734   
          

 

 

 
Airlines: 3.88%           

Delta Air Lines Incorporated

          278,823         12,363,012   

Southwest Airlines Company

          284,720         10,306,864   
             22,669,876   
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 1.21%           

Trinity Industries Incorporated

          241,485         7,065,851   
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 20.61%

          
Communications Equipment: 1.76%           

Cisco Systems Incorporated

          360,358         10,241,374   
          

 

 

 
Internet Software & Services: 1.67%           

Tessera Technologies Incorporated

          281,782         9,766,564   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     11   

      

 

 

Security name              Shares      Value  
IT Services: 1.94%          

DST Systems Incorporated

         103,909       $ 11,341,667   
         

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 5.57%          

Intel Corporation

         297,918         8,624,726   

Skyworks Solutions Incorporated

         132,214         12,648,913   

Teradyne Incorporated

         583,780         11,243,603   
            32,517,242   
         

 

 

 
Software: 5.88%          

Electronic Arts Incorporated †

         200,350         14,335,043   

Microsoft Corporation

         244,271         11,407,456   

Oracle Corporation

         214,960         8,585,500   
            34,327,999   
         

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 3.79%          

Apple Incorporated

         114,552         13,895,158   

SanDisk Corporation

         136,308         8,218,009   
            22,113,167   
         

 

 

 

Materials: 3.68%

         
Chemicals: 1.74%          

The Dow Chemical Company

         215,448         10,138,983   
         

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 1.94%          

Avery Dennison Corporation

         186,525         11,350,046   
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $495,983,107)

            572,043,109   
         

 

 

 
    Yield                    
Short-Term Investments: 2.12%          
Investment Companies: 2.12%          

Wells Fargo Advantage Cash Investment Money Market Fund, Select Class (l)(u)

    0.13        12,400,443         12,400,443   
         

 

 

 

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $12,400,443)

            12,400,443   
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $508,383,550) *     100.10        584,443,552   

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.10        (589,850
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 583,853,702   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

(l) The security represents an affiliate of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

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

 

* Cost for federal income tax purposes is $508,440,388 and unrealized gains (losses) consists of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 92,125,846   

Gross unrealized losses

     (16,122,682
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains

   $ 76,003,164   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

12   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Statement of assets and liabilities—July 31, 2015
         

Assets

 

Investments

 

In unaffiliated securities, at value (cost $495,983,107)

  $ 572,043,109   

In affiliated securities, at value (cost $12,400,443)

    12,400,443   
 

 

 

 

Total investments, at value (cost $508,383,550)

    584,443,552   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    3,650,117   

Receivable for dividends

    530,406   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    64,216   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    588,688,291   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    3,706,485   

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    506,083   

Management fee payable

    294,614   

Distribution fee payable

    34,830   

Administration fees payable

    126,993   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    165,584   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    4,834,589   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 583,853,702   
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 501,208,661   

Undistributed net investment income

    1,025,908   

Accumulated net realized gains on investments

    5,559,131   

Net unrealized gains on investments

    76,060,002   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 583,853,702   
 

 

 

 

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 97,040,869   

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    6,136,488   

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $15.81   

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $16.77   

Net assets – Class C

  $ 53,076,322   

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    3,400,174   

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $15.61   

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 83,692,149   

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    5,272,311   

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $15.87   

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 63,235,345   

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    3,974,802   

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $15.91   

Net assets – Investor Class

  $ 286,809,017   

Shares outstanding – Investor Class1

    18,095,976   

Net asset value per share – Investor Class

    $15.85   

 

 

1  The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Statement of operations—year ended July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     13   
         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $21,359)

  $ 6,208,881   

Income from affiliated securities

    9,054   

Securities lending income, net

    5,547   
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    6,223,482   
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    2,933,016   

Administration fees

 

Class A

    156,736   

Class C

    74,098   

Administrator Class

    39,516   

Institutional Class

    25,157   

Investor Class

    840,295   

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    154,775   

Class C

    73,481   

Administrator Class

    93,352   

Investor Class

    656,481   

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    220,443   

Custody and accounting fees

    40,681   

Professional fees

    47,692   

Registration fees

    57,736   

Shareholder report expenses

    55,296   

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,865   

Other fees and expenses

    11,069   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    5,491,689   

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (557,149
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    4,934,540   
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    1,288,942   
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS

 

Net realized gains on investments

    23,591,082   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    11,901,160   
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    35,492,242   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 36,781,184   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

14   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Statement of changes in net assets
    

Year ended

July 31, 2015

   

Year ended

July 31, 2014

 

Operations

     

Net investment income

    $ 1,288,942        $ 1,039,386   

Net realized gains on investments

      23,591,082          28,939,604   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      11,901,160          10,631,186   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      36,781,184          40,610,176   
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net investment income

       

Class A

      (183,035       (146,205

Class C

      0          (6,279

Administrator Class

      (122,314       (28,910

Institutional Class

      (94,797       (5,938

Investor Class

      (308,152       (1,041,373
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (708,298       (1,228,705
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares          Shares     

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    5,820,072        89,378,472        1,247,306        16,588,541   

Class C

    3,114,897        47,430,665        345,172        4,598,982   

Administrator Class

    5,744,427        89,108,080        412,731        5,556,845   

Institutional Class

    3,978,349        62,377,535        366,712        5,140,707   

Investor Class

    3,949,960        61,216,814        1,798,050        24,364,843   
 

 

 

 
      349,511,566          56,249,918   
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    11,869        173,408        10,833        140,173   

Class C

    0        0        372        4,789   

Administrator Class

    8,331        122,042        2,030        26,308   

Institutional Class

    5,103        74,803        445        5,766   

Investor Class

    20,620        302,078        78,721        1,020,228   
 

 

 

 
      672,331          1,197,264   
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (1,561,861     (24,219,042     (650,098     (8,833,379

Class C

    (323,242     (4,921,172     (51,205     (689,445

Administrator Class

    (958,200     (14,722,079     (35,053     (487,058

Institutional Class

    (411,020     (6,506,688     (8,935     (120,053

Investor Class

    (1,941,756     (29,909,371     (1,522,071     (20,267,093
 

 

 

 
      (80,278,352       (30,397,028
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      269,905,545          27,050,154   
 

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

      305,978,431          66,431,625   
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

      277,875,271          211,443,646   
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 583,853,702        $ 277,875,271   
 

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income

    $ 1,025,908        $ 445,264   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     15   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS A   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.30        $12.13        $9.50        $8.75        $7.37   

Net investment income

    0.06        0.06 1      0.07        0.06        0.05   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.50        2.20        2.64        0.74        1.36   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.56        2.26        2.71        0.80        1.41   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.05     (0.09     (0.08     (0.05     (0.03

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.81        $14.30        $12.13        $9.50        $8.75   

Total return2

    10.99     18.58     28.76     9.27     19.16

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.26     1.29     1.33     1.37     1.30

Net expenses

    1.14     1.14     1.14     1.14     1.14

Net investment income

    0.35     0.47     0.75     0.71     0.61

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    44     61     67     41     43

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $97,041        $26,685        $15,267        $8,277        $7,495   

 

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


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16   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS C   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.17        $12.05        $9.45        $8.71        $7.37   

Net investment loss

    (0.06 )1      (0.01     (0.00 )2      (0.00 )2      (0.01

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.50        2.15        2.62        0.74        1.35   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.44        2.14        2.62        0.74        1.34   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        (0.02     (0.02     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.61        $14.17        $12.05        $9.45        $8.71   

Total return3

    10.16     17.73     27.82     8.50     18.18

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    2.01     2.04     2.08     2.12     2.05

Net expenses

    1.89     1.89     1.89     1.89     1.89

Net investment loss

    (0.38 )%      (0.30 )%      (0.01 )%      (0.04 )%      (0.13 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    44     61     67     41     43

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $53,076        $8,624        $3,786        $2,041        $1,750   

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Amount is less than $0.005.

 

3  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


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Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     17   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.34        $12.16        $9.52        $8.77        $7.38   

Net investment income

    0.10        0.09        0.10        0.09        0.07 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.50        2.20        2.64        0.74        1.36   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.60        2.29        2.74        0.83        1.43   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.07     (0.11     (0.10     (0.08     (0.04

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.87        $14.34        $12.16        $9.52        $8.77   

Total return

    11.28     18.83     29.12     9.61     19.44

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.11     1.11     1.14     1.16     1.08

Net expenses

    0.90     0.90     0.89     0.87     0.86

Net investment income

    0.61     0.63     1.00     0.97     0.76

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    44     61     67     41     43

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $83,692        $6,849        $1,192        $522        $477   

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


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18   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.35        $12.16        $9.52        $8.77        $7.38   

Net investment income

    0.14 1      0.11 1      0.13 1      0.12        0.10 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.50        2.21        2.63        0.73        1.35   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.64        2.32        2.76        0.85        1.45   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.08     (0.13     (0.12     (0.10     (0.06

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.91        $14.35        $12.16        $9.52        $8.77   

Total return

    11.51     19.21     29.38     9.88     19.65

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.84     0.85     0.90     0.94     0.86

Net expenses

    0.66     0.66     0.66     0.66     0.66

Net investment income

    0.86     0.83     1.24     1.19     1.32

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    44     61     67     41     43

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $63,235        $5,775        $537        $480        $478   

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


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Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     19   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INVESTOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.31        $12.13        $9.50        $8.75        $7.38   

Net investment income

    0.04        0.06        0.07        0.06        0.05   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.52        2.19        2.63        0.74        1.35   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.56        2.25        2.70        0.80        1.40   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.02     (0.07     (0.07     (0.05     (0.03

Net asset value, end of period

    $15.85        $14.31        $12.13        $9.50        $8.75   

Total return

    10.90     18.58     28.63     9.21     18.97

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.32     1.35     1.38     1.43     1.37

Net expenses

    1.20     1.20     1.20     1.21     1.21

Net investment income

    0.27     0.44     0.69     0.64     0.53

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    44     61     67     41     43

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $286,809        $229,941        $190,661        $159,422        $158,966   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


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20   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Notes to financial statements

1. ORGANIZATION

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

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time).

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

Equity securities that are not listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market, but have a public trading market, are valued at the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer that the Management Valuation Team of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”) has determined is an acceptable source.

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

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

Valuations of fair valued securities are compared to the next actual sales price when available, or other appropriate market values, to assess the continued appropriateness of the fair valuation methodologies used. These securities are fair valued on a day-to-day basis, taking into consideration changes to appropriate market information and any significant changes to the inputs considered in the valuation process until there is a readily available price provided on an exchange or by an independent pricing service. Valuations received from an independent pricing service or independent broker-dealer quotes are periodically validated by comparisons to most recent trades and valuations provided by other independent pricing services in addition to the review of prices by the manager and/or subadviser. Unobservable inputs used in determining fair valuations are identified based on the type of security, taking into consideration factors utilized by market participants in valuing the investment, knowledge about the issuer and the current market environment.

Security loans

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Fund continues to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The Fund receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund will be affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In addition, the investment of any cash collateral received may lose all or part of its value. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     21   

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). The Securities Lending Fund is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act and is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”). Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser. The Securities Lending Fund seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments. Securities Lending Fund investments are fair valued based upon the amortized cost valuation technique. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund is included in securities lending income on the Statement of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

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

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

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Such distributions are determined in conformity with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Federal and other taxes

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

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

As of July 31, 2015, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future net realized capital gains in the amount of $309,497 expiring in 2017.

Class allocations

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

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

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

 

n   Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

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

 

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


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22   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Notes to financial statements

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of July 31, 2015:

 

     Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Consumer discretionary

   $ 94,967,029       $ 0       $ 0       $ 94,967,029   

Consumer staples

     39,297,247         0         0         39,297,247   

Energy

     40,634,640         0         0         40,634,640   

Financials

     84,004,342         0         0         84,004,342   

Health care

     112,447,348         0         0         112,447,348   

Industrials

     58,895,461         0         0         58,895,461   

Information technology

     120,308,013         0         0         120,308,013   

Materials

     21,489,029         0         0         21,489,029   

Short-term investments

        0         0      

Investment companies

     12,400,443         0         0         12,400,443   

Total assets

   $ 584,443,552       $ 0       $ 0       $ 584,443,552   

The Fund recognizes transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period. At July 31, 2015, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the applicable subadviser, providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations, and providing any other fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual management fee starting at 0.70% and declining to 0.505% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. For the period from December 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, Funds Management was entitled to receive an annual fee which started at 0.65% and declined to 0.475% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. From August 1, 2014 through November 30, 2014, Funds Management received an annual advisory fee which started at 0.65% and declined to 0.55% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. In addition, prior to July 1, 2015, fund-level administrative services were provided by Funds Management under a separate administration agreement at an annual fee which started at 0.05% and declined to 0.03% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For financial statement purposes, advisory fees and fund-level administration fees for the year ended July 31, 2015 have been included in management fee on the Statement of Operations.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Golden Capital Management, LLC, an affiliate of Funds Management, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.35% and declining to 0.30% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Administration fees

Under a class-level administration agreement, Funds Management provides class-level administrative services to the Fund, which includes paying fees and expenses for services provided by the transfer agent, sub-transfer agents, omnibus


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     23   

account servicers and record-keepers. As compensation for its services under the class-level administration agreement, Funds Management receives an annual fee which is calculated based on the average daily net assets of each class as follows:

 

     Class-level administration fee  
     Current rate        Rate prior to
July 1, 2015
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21        0.26

Administrator Class

     0.13           0.10   

Institutional Class

     0.13           0.08   

Investor Class

     0.32           0.32   

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. Waiver of fees and/or reimbursement of expenses by Funds Management were made first from fund level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. Funds Management has committed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap expenses as follows:

 

     Expense ratio cap        Expiration date  

Class A

     1.14        November 30, 2016   

Class C

     1.89           November 30, 2016   

Administrator Class

     0.90        November 30, 2015

Institutional Class

     0.66        November 30, 2015

Investor Class

     1.20           November 30, 2015   

 

* Effective December 1, 2015, the expense ratio caps will be 1.00% and 0.70% for Administrator Class and Institutional Class, respectively, until November 30, 2016.

After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

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

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended July 31, 2015, Funds Distributor received $73,859 from the sale of Class A shares and $125 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, Administrator Class, and Investor Class of the Fund is charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class.

A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended July 31, 2015 were $445,716,852 and $181,332,177, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds and certain other funds in the Trust) and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $150,000,000 revolving credit agreement, whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit


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24   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Notes to financial statements

agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.10% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the Fund paid $557 in commitment fees.

For the year ended July 31, 2015, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid was $708,298 and $1,228,705 of ordinary income for the years ended July 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014, respectively.

As of July 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
ordinary
income
   Undistributed
long-term gain
   Unrealized
gains
   Capital loss
carryforward
$1,025,937    $5,925,466    $76,003,164    $(309,497)

8. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.


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Report of independent registered public accounting firm   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     25   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund (the “Fund”), one of the funds constituting the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, as of July 31, 2015, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of July 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund as of July 31, 2015, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

September 23, 2015


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26   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Other information (unaudited)

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 100% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $708,298 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

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

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The complete portfolio holdings for the Fund are publicly available monthly on the Fund’s website (wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com), on a one-month delayed basis. In addition, top ten holdings information (excluding derivative positions) for the Fund is publicly available on the Fund’s website on a monthly, seven-day or more delayed basis. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which is available by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and at regional offices in New York City, at 233 Broadway, and in Chicago, at 175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     27   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds, which consists of 133 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Other
directorships during
past five years
William R. Ebsworth
(Born 1957)
  Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director at Fidelity Management and Research Company and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Mr. Ebsworth is an Adjunct Lecturer, Finance, at Babson College and a Chartered Financial Analyst.   Asset Allocation Trust
Jane A. Freeman
(Born 1953)
  Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is a Chartered Financial Analyst (inactive), Chair of Taproot Foundation (non-profit organization) and a Board Member of Ruth Bancroft Garden (non-profit organization).   Asset Allocation Trust
Peter G. Gordon
(Born 1942)
  Trustee, since 1998; Chairman, since 2005   Co-Founder, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser Water Company. Trustee Emeritus, Colby College.   Asset Allocation Trust
Isaiah Harris, Jr.
(Born 1952)
  Trustee, since 2009   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy. Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant.   CIGNA Corporation; Asset Allocation Trust
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)   Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   Asset Allocation Trust
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Morgan Stanley Director of the Center for Leadership Development and Research and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   Asset Allocation Trust


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28   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Other information (unaudited)
Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service*
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer   Other
directorships during
past five years
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   Asset Allocation Trust
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007 and Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   Asset Allocation Trust
Michael S. Scofield (Born 1943)   Trustee, since 2010   Served on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 2008-2011 as well the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council from 2006-2011 and the Independent Directors Council Executive Committee from 2008-2011. Chairman of the IDC from 2008-2010. Institutional Investor (Fund Directions) Trustee of Year in 2007. Trustee of the Evergreen Funds complex (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010. Chairman of the Evergreen Funds from 2000-2010. Former Trustee of the Mentor Funds. Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.   Asset Allocation Trust
Donald C. Willeke (Born 1940)   Trustee, since 1996   Principal of the law firm of Willeke & Daniels. General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1984 until its consolidation into the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010. Director and Vice Chair of The Tree Trust (non-profit corporation). Director of the American Chestnut Foundation (non-profit corporation).   Asset Allocation Trust

 

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

 

** William R. Ebsworth and Jane A. Freeman each became a Trustee effective January 1, 2015.

Officers

 

Name and
year of birth
  Position held and
length of service
  Principal occupations during past five years or longer    
Karla M. Rabusch
(Born 1959)
  President, since 2003   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2003.    
Jeremy DePalma1
(Born 1974)
  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2007. Head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.    
C. David Messman
(Born 1960)
  Secretary, since 2000; Chief Legal Officer, since 2003   Senior Vice President and Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2001. Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2013 and Vice President and Managing Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank N.A. from 1996 to 2013.    
Debra Ann Early
(Born 1964)
  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2007   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2007 and Chief Compliance Officer from 2007 to 2014. Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2005 to 2007. Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2004 to 2007 and Senior Audit Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1998 to 2004.    
David Berardi
(Born 1975)
  Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Assistant Vice President of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2008. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.    

 

 

1  Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 61 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 72 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     29   

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

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at an in-person meeting held on May 19-20, 2015 (the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); (ii) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Funds Management; and (iii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Golden Capital Management, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Fund’s Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) applicable to Fund-level administrative services. The Advisory Agreement, the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at an in-person meeting in March 2015, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2015. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Funds Management, and the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board noted that the services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement combined the advisory services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Fund-level administrative services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Administration Agreement. The Board received a representation from Funds Management that combining these services would not result in any change to the nature or level of services provided by Funds Management to the Fund.

The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance


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30   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund   Other information (unaudited)

programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund performance and expenses

The Board considered the performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended March 31, 2015. The Board considered these results in comparison to the performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Lipper is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the performance of the Fund (Class A) was higher than the performance of the Universe for all periods under review. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was higher than its benchmark, S&P 500 Index, for all periods under review.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees (which reflect fee waivers, if any, and include advisory, administration and transfer agent fees), custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Lipper to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Lipper reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups. The Board discussed and accepted Funds Management’s proposal to convert the Investor Class shares into Class A shares and to increase the net operating expense ratio caps for the Administrator Class and Institutional Class. In accepting such proposed new net operating expense ratio caps, the Board noted that the Fund’s new net operating expense ratios would still be lower than the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups.

The Board took into account the Fund performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement and approve the Management Agreement.

Investment advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rates that are payable by the Fund to Funds Management for investment advisory services (the “Advisory Agreement Rates”), both on a stand-alone basis and on a combined basis with the Fund’s fund-level and class-level contractual administration fee rates (the “Management Rates”). The Board noted that the Management Rates include transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs. The Board also noted that the fee rate to be paid by the Fund under the Management Agreement will incorporate the advisory fee and Fund-level administration fee previously payable separately by the Fund under the Fund’s Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement with Funds Management. The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rates”).

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Management Rates of the Fund with those of other funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were lower than or in range of the average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total advisory fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. However, given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of the advisory fee between them.

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


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     31   

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable, in light of the services covered by the Advisory Agreements.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of Wells Fargo as a whole, from providing services to the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board also received and considered information concerning the profitability of the Sub-Adviser, if any, from providing services to the fund family as a whole, noting that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund was subsumed in the Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

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

Economies of scale

With respect to possible economies of scale, the Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory and management fee structures, and the Fund’s administration fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size. It considered that, for a small fund or a fund that shrinks in size, breakpoints conversely can result in higher fee levels. The Board also considered that fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements and competitive fee rates at the outset are means of sharing potential economies of scale with shareholders of the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board considered Funds Management’s view that any analyses of potential economies of scale in managing a particular fund are inherently limited in light of the joint and common costs and investments that Funds Management incurs across the fund family as a whole.

The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee and expense arrangements, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

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

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

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

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.


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List of abbreviations   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Core Fund     32   

The following is a list of common abbreviations for terms and entities that may have appeared in this report.

 

ACA —  ACA Financial Guaranty Corporation
ADR —  American depositary receipt
ADS —  American depositary shares
AGC —  Assured Guaranty Corporation
AGM —  Assured Guaranty Municipal
Ambac —  Ambac Financial Group Incorporated
AMT —  Alternative minimum tax
AUD —  Australian dollar
BAN —  Bond anticipation notes
BHAC —  Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation
BRL —  Brazilian real
CAB —  Capital appreciation bond
CAD —  Canadian dollar
CCAB —  Convertible capital appreciation bond
CDA —  Community Development Authority
CDO —  Collateralized debt obligation
CHF —  Swiss franc
COP —  Colombian peso
CLP —  Chilean peso
DKK —  Danish krone
DRIVER —  Derivative inverse tax-exempt receipts
DW&P —  Department of Water & Power
DWR —  Department of Water Resources
ECFA —  Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority
EDA —  Economic Development Authority
EDFA —  Economic Development Finance Authority
ETF —  Exchange-traded fund
EUR —  Euro
FDIC —  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FFCB —  Federal Farm Credit Banks
FGIC —  Financial Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FHA —  Federal Housing Administration
FHLB —  Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC —  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FICO —  The Financing Corporation
FNMA —  Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA —  Farm Service Agency
GBP —  Great British pound
GDR —  Global depositary receipt
GNMA —  Government National Mortgage Association
GO —  General obligation
HCFR —  Healthcare facilities revenue
HEFA —  Health & Educational Facilities Authority
HEFAR —  Higher education facilities authority revenue
HFA —  Housing Finance Authority
HFFA —  Health Facilities Financing Authority
HKD —  Hong Kong dollar
HUD —  Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUF —  Hungarian forint
IDA —  Industrial Development Authority
IDAG —  Industrial Development Agency
IDR —  Indonesian rupiah
IEP —  Irish pound
JPY —  Japanese yen
KRW —  Republic of Korea won
LIBOR —  London Interbank Offered Rate
LIFER —  Long Inverse Floating Exempt Receipts
LIQ —  Liquidity agreement
LLC —  Limited liability company
LLLP —  Limited liability limited partnership
LLP —  Limited liability partnership
LOC —  Letter of credit
LP —  Limited partnership
MBIA —  Municipal Bond Insurance Association
MFHR —  Multifamily housing revenue
MSTR —  Municipal securities trust receipts
MTN —  Medium-term note
MUD —  Municipal Utility District
MXN —  Mexican peso
MYR —  Malaysian ringgit
National —  National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation
NGN —  Nigerian naira
NOK —  Norwegian krone
NZD —  New Zealand dollar
PCFA —  Pollution Control Financing Authority
PCL —  Public Company Limited
PCR —  Pollution control revenue
PFA —  Public Finance Authority
PFFA —  Public Facilities Financing Authority
PFOTER —  Puttable floating option tax-exempt receipts
plc —  Public limited company
PLN —  Polish zloty
PUTTER —  Puttable tax-exempt receipts
R&D —  Research & development
Radian —  Radian Asset Assurance
RAN —  Revenue anticipation notes
RDA —  Redevelopment Authority
RDFA —  Redevelopment Finance Authority
REIT —  Real estate investment trust
ROC —  Reset option certificates
RON —  Romanian lei
RUB —  Russian ruble
SAVRS —  Select auction variable rate securities
SBA —  Small Business Authority
SDR —  Swedish depositary receipt
SEK —  Swedish krona
SFHR —  Single-family housing revenue
SFMR —  Single-family mortgage revenue
SGD —  Singapore dollar
SPA —  Standby purchase agreement
SPDR —  Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts
SPEAR —   Short Puttable Exempt Adjustable Receipts
STRIPS —  Separate trading of registered interest and
           principal securities
TAN —  Tax anticipation notes
TBA —  To be announced
THB —  Thai baht
TIPS —  Treasury inflation-protected securities
TRAN —  Tax revenue anticipation notes
TRY —  Turkish lira
TTFA —  Transportation Trust Fund Authority
TVA —  Tennessee Valley Authority
ZAR —  South African rand
 


Table of Contents

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For more information

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

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

P.O. Box 8266

Boston, MA 02266-8266

Email: wfaf@wellsfargo.com

Website: wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

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

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, provides investment advisory and administrative services for Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. Other affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company provide subadvisory and other services for the Funds. The Funds are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE

© 2015 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

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236196 09-15

A208/AR208 07-15


Table of Contents

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Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund

 

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Annual Report

July 31, 2015

 

 

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Table of Contents

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

Contents

 

 

 

Letter to shareholders

    2   

Performance highlights

    4   

Fund expenses

    8   

Portfolio of investments

    9   
Financial statements  

Statement of assets and liabilities

    13   

Statement of operations

    14   

Statement of changes in net assets

    15   

Financial highlights

    16   

Notes to financial statements

    24   

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

    29   

Other information

    30   

List of abbreviations

    37   

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of July 31, 2015, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements; the views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE



Table of Contents

 

2   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 


 

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period

 

 

Dear Valued Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015. Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period (as measured by the S&P 500 Index1). In contrast, many economies and markets elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges.

Positive U.S. economic data but increased tensions abroad led to heightened market volatility in the last five months of 2014.

Following a negative monthly return for July 2014, the S&P 500 Index bounced back in August on a string of positive economic news, led by a 4.2% revised second-quarter 2014 gross domestic product (GDP) reading. The S&P 500 Index gave back some of its August gains in September, however; stock market volatility increased as positive economic data became overshadowed at times by growing discomfort over escalating tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East and slowing growth in Europe and China. Ultimately, U.S. stocks ended the third quarter up slightly overall, buoyed largely by strong corporate earnings and another upward revision of second-quarter GDP growth (to 4.6%).

The fourth quarter of 2014 brought continued improvement in the U.S.; international economies remained challenged. Strong fourth-quarter results by U.S. stocks helped the S&P 500 Index deliver more than 50 record closes in 2014. The last several, in December, were spurred by investor optimism following U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Janet Yellen’s comment that the Fed would be patient in its timing of an interest-rate increase. U.S. stocks also were boosted by positive economic data; November’s 5.8% unemployment rate was down from 7.0% a year earlier, and the number of jobs being added continued to expand. In addition, the U.S. economy’s third-quarter growth rate was revised upward to 5.0% during the quarter, and U.S. companies continued to report strong earnings. The steadily brightening U.S. economy energized consumers, who were further buoyed by much lower prices at the gasoline pump. As the U.S. chugged forward, though, major economies elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges. While Japan eased out of a two-quarter contraction, growth in China continued to slow and Russia’s economy contracted for the first time since 2009. In the eurozone, growth remained sluggish; this situation was exacerbated in December by renewed concerns about Greece after its parliament failed to avert a general election that could jeopardize the country’s financial agreements with its creditors.

In the first quarter of 2015, U.S. large caps delivered positive results but underperformed small- and mid-cap stocks; major markets elsewhere rallied.

U.S. large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks tended to move similarly during the quarter until early March, when results began to diverge by market capitalization. Larger caps slipped that month as investor concern grew over the strengthening U.S. dollar’s potentially negative effect on the profits of large U.S. multinational firms; however, stocks of small and midsize companies, which tend to be less affected by movements in the dollar, performed better. Positive stock results were supported by a gradually improving U.S. economy. The labor market continued to grow, along with personal income and consumer confidence. For U.S. businesses, the quarter’s data were mixed; while many companies reported strong earnings, other data indicated potential weakening in manufacturing. Elsewhere in the world, major markets enjoyed positive returns spurred by accommodative monetary policies from major central banks and signs of improvement in some struggling economies.

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Letter to shareholders (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     3   

U.S. large caps experienced challenges during the second quarter of 2015.

The S&P 500 Index fluctuated widely during this quarter, eventually eking out a 0.28% gain for the period. Larger-cap stocks at times were pressured by ongoing investor concerns over the potentially negative effects of financially troubled overseas economies and the strengthening U.S. dollar. The U.S. economy picked up traction during the quarter; consumer spending improved, and positive trends were evident in construction and new-home sales. Jobs growth remained a bright spot as well. Fed officials, who have kept interest rates low while waiting for the U.S. jobs market to sufficiently improve and for inflation to approach their 2% target, made clear that they could take action soon. Throughout the quarter, markets outside the U.S. continued to experience volatility, triggered by uncertainty over the potential impact of financial challenges in other locations—most notably in Greece and Puerto Rico. Questions over slower growth in China caused investor concern as well.

July 2015 brought a bounce-back for U.S. large caps.

U.S. large-cap stocks delivered 2.10% for the month (as measured by the S&P 500 Index). The boost was supported by encouraging U.S. economic data, including positive earnings reports from a range of U.S. companies, increased retail spending by U.S. consumers, and further improvement in the jobs market.

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

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

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

Notice to shareholders

At a meeting held on August 11–12, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change in the name of the Fund whereby the word “Advantage” will be removed from its name, effective December 15, 2015.

 

For current information about your fund investments, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Table of Contents

 

4   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Joseph M. Eberhardy, CFA, CPA

Thomas C. Ognar, CFA

Bruce C. Olson, CFA

Average annual total returns1 (%) as of July 31, 2015

 

        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
Class A (STAFX)   7-30-2010     7.77        15.51        7.91        14.35        16.88        8.56        1.17        1.07   
Class C (STOFX)   7-30-2010     12.47        16.01        7.78        13.47        16.01        7.78        1.92        1.82   
Class R (STMFX)   6-15-2012                          14.05        16.61        8.36        1.42        1.32   
Class R4 (SLGRX)   11-30-2012                          14.69        17.28        8.74        0.89        0.75   
Class R6 (STFFX)   11-30-2012                          14.88        17.38        8.79        0.74        0.60   
Administrator Class (STDFX)   7-30-2010                          14.48        17.04        8.63        1.09        0.95   
Institutional Class (STNFX)   7-30-2010                          14.82        17.34        8.77        0.84        0.65   
Investor Class (STRFX)   12-30-1981                          14.25        16.80        8.52        1.28        1.13   
Russell 1000® Growth Index4                            16.08        17.75        8.95                 

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

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

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R, Class R4, Class R6, Administrator Class, Institutional Class, and Investor Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     5   
Growth of $10,000 investment5 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

 

 

 

1  Historical performance shown for Class A and Administrator shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Investor Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to Investor Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns would be higher. Historical performance shown for Class C shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Investor Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to Class C shares. Historical performance shown for Class R shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Investor Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to Class R shares. Historical performance shown for Class R4 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Institutional Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to Class R4 shares. Historical performance shown for Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Institutional Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to Institutional Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns would be higher. Historical performance for Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Investor Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to Investor Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns would be higher.

 

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

 

3  The manager has contractually committed through November 30, 2015, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at the amounts shown. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the cap. Without this cap, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.

 

4  The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5  The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Russell 1000 Growth Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

6  The ten largest holdings, excluding cash and cash equivalents, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

7  Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.


Table of Contents

 

6   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

n   The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index, for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015.

 

n   The period’s steep decline in the prices of energy commodities negatively affected many of the Fund’s holdings within the energy sector along with its railroad holdings in the industrials sector.

 

n   The Fund benefited from holdings within the health care and consumer discretionary sectors.

Growth stocks exhibited strength over the 12-month period, as evidenced by the Russell 1000 Growth Index’s 16.08% return.

Corporate earnings growth and favorable monetary policy helped drive the impressive results. Strong gains were visible across several market sectors, despite fluctuations in the U.S. economy and ongoing concerns regarding economic conditions outside the U.S. We continued to focus on companies with the potential to thrive in a variety of economic environments through company-specific catalysts.

 

Ten largest holdings6 (%) as of July 31, 2015  

Apple Incorporated

     3.42   

Facebook Incorporated Class A

     3.35   

Google Incorporated Class A

     2.71   

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

     2.64   

Dollar Tree Incorporated

     2.45   

MasterCard Incorporated Class A

     2.43   

Union Pacific Corporation

     2.36   

Nike Incorporated Class B

     2.17   

Alliance Data Systems Corporation

     2.14   

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

     2.08   

Stock selection within the energy and industrials sectors hindered the Fund’s relative performance.

Within the energy sector, exploration and production (E&P) holdings, including Pioneer Natural Resources Company, experienced share-price weakness in the midst of a significant decline in crude-oil prices. We recently reduced the Fund’s weighting to the energy sector due to our concern that some E&P companies were moving too quickly to ramp up production in light of the low expectations for crude-oil and natural gas prices. Within the industrials sector, the Fund’s railroad holdings suffered overall from declining transportation volumes in areas such as coal and from items related to energy infrastructure. Railroads continue to be challenged by lower-than-expected volumes driven primarily by

 

decreased demand for coal. Although our long-term thesis—predicated on cost efficiencies, diversified product mixes, and pricing power—remains intact, we trimmed the sizes of some positions as a risk adjustment while we work through these transitory issues.

 

Sector distribution7 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

The Fund benefited from solid performance by holdings with strong secular growth in the health care and consumer discretionary sectors.

Strong gains from biotechnology holdings boosted relative performance in the health care sector. Key contributors benefited from multiple catalysts, including strong sales growth of existing medical solutions, promising pipeline developments, FDA drug approvals, and favorable merger and acquisition activity. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, the Fund’s top contributor in biotechnology, delivered strong sales growth and received approval for an additional application of EYLEA, its key medical solution, for treating diabetic macular edema. Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated also performed well, driven by progress in its pipeline and

 

strong sales of its drug Soliris for multiple applications. Biotechnology continues to be among the largest industry overweights in the Fund. Many Fund holdings within this industry have been trading at attractive valuations given the growth they could generate in coming years. The Fund generated outperformance in the consumer discretionary sector

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     7   

as well, due partly to Dollar Tree Incorporated, and O’Reilly Automotive Incorporated. Dollar Tree benefited from same-store sales growth, an increased store count, and anticipated synergies from its pending acquisition of Family Dollar Stores, Incorporated. O’Reilly’s stock climbed more than 60% during the period as the company continued to target do-it-yourself customers and professional installers; O’Reilly also benefited from an increase in the total number of miles driven in the U.S. and the country’s aging automotive fleet.

Our outlook remains positive.

We believe the Federal Reserve is likely to exercise prudence in raising interest rates, taking relevant factors into consideration in making these decisions. Given the U.S. dollar’s current strength relative to other currencies and the low-interest-rate environment in much of the world, we anticipate that any rate increases implemented in the U.S. likely will be accompanied by meaningful expansion in the U.S. economy. Growth stocks tend to be challenged in a rising-interest-rate environment; however, given many investors’ pervasive thirst for dividend yield at times over the past few years, we believe a measured rise in interest rates could lead investors to continue refocusing on companies with strong growth fundamentals, which could be a positive for the Fund.

We continue to feel comfortable with the valuations of the rapidly growing companies within the Fund relative to the valuations of their slower-growing counterparts. Holdings in a variety of sectors have either met or exceeded consensus expectations. For example, data analytics and security holdings within the information technology sector have continued to deliver strong results. Also within this sector, companies using cloud-based architecture to create efficiencies for businesses through online service platforms have added value as many firms have adopted new technology infrastructures. Overall, many of the Fund’s holdings have been trading at valuations close to their average historical levels and remain attractive to us relative to the rest of the market.

Going forward, investors may further recognize the growth potential of the Fund’s holdings and reward them accordingly, especially as higher interest rates make slower-growing, higher-dividend-yielding stocks less attractive. We believe our investment style—seeking robust growth companies with sustainable business models that are underappreciated by investors—positions us well to take advantage of future opportunities within the market.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

8   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Fund expenses (unaudited)

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

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from February 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

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

 

     Beginning
account value
2-1-2015
     Ending
account value
7-31-2015
     Expenses
paid during
the period1
     Net annualized
expense ratio
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,087.82       $ 5.54         1.07

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,019.49       $ 5.36         1.07

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,083.64       $ 9.40         1.82

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,015.77       $ 9.10         1.82

Class R

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,086.50       $ 6.83         1.32

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,018.25       $ 6.61         1.32

Class R4

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,089.59       $ 3.89         0.75

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,021.08       $ 3.76         0.75

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,090.55       $ 3.11         0.60

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,021.82       $ 3.01         0.60

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,088.45       $ 4.92         0.95

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,020.08       $ 4.76         0.95

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,090.16       $ 3.37         0.65

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,021.57       $ 3.26         0.65

Investor Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,087.57       $ 5.85         1.13

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,019.19       $ 5.66         1.13

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     9   

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  

Common Stocks: 99.30%

          

Consumer Discretionary: 28.10%

          
Auto Components: 0.63%           

Delphi Automotive plc

          130,000       $ 10,150,400   
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 5.98%           

Chipotle Mexican Grill Incorporated †

          42,000         31,173,660   

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Incorporated †

          420,000         11,277,000   

Marriott International Incorporated Class A

          298,000         21,637,780   

Starbucks Corporation

          569,000         32,962,170   
             97,050,610   
          

 

 

 
Internet & Catalog Retail: 3.42%           

Amazon.com Incorporated †

          61,000         32,705,150   

Netflix Incorporated †

          79,800         9,121,938   

The Priceline Group Incorporated †

          11,000         13,679,270   
             55,506,358   
          

 

 

 
Media: 3.59%           

CBS Corporation Class B

          270,000         14,436,900   

Comcast Corporation Class A

          196,000         12,232,360   

The Walt Disney Company

          264,000         31,680,000   
             58,349,260   
          

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 3.80%           

Dollar Tree Incorporated †

          510,000         39,795,300   

Nordstrom Incorporated

          287,000         21,900,970   
             61,696,270   
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 6.49%           

CarMax Incorporated †

          413,000         26,642,630   

O’Reilly Automotive Incorporated †

          120,000         28,837,200   

The Home Depot Incorporated

          169,000         19,778,070   

Tractor Supply Company

          325,000         30,069,000   
             105,326,900   
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 4.19%           

Nike Incorporated Class B

          306,000         35,257,320   

VF Corporation

          424,000         32,686,160   
             67,943,480   
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 4.96%

          
Food & Staples Retailing: 3.17%           

Costco Wholesale Corporation

          231,000         33,564,300   

CVS Health Corporation

          160,000         17,995,200   
             51,559,500   
          

 

 

 
Household Products: 0.61%           

Colgate-Palmolive Company

          145,000         9,862,900   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

10   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Personal Products: 1.18%           

The Estee Lauder Companies Incorporated Class A

          215,000       $ 19,158,650   
          

 

 

 

Energy: 1.64%

          
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.64%           

Concho Resources Incorporated †

          219,000         23,336,640   

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

          26,000         3,296,020   
             26,632,660   
          

 

 

 

Financials: 3.60%

          
Capital Markets: 2.45%           

Ameriprise Financial Incorporated

          107,000         13,446,690   

TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation

          719,000         26,408,870   
             39,855,560   
          

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 0.86%           

Discover Financial Services

          249,000         13,896,690   
          

 

 

 
REITs: 0.29%           

American Tower Corporation

          50,000         4,755,500   
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 17.98%

          
Biotechnology: 9.75%           

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          217,000         42,844,480   

Biogen Idec Incorporated †

          63,960         20,389,169   

Celgene Corporation †

          221,000         29,006,250   

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

          230,000         27,107,800   

Medivation Incorporated †

          49,000         5,161,170   

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          61,000         33,773,260   
             158,282,129   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 1.81%           

Intuitive Surgical Incorporated †

          19,000         10,130,230   

Medtronic plc

          246,148         19,295,541   
             29,425,771   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 1.40%           

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

          214,050         22,635,788   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Technology: 1.26%           

Cerner Corporation †

          285,000         20,440,200   
          

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 0.72%           

Illumina Incorporated †

          15,000         3,289,500   

Quintiles Transnational Holdings Incorporated †

          110,200         8,454,544   
             11,744,044   
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 3.04%           

Allergan plc †

          75,125         24,877,644   

Perrigo Company plc

          127,000         24,409,400   
             49,287,044   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     11   

      

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  

Industrials: 9.83%

          
Aerospace & Defense: 1.98%           

The Boeing Company

          140,000       $ 20,183,800   

United Technologies Corporation

          118,690         11,905,794   
             32,089,594   
          

 

 

 
Airlines: 0.96%           

Southwest Airlines Company

          429,000         15,529,800   
          

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates: 1.81%           

3M Company

          114,000         17,252,760   

Danaher Corporation

          133,240         12,199,454   
             29,452,214   
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 4.09%           

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited

          30,000         4,825,500   

Kansas City Southern

          132,680         13,160,529   

Norfolk Southern Corporation

          120,000         10,119,600   

Union Pacific Corporation

          393,000         38,352,870   
             66,458,499   
          

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 0.99%           

W.W. Grainger Incorporated

          70,000         16,009,700   
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 29.71%

          
Communications Equipment: 0.40%           

QUALCOMM Incorporated

          100,080         6,444,151   
          

 

 

 
Internet Software & Services: 9.05%           

Akamai Technologies Incorporated †

          198,000         15,188,580   

Facebook Incorporated Class A †

          579,000         54,431,790   

Google Incorporated Class A †

          67,000         44,052,500   

Google Incorporated Class C †

          53,000         33,157,330   
             146,830,200   
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 7.34%           

Accenture plc Class A

          145,000         14,950,950   

Alliance Data Systems Corporation †

          126,000         34,655,040   

MasterCard Incorporated Class A

          405,000         39,447,000   

Visa Incorporated Class A

          400,000         30,136,000   
             119,188,990   
          

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 2.83%           

ARM Holdings plc ADR

          258,000         12,136,320   

Microchip Technology Incorporated «

          475,000         20,349,000   

Texas Instruments Incorporated

          270,000         13,494,600   
             45,979,920   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

12   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

      

 

 

Security name              Shares      Value  
Software: 6.67%          

Adobe Systems Incorporated †

         177,000       $ 14,512,230   

Microsoft Corporation

         678,000         31,662,600   

Salesforce.com Incorporated †

         349,000         25,581,700   

ServiceNow Incorporated †

         248,300         19,988,150   

Splunk Incorporated †

         185,000         12,938,900   

VMware Incorporated Class A †

         40,000         3,565,200   
            108,248,780   
         

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 3.42%          

Apple Incorporated

         458,090         55,566,317   
         

 

 

 

Materials: 3.48%

         
Chemicals: 3.48%          

Ecolab Incorporated

         201,760         23,365,826   

Monsanto Company

         74,000         7,539,860   

Praxair Incorporated

         224,000         25,567,360   
            56,473,046   
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $1,014,415,032)

            1,611,830,925   
         

 

 

 
    Yield                    
Short-Term Investments: 1.41%          
Investment Companies: 1.41%          

Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (l)(r)(u)

    0.14        9,072,800         9,072,800   

Wells Fargo Advantage Cash Investment Money Market Fund, Select Class (l)(u)

    0.13           13,762,760         13,762,760   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $22,835,560)

            22,835,560      
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $1,037,250,592) *     100.71        1,634,666,485   

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.71        (11,573,489
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 1,623,092,996   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

« All or a portion of this security is on loan.

 

(l) The security represents an affiliate of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

(r) The investment is a non-registered investment vehicle purchased with cash collateral received from securities on loan.

 

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

 

* Cost for federal income tax purposes is $1,038,580,517 and unrealized gains (losses) consists of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 599,864,994   

Gross unrealized losses

     (3,779,026
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains

   $ 596,085,968   

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Statement of assets and liabilities—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     13   
         

Assets

 

Investments

 

In unaffiliated securities (including $8,833,608 of securities loaned), at value (cost $1,014,415,032)

  $ 1,611,830,925   

In affiliated securities, at value (cost $22,835,560)

    22,835,560   
 

 

 

 

Total investments, at value (cost $1,037,250,592)

    1,634,666,485   

Receivable for investments sold

    4,191,534   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    740,266   

Receivable for dividends

    450,474   

Receivable for securities lending income

    3,771   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    63,396   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,640,115,926   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    4,960,517   

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    1,602,985   

Payable upon receipt of securities loaned

    9,072,800   

Management fee payable

    778,020   

Distribution fees payable

    18,110   

Administration fees payable

    277,670   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    312,828   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    17,022,930   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,623,092,996   
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 955,752,398   

Undistributed net investment income

    1,032,532   

Accumulated net realized gains on investments

    68,892,173   

Net unrealized gains on investments

    597,415,893   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 1,623,092,996   
 

 

 

 

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 184,504,170   

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    3,723,757   

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $49.55   

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $52.57   

Net assets – Class C

  $ 22,839,262   

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    478,987   

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $47.68   

Net assets – Class R

  $ 12,086,031   

Shares outstanding – Class R1

    246,112   

Net asset value per share – Class R

    $49.11   

Net assets – Class R4

  $ 7,204,602   

Share outstanding – Class R41

    143,430   

Net asset value per share – Class R4

    $50.23   

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 117,741,212   

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    2,338,913   

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $50.34   

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 262,534,969   

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    5,267,753   

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $49.84   

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 534,975,265   

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    10,635,080   

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $50.30   

Net assets – Investor Class

  $ 481,207,485   

Shares outstanding – Investor Class1

    9,734,826   

Net asset value per share – Investor Class

    $49.43   

 

 

1  The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

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


Table of Contents

 

14   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Statement of operations—year ended July 31, 2015
         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $3,413)

  $ 16,693,248   

Securities lending income, net

    196,046   

Income from affiliated securities

    16,807   
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    16,906,101   
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    10,888,946   

Administration fees

 

Class A

    515,794   

Class C

    58,773   

Class R

    30,808   

Class R4

    3,358   

Class R6

    5,108   

Administrator Class

    263,629   

Institutional Class

    522,665   

Investor Class

    1,537,108   

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    503,950   

Class C

    57,499   

Class R

    30,149   

Class R4

    4,198   

Administrator Class

    641,530   

Investor Class

    1,200,318   

Distribution fees

 

Class C

    172,495   

Class R

    30,149   

Custody and accounting fees

    85,599   

Professional fees

    45,853   

Registration fees

    66,500   

Shareholder report expenses

    89,618   

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    10,581   

Other fees and expenses

    27,974   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    16,792,602   

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (2,013,003
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    14,779,599   
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2,126,502   
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS

 

Net realized gains on investments

    86,753,919   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    129,352,284   
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    216,106,203   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 218,232,705   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Statement of changes in net assets   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     15   
     Year ended
July 31, 2015
    Year ended
July 31, 2014
 

Operations

     

Net investment income

    $ 2,126,502        $ 172,848   

Net realized gains on investments

      86,753,919          60,654,948   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      129,352,284          174,376,667   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      218,232,705          235,204,463   
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net investment income

       

Class R4

      0          (4,387

Class R6

      (5,386       (7,794

Administrator Class

      0          (59,550

Institutional Class

      (392,482       (1,868,612

Net realized gains

       

Class A

      (9,083,839       (4,658,059

Class C

      (1,024,179       (653,384

Class R

      (537,456       (306,050

Class R4

      (95,079       (60,168

Class R6

      (286,515       (74,852

Administrator Class

      (10,809,644       (7,171,992

Institutional Class

      (26,749,730       (19,978,900

Investor Class

      (21,002,277       (14,255,159
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (69,986,587       (49,098,907
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares          Shares     

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    604,229        28,340,904        2,384,131        107,006,712   

Class C

    91,683        4,185,001        170,033        7,224,612   

Class R

    83,403        3,934,240        136,101        5,915,209   

Class R4

    109,342        5,395,990        48,161        2,121,409   

Class R6

    2,237,120        108,798,050        83,639        3,865,129   

Administrator Class

    1,113,913        52,906,429        1,144,191        50,164,994   

Institutional Class

    1,575,447        75,088,702        4,448,404        195,300,403   

Investor Class

    770,891        36,000,565        987,838        42,995,980   
 

 

 

 
      314,649,881          414,594,448   
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    162,603        7,413,043        82,404        3,548,337   

Class C

    17,563        774,161        11,441        480,638   

Class R

    4,111        186,032        2,882        123,532   

Class R4

    2,062        95,079        1,485        64,555   

Class R6

    6,321        291,901        1,899        82,646   

Administrator Class

    235,753        10,802,180        162,979        7,043,571   

Institutional Class

    511,339        23,607,785        431,004        18,751,184   

Investor Class

    448,656        20,413,846        322,257        13,857,073   
 

 

 

 
      63,584,027          43,951,536   
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (1,728,758     (81,675,715     (1,093,357     (48,066,527

Class C

    (147,803     (6,761,459     (120,153     (5,074,286

Class R

    (114,456     (5,361,082     (71,737     (3,119,078

Class R4

    (14,494     (712,377     (3,419     (151,575

Class R6

    (34,221     (1,666,642     (12,634     (551,207

Administrator Class

    (1,474,270     (70,446,514     (1,133,872     (49,716,022

Institutional Class

    (4,464,060     (215,627,720     (4,554,967     (204,052,931

Investor Class

    (1,815,052     (85,116,561     (1,219,233     (53,051,196
 

 

 

 
      (467,368,070       (363,782,822
 

 

 

 

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

      (89,134,162       94,763,162   
 

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

      59,111,956          280,868,718   
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      1,563,981,040          1,283,112,322   
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 1,623,092,996        $ 1,563,981,040   
 

 

 

 

Undistributed (overdistributed) net investment income

    $ 1,032,532        $ (661,037
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

16   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS A   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $45.30        $39.73        $32.92        $31.62        $24.54   

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.01 )1      (0.06     0.04        (0.12 )1      (0.10 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    6.33        7.01        6.81        1.42        7.18   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.32        6.95        6.85        1.30        7.08   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        0.00        (0.04     0.00        0.00   

Net realized gains

    (2.07     (1.38     0.00        0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2.07     (1.38     (0.04     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $49.55        $45.30        $39.73        $32.92        $31.62   

Total return2

    14.35     17.69     20.84     4.08     28.89

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.20     1.22     1.23     1.24     1.25

Net expenses

    1.07     1.07     1.07     1.10     1.12

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.02 )%      (0.17 )%      0.09     (0.37 )%      (0.33 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    26     35     57     46     47

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $184,504        $212,273        $131,616        $75,149        $2,368   

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     17   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS C   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $43.99        $38.90        $32.43        $31.38        $24.54   

Net investment loss

    (0.42     (0.33     (0.20     (0.37 )1      (0.32 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    6.18        6.80        6.67        1.42        7.16   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    5.76        6.47        6.47        1.05        6.84   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (2.07     (1.38     0.00        0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $47.68        $43.99        $38.90        $32.43        $31.38   

Total return2

    13.47     16.81     19.95     3.31     27.91

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.95     1.97     1.98     1.99     2.00

Net expenses

    1.82     1.82     1.82     1.84     1.87

Net investment loss

    (0.77 )%      (0.89 )%      (0.65 )%      (1.16 )%      (1.04 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    26     35     57     46     47

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $22,839        $22,767        $17,748        $11,829        $272   

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

18   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS R   2015     2014     2013     20121  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $45.03        $39.59        $32.86        $32.91   

Net investment loss

    (0.16     (0.15     (0.06 )2      (0.05 )2 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    6.31        6.97        6.80        0.00 3 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.15        6.82        6.74        (0.05

Distributions to shareholders from

       

Net investment income

    0.00        0.00        (0.01     0.00   

Net realized gains

    (2.07     (1.38     0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2.07     (1.38     (0.01     0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $49.11        $45.03        $39.59        $32.86   

Total return4

    14.05     17.42     20.53     (0.15 )% 

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

       

Gross expenses

    1.45     1.47     1.47     1.47

Net expenses

    1.32     1.32     1.32     1.32

Net investment loss

    (0.28 )%      (0.41 )%      (0.16 )%      (0.95 )% 

Supplemental data

       

Portfolio turnover rate

    26     35     57     46

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $12,086        $12,295        $8,149        $5,065   

 

 

 

 

 

1  For the period from June 15, 2012 (commencement of class operations) to July 31, 2012

 

2  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3  Amount is less than $0.005.

 

4  Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     19   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS R4   2015     2014     20131  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $45.76        $40.05        $34.26   

Net investment income

    0.07        0.08        0.09   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    6.47        7.11        5.81   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.54        7.19        5.90   

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net investment income

    0.00        (0.10     (0.11

Net realized gains

    (2.07     (1.38     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2.07     (1.48     (0.11

Net asset value, end of period

    $50.23        $45.76        $40.05   

Total return2

    14.69     18.07     17.37

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

     

Gross expenses

    0.87     0.89     0.87

Net expenses

    0.75     0.75     0.75

Net investment income

    0.17     0.17     0.39

Supplemental data

     

Portfolio turnover rate

    26     35     57

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $7,205        $2,129        $12   

 

 

 

 

 

1  For the period from November 30, 2012 (commencement of class operations) to July 31, 2013

 

2  Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

20   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS R6   2015     2014     20131  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $45.82        $40.11        $34.26   

Net investment income

    0.07 2      0.12        0.15   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    6.56        7.11        5.82   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.63        7.23        5.97   

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net investment income

    (0.04     (0.14     (0.12

Net realized gains

    (2.07     (1.38     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2.11     (1.52     (0.12

Net asset value, end of period

    $50.34        $45.82        $40.11   

Total return3

    14.88     18.25     17.48

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

     

Gross expenses

    0.72     0.74     0.75

Net expenses

    0.60     0.60     0.60

Net investment income

    0.13     0.29     0.26

Supplemental data

     

Portfolio turnover rate

    26     35     57

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $117,741        $5,942        $2,278   

 

 

 

 

1  For the period from November 30, 2012 (commencement of class operations) to July 31, 2013

 

2  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

3  Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     21   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $45.50        $39.86        $33.02        $31.67        $24.54   

Net investment income (loss)

    0.05        (0.01     0.09 1      (0.06 )1      (0.06 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    6.36        7.04        6.83        1.41        7.19   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.41        7.03        6.92        1.35        7.13   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        (0.01     (0.08     0.00        0.00   

Net realized gains

    (2.07     (1.38     0.00        0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2.07     (1.39     (0.08     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $49.84        $45.50        $39.86        $33.02        $31.67   

Total return

    14.48     17.84     21.00     4.26     29.05

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.05     1.06     1.07     1.08     1.07

Net expenses

    0.95     0.95     0.95     0.95     0.94

Net investment income (loss)

    0.10     (0.02 )%      0.24     (0.17 )%      (0.19 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    26     35     57     46     47

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $262,535        $245,364        $208,053        $75,099        $1,379   

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


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22   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $45.80        $40.11        $33.16        $31.73        $24.54   

Net investment income (loss)

    0.19 1      0.11        0.20        (0.08 )1      (0.00 )2 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    6.41        7.09        6.86        1.51        7.19   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.60        7.20        7.06        1.43        7.19   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.03     (0.13     (0.11     0.00        0.00   

Net realized gains

    (2.07     (1.38     0.00        0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (2.10     (1.51     (0.11     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $50.30        $45.80        $40.11        $33.16        $31.73   

Total return

    14.82     18.16     21.34     4.47     29.34

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.78     0.79     0.79     0.80     0.81

Net expenses

    0.65     0.65     0.69     0.75     0.75

Net investment income (loss)

    0.40     0.28     0.53     (0.25 )%      (0.01 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    26     35     57     46     47

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $534,975        $596,006        $508,853        $601,684        $846   

 

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Amount is less than $0.005.

 

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


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Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     23   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INVESTOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $45.23        $39.69        $32.86        $31.59        $24.54   

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.05     (0.09     0.02        (0.07     (0.06

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    6.32        7.01        6.81        1.34        7.11   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    6.27        6.92        6.83        1.27        7.05   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (2.07     (1.38     0.00        0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $49.43        $45.23        $39.69        $32.86        $31.59   

Total return

    14.25     17.63     20.79     4.02     28.73

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.26     1.28     1.28     1.32     1.32

Net expenses

    1.13     1.13     1.13     1.18     1.19

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.08 )%      (0.20 )%      0.06     (0.23 )%      (0.19 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    26     35     57     46     47

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $481,207        $467,205        $406,405        $358,017        $336,128   

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


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24   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Notes to financial statements

1. ORGANIZATION

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

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time).

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

Equity securities that are not listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market, but have a public trading market, are valued at the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer that the Management Valuation Team of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”) has determined is an acceptable source.

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

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

Valuations of fair valued securities are compared to the next actual sales price when available, or other appropriate market values, to assess the continued appropriateness of the fair valuation methodologies used. These securities are fair valued on a day-to-day basis, taking into consideration changes to appropriate market information and any significant changes to the inputs considered in the valuation process until there is a readily available price provided on an exchange or by an independent pricing service. Valuations received from an independent pricing service or independent broker-dealer quotes are periodically validated by comparisons to most recent trades and valuations provided by other independent pricing services in addition to the review of prices by the manager and/or subadviser. Unobservable inputs used in determining fair valuations are identified based on the type of security, taking into consideration factors utilized by market participants in valuing the investment, knowledge about the issuer and the current market environment.

Security loans

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Fund continues to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The Fund receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund will be affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     25   

may experience delays or costs in doing so. In addition, the investment of any cash collateral received may lose all or part of its value. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). The Securities Lending Fund is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act and is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”). Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser. The Securities Lending Fund seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments. Securities Lending Fund investments are fair valued based upon the amortized cost valuation technique. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund is included in securities lending income on the Statement of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

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

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

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Such distributions are determined in conformity with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Federal and other taxes

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

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

Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under federal income tax regulations. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. At July 31, 2015, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Undistributed net
investment income
   Accumulated net
realized gains
on investments
$(35,065)    $35,065

Class allocations

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

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the


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26   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Notes to financial statements

lowest priority to significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

n   Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

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

 

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

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of July 31, 2015:

 

     Quoted prices
(Level 1)
    

Other significant
observable inputs

(Level 2)

     Significant
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Consumer discretionary

   $ 456,023,278       $ 0       $ 0       $ 456,023,278   

Consumer staples

     80,581,050         0         0         80,581,050   

Energy

     26,632,660         0         0         26,632,660   

Financials

     58,507,750         0         0         58,507,750   

Health care

     291,814,976         0         0         291,814,976   

Industrials

     159,539,807         0         0         159,539,807   

Information technology

     482,258,358         0         0         482,258,358   

Materials

     56,473,046         0         0         56,473,046   

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     13,762,760         9,072,800         0         22,835,560   

Total assets

   $ 1,625,593,685       $ 9,072,800       $ 0       $ 1,634,666,485   

The Fund recognizes transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period. At July 31, 2015, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the applicable subadviser, providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations, and providing any other fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual management fee starting at 0.70% and declining to 0.505% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. For the period from December 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, Funds Management was entitled to receive an annual fee which started at 0.65% and declined to 0.475% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. From August 1, 2014 through November 30, 2014, Funds Management received an annual advisory fee which started at 0.65% and declined to 0.55% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. In addition, prior to July 1, 2015, fund-level administrative services were provided by Funds Management under a separate administration agreement at an annual fee which started at 0.05% and declined to 0.03% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.67% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For financial statement purposes, advisory fees and fund-level administration fees for the year ended July 31, 2015 have been included in management fee on the Statement of Operations.


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     27   

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. WellsCap, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.30% and declining to 0.20% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Administration fees

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

 

     Class-level administration fee  
     Current rate        Rate prior to
July 1, 2015
 

Class A, Class C, Class R

     0.21        0.26

Class R4

     0.08           0.08   

Class R6

     0.03           0.03   

Administrator Class

     0.13           0.10   

Institutional Class

     0.13           0.08   

Investor Class

     0.32           0.32   

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. Waiver of fees and/or reimbursement of expenses by Funds Management were made first from fund level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. Funds Management has committed through November 30, 2015 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.07% for Class A shares, 1.82% for Class C shares, 1.32% for Class R shares, 0.75% for Class R4 shares, 0.60% for Class R6 shares, 0.95% for Administrator Class shares, 0.65% for Institutional Class shares, and 1.13% for Investor Class shares. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fees

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class C and Class R shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Distribution fees are charged to Class C and Class R shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares and 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class R shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended July 31, 2015, Funds Distributor received $6,370 from the sale of Class A shares and $381 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares, respectively.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, Class R, Administrator Class, and Investor Class of the Fund is charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. Class R4 shares are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.10% of its average daily net assets.

A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended July 31, 2015 were $415,226,434 and $546,974,580, respectively.


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28   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Notes to financial statements

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds and certain other funds in the Trust) and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $150,000,000 revolving credit agreement, whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.10% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the Fund paid $2,351 in commitment fees.

For the year ended July 31, 2015, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended July 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Year ended July 31  
     2015      2014  

Ordinary income

   $ 6,459,928       $ 5,294,410   

Long-term capital gain

     63,526,659         43,804,497   

As of July 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
ordinary
income
   Undistributed
long-term
gain
   Unrealized
gains
$1,060,676    $70,222,087    $596,085,968

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.


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Report of independent registered public accounting firm   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     29   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”), one of the funds constituting the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, as of July 31, 2015, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of July 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund as of July 31, 2015, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

September 23, 2015


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30   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 100% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $63,526,659 was designated as long-term capital gain distributions for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $6,459,928 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015, $6,061,767 has been designated as short-term capital gain dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

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

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The complete portfolio holdings for the Fund are publicly available monthly on the Fund’s website (wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com), on a one-month delayed basis. In addition, top ten holdings information (excluding derivative positions) for the Fund is publicly available on the Fund’s website on a monthly, seven-day or more delayed basis. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which is available by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and at regional offices in New York City, at 233 Broadway, and in Chicago, at 175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     31   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds, which consists of 133 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Other

directorships during
past five years

William R. Ebsworth (Born 1957)   Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director at Fidelity Management and Research Company and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Mr. Ebsworth is an Adjunct Lecturer, Finance, at Babson College and a Chartered Financial Analyst.   Asset Allocation Trust
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is a Chartered Financial Analyst (inactive), Chair of Taproot Foundation (non-profit organization) and a Board Member of Ruth Bancroft Garden (non-profit organization).   Asset Allocation Trust
Peter G. Gordon (Born 1942)   Trustee, since 1998; Chairman, since 2005   Co-Founder, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser Water Company. Trustee Emeritus, Colby College.   Asset Allocation Trust
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee, since 2009   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy. Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant.   CIGNA Corporation; Asset Allocation Trust
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)  

Trustee, since 2008;

Audit Committee Chairman, since 2008

  Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   Asset Allocation Trust
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Morgan Stanley Director of the Center for Leadership Development and Research and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   Asset Allocation Trust


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32   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Other

directorships during
past five years

Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   Asset Allocation Trust
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007 and Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   Asset Allocation Trust
Michael S. Scofield (Born 1943)   Trustee, since 2010   Served on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 2008-2011 as well the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council from 2006-2011 and the Independent Directors Council Executive Committee from 2008-2011. Chairman of the IDC from 2008-2010. Institutional Investor (Fund Directions) Trustee of Year in 2007. Trustee of the Evergreen Funds complex (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010. Chairman of the Evergreen Funds from 2000-2010. Former Trustee of the Mentor Funds. Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.   Asset Allocation Trust
Donald C. Willeke (Born 1940)   Trustee, since 1996   Principal of the law firm of Willeke & Daniels. General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1984 until its consolidation into the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010. Director and Vice Chair of The Tree Trust (non-profit corporation). Director of the American Chestnut Foundation (non-profit corporation).   Asset Allocation Trust

 

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

 

** William R. Ebsworth and Jane A. Freeman each became a Trustee effective January 1, 2015.

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

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

Karla M. Rabusch

(Born 1959)

  President, since 2003   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2003.    

Jeremy DePalma1

(Born 1974)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2007. Head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.    
C. David Messman
(Born 1960)
  Secretary, since 2000; Chief Legal Officer, since 2003   Senior Vice President and Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2001. Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2013 and Vice President and Managing Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank N.A. from 1996 to 2013.    

Debra Ann Early

(Born 1964)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2007   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2007 and Chief Compliance Officer from 2007 to 2014. Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2005 to 2007. Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2004 to 2007 and Senior Audit Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1998 to 2004.    

David Berardi

(Born 1975)

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

 

 

1 Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 61 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 72 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

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


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     33   

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

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at an in-person meeting held on May 19-20, 2015 (the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); (ii) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Funds Management; and (iii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Fund’s Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) applicable to Fund-level administrative services. The Advisory Agreement, the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at an in-person meeting in March 2015, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2015. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Funds Management, and the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board noted that the services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement combined the advisory services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Fund-level administrative services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Administration Agreement. The Board received a representation from Funds Management that combining these services would not result in any change to the nature or level of services provided by Funds Management to the Fund.

The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance


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34   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund performance and expenses

The Board considered the performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended March 31, 2015. The Board considered these results in comparison to the performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Lipper is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board noted that the performance of the Fund (Investor Class) was higher than or in range of the average performance of the Universe for all periods under review except the one- and three-year periods. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index, for the one-, three- and five-year periods, and in range of its benchmark for the first quarter of 2015 and the ten-year period.

The Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Fund relative to the Universe and benchmark for the periods noted above. The Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance in these periods, including with respect to market factors that affected the Fund’s performance and of longer term outperformance and of recent improved performance.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees (which reflect fee waivers, if any, and include advisory, administration and transfer agent fees), custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Lipper to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Lipper reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups. The Board discussed and accepted Funds Management’s proposal to convert the Investor Class shares into Class A shares. The Board also discussed with Funds Management proposed net operating expense ratio cap increases for R4 Class, R6 Class, Institutional Class, and Administrator Class. After further discussions, the Board accepted operating expense ratio cap increases for R4 Class, R6 Class and Institutional Class that were lower than those initially proposed to the Board. In accepting such proposed new net operating expense ratio caps, the Board noted that the Fund’s new net operating expense ratios would still be lower than or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups. The Board and Funds Management agreed not to increase the net operating expense ratio cap on the Administrator Class.

The Board took into account the Fund performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement and approve the Management Agreement.

Investment advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rates that are payable by the Fund to Funds Management for investment advisory services (the “Advisory Agreement Rates”), both on a stand-alone basis and on a combined basis with the Fund’s fund-level and class-level contractual administration fee rates (the “Management Rates”). The Board noted that the Management Rates include transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs. The Board also noted that the fee rate to be paid by the Fund under the Management Agreement will incorporate the advisory fee and Fund-level administration fee previously payable separately by the Fund under the Fund’s Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement with Funds Management. The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rates”).

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Management Rates of the Fund with those of other funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were lower than or in range of the average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes except for the Investor Class. The Board discussed and accepted Funds Management’s proposal to convert the Investor Class shares into Class A shares.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total advisory fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     35   

responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. However, given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of the advisory fee between them.

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

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable, in light of the services covered by the Advisory Agreements.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of Wells Fargo as a whole, from providing services to the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board also received and considered information concerning the profitability of the Sub-Adviser from providing services to the fund family as a whole, noting that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund was subsumed in the Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

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

Economies of scale

With respect to possible economies of scale, the Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory and management fee structures, and the Fund’s administration fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size. It considered that, for a small fund or a fund that shrinks in size, breakpoints conversely can result in higher fee levels. The Board also considered that fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements and competitive fee rates at the outset are means of sharing potential economies of scale with shareholders of the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board considered Funds Management’s view that any analyses of potential economies of scale in managing a particular fund are inherently limited in light of the joint and common costs and investments that Funds Management incurs across the fund family as a whole.

The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee and expense arrangements, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

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

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

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


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36   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.


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List of abbreviations   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Cap Growth Fund     37   

The following is a list of common abbreviations for terms and entities that may have appeared in this report.

 

ACA —  ACA Financial Guaranty Corporation
ADR —  American depositary receipt
ADS —  American depositary shares
AGC —  Assured Guaranty Corporation
AGM —  Assured Guaranty Municipal
Ambac —  Ambac Financial Group Incorporated
AMT —  Alternative minimum tax
AUD —  Australian dollar
BAN —  Bond anticipation notes
BHAC —  Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation
BRL —  Brazilian real
CAB —  Capital appreciation bond
CAD —  Canadian dollar
CCAB —  Convertible capital appreciation bond
CDA —  Community Development Authority
CDO —  Collateralized debt obligation
CHF —  Swiss franc
COP —  Colombian peso
CLP —  Chilean peso
DKK —  Danish krone
DRIVER —  Derivative inverse tax-exempt receipts
DW&P —  Department of Water & Power
DWR —  Department of Water Resources
ECFA —  Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority
EDA —  Economic Development Authority
EDFA —  Economic Development Finance Authority
ETF —  Exchange-traded fund
EUR —  Euro
FDIC —  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FFCB —  Federal Farm Credit Banks
FGIC —  Financial Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FHA —  Federal Housing Administration
FHLB —  Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC —  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FICO —  The Financing Corporation
FNMA —  Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA —  Farm Service Agency
GBP —  Great British pound
GDR —  Global depositary receipt
GNMA —  Government National Mortgage Association
GO —  General obligation
HCFR —  Healthcare facilities revenue
HEFA —  Health & Educational Facilities Authority
HEFAR —  Higher education facilities authority revenue
HFA —  Housing Finance Authority
HFFA —  Health Facilities Financing Authority
HKD —  Hong Kong dollar
HUD —  Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUF —  Hungarian forint
IDA —  Industrial Development Authority
IDAG —  Industrial Development Agency
IDR —  Indonesian rupiah
IEP —  Irish pound
JPY —  Japanese yen
KRW —  Republic of Korea won
LIBOR —  London Interbank Offered Rate
LIFER —  Long Inverse Floating Exempt Receipts
LIQ —  Liquidity agreement
LLC —  Limited liability company
LLLP —  Limited liability limited partnership
LLP —  Limited liability partnership
LOC —  Letter of credit
LP —  Limited partnership
MBIA —  Municipal Bond Insurance Association
MFHR —  Multifamily housing revenue
MSTR —  Municipal securities trust receipts
MTN —  Medium-term note
MUD —  Municipal Utility District
MXN —  Mexican peso
MYR —  Malaysian ringgit
National —  National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation
NGN —  Nigerian naira
NOK —  Norwegian krone
NZD —  New Zealand dollar
PCFA —  Pollution Control Financing Authority
PCL —  Public Company Limited
PCR —  Pollution control revenue
PFA —  Public Finance Authority
PFFA —  Public Facilities Financing Authority
PFOTER —  Puttable floating option tax-exempt receipts
plc —  Public limited company
PLN —  Polish zloty
PUTTER —  Puttable tax-exempt receipts
R&D —  Research & development
Radian —  Radian Asset Assurance
RAN —  Revenue anticipation notes
RDA —  Redevelopment Authority
RDFA —  Redevelopment Finance Authority
REIT —  Real estate investment trust
ROC —  Reset option certificates
RON —  Romanian lei
RUB —  Russian ruble
SAVRS —  Select auction variable rate securities
SBA —  Small Business Authority
SDR —  Swedish depositary receipt
SEK —  Swedish krona
SFHR —  Single-family housing revenue
SFMR —  Single-family mortgage revenue
SGD —  Singapore dollar
SPA —  Standby purchase agreement
SPDR —  Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts
SPEAR —   Short Puttable Exempt Adjustable Receipts
STRIPS —  Separate trading of registered interest and
           principal securities
TAN —  Tax anticipation notes
TBA —  To be announced
THB —  Thai baht
TIPS —  Treasury inflation-protected securities
TRAN —  Tax revenue anticipation notes
TRY —  Turkish lira
TTFA —  Transportation Trust Fund Authority
TVA —  Tennessee Valley Authority
ZAR —  South African rand
 


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LOGO

 

 

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For more information

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

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

P.O. Box 8266

Boston, MA 02266-8266

Email: wfaf@wellsfargo.com

Website: wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

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

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, provides investment advisory and administrative services for Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. Other affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company provide subadvisory and other services for the Funds. The Funds are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE

© 2015 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

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236197 09-15

A209/AR209 07-15


Table of Contents

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Wells Fargo Advantage

Large Company Value Fund

 

LOGO

 

Annual Report

July 31, 2015

 

 

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Table of Contents

Reduce clutter. Save trees.

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

Contents

 

 

 

Letter to shareholders

    2   

Performance highlights

    4   

Fund expenses

    8   

Portfolio of investments

    9   
Financial statements  

Statement of assets and liabilities

    14   

Statement of operations

    15   

Statement of changes in net assets

    16   

Financial highlights

    17   

Notes to financial statements

    22   

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

    27   

Other information

    28   

List of abbreviations

    34   

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of July 31, 2015, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements; the views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE



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2   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period

 

 

Dear Valued Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015. Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period (as measured by the S&P 500 Index1). In contrast, many economies and markets elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges.

Positive U.S. economic data but increased tensions abroad led to heightened market volatility in the last five months of 2014.

Following a negative monthly return for July 2014, the S&P 500 Index bounced back in August on a string of positive economic news, led by a 4.2% revised second-quarter 2014 gross domestic product (GDP) reading. The S&P 500 Index gave back some of its August gains in September, however; stock market volatility increased as positive economic data became overshadowed at times by growing discomfort over escalating tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East and slowing growth in Europe and China. Ultimately, U.S. stocks ended the third quarter up slightly overall, buoyed largely by strong corporate earnings and another upward revision of second-quarter GDP growth (to 4.6%).

The fourth quarter of 2014 brought continued improvement in the U.S.; international economies remained challenged. Strong fourth-quarter results by U.S. stocks helped the S&P 500 Index deliver more than 50 record closes in 2014. The last several, in December, were spurred by investor optimism following U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Janet Yellen’s comment that the Fed would be patient in its timing of an interest-rate increase. U.S. stocks also were boosted by positive economic data; November’s 5.8% unemployment rate was down from 7.0% a year earlier, and the number of jobs being added continued to expand. In addition, the U.S. economy’s third-quarter growth rate was revised upward to 5.0% during the quarter, and U.S. companies continued to report strong earnings. The steadily brightening U.S. economy energized consumers, who were further buoyed by much lower prices at the gasoline pump. As the U.S. chugged forward, though, major economies elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges. While Japan eased out of a two-quarter contraction, growth in China continued to slow and Russia’s economy contracted for the first time since 2009. In the eurozone, growth remained sluggish; this situation was exacerbated in December by renewed concerns about Greece after its parliament failed to avert a general election that could jeopardize the country’s financial agreements with its creditors.

In the first quarter of 2015, U.S. large caps delivered positive results but underperformed small- and mid-cap stocks; major markets elsewhere rallied.

U.S. large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks tended to move similarly during the quarter until early March, when results began to diverge by market capitalization. Larger caps slipped that month as investor concern grew over the strengthening U.S. dollar’s potentially negative effect on the profits of large U.S. multinational firms; however, stocks of small and midsize companies, which tend to be less affected by movements in the dollar, performed better. Positive stock results were supported by a gradually improving U.S. economy. The labor market continued to grow, along with personal income and consumer confidence. For U.S. businesses, the quarter’s data were mixed; while many companies reported strong earnings, other data indicated potential weakening in manufacturing. Elsewhere in the world, major markets enjoyed positive returns spurred by accommodative monetary policies from major central banks and signs of improvement in some struggling economies.

 

 

 

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


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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     3   

U.S. large caps experienced challenges during the second quarter of 2015.

The S&P 500 Index fluctuated widely during this quarter, eventually eking out a 0.28% gain for the period. Larger-cap stocks at times were pressured by ongoing investor concerns over the potentially negative effects of financially troubled overseas economies and the strengthening U.S. dollar. The U.S. economy picked up traction during the quarter; consumer spending improved, and positive trends were evident in construction and new-home sales. Jobs growth remained a bright spot as well. Fed officials, who have kept interest rates low while waiting for the U.S. jobs market to sufficiently improve and for inflation to approach their 2% target, made clear that they could take action soon. Throughout the quarter, markets outside the U.S. continued to experience volatility, triggered by uncertainty over the potential impact of financial challenges in other locations—most notably in Greece and Puerto Rico. Questions over slower growth in China caused investor concern as well.

July 2015 brought a bounce-back for U.S. large caps.

U.S. large-cap stocks delivered 2.10% for the month (as measured by the S&P 500 Index). The boost was supported by encouraging U.S. economic data, including positive earnings reports from a range of U.S. companies, increased retail spending by U.S. consumers, and further improvement in the jobs market.

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

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

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

Notice to shareholders

At a meeting held on August 11–12, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change in the name of the Fund whereby the word “Advantage” will be removed from its name, effective December 15, 2015.

 

For current information about your fund investments, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


Table of Contents

 

4   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Phocas Financial Corporation

Portfolio managers

Stephen L. Block, CFA

William F.K. Schaff, CFA

Average annual total returns1 (%) as of July 31, 2015

 

        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
Class A (WLCAX)   3-31-2008     (0.38     11.67        5.47        5.72        13.00        6.10        1.23        1.10   
Class C (WFLVX)   3-31-2008     3.92        12.14        5.35        4.92        12.14        5.35        1.98        1.85   
Administrator Class (WWIDX)   12-31-2001                          5.95        13.29        6.43        1.15        0.85   
Institutional Class (WLCIX)   3-31-2008                          6.14        13.53        6.59        0.90        0.65   
Investor Class (SDVIX)   7-1-1993                          5.60        12.92        6.04        1.34        1.16   
Russell 1000® Value Index4                            6.40        15.08        6.79                 

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

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

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

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     5   
Growth of $10,000 investment5 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

 

 

 

1  Historical performance shown for Class A shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Investor Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to Investor Class shares (except during those periods in which the expenses of Class A shares would have been higher than those of Investor Class shares). If these expenses had not been included, returns would be higher. Historical performance shown for Class C shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Investor Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to Class C shares. Historical performance shown for Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Investor Class shares and includes the higher expenses applicable to Investor Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns would be higher.

 

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

 

3  The manager has contractually committed through November 30, 2015, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at the amounts shown. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the cap. Without this cap, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.

 

4  The Russell 1000® Value Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5  The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Russell 1000 Value Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

6  The ten largest holdings, excluding cash and cash equivalents, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

7  Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

* This security was not held in the Fund at the end of the reporting period.


Table of Contents

 

6   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

n   The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index, for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015.

 

n   The Fund’s underperformance was primarily due to weak relative performance in the energy and industrials sectors, which were negatively affected by declines and volatility in the prices of oil and natural gas during the period. The Fund experienced underperformance in the energy sector from companies that are sensitive to oil and gas drilling, such as Marathon Oil Corporation and Noble Energy Incorporated. The Fund had oil and gas exposure in the industrials sector as well, and stocks such as Oshkosh Corporation*, Wesco International Incorporated*, and Dover Corporation* underperformed. A moderate allocation to cash also dampened performance.

 

n   Holdings in the information technology, health care, and consumer staples sectors aided relative returns. Strong performers included Skyworks Solutions Incorporated; Apple Incorporated; Cigna Corporation; CVS Health Corporation; HCA Holdings Incorporated; and AbbVie Incorporated.

Stock selection was the primary contributor to the Fund’s underperformance

In our opinion, attempting to pick the best-performing sectors is an inconsistent and unrewarding approach to investing. We do not attempt to overweight or underweight economic sectors relative to the benchmark. Instead, we focus on owning securities across all sectors that we believe are fundamentally undervalued. The Fund’s performance is generally driven by stock selection rather than sector allocation, and this reporting period was no exception.

Marathon Oil’s stock disappointed investors over the past year. Oil and gas prices fell precipitously, making profits harder to come by. While Marathon has a substantial amount of oil and gas in its fields, it has scaled back production in some areas because, at current market prices, it is cost prohibitive to bring these commodities up to the surface. We continue to hold Marathon in the belief that it is in a good position to benefit from future commodity price increases. Oshkosh manufactures aerial equipment, all-terrain vehicles used by the military, cement trucks, and garbage trucks. We entered into the position in the belief that the military business was bottoming and the aerial equipment business was improving with the rise in commercial construction. However, weak construction from the oil and gas companies has depressed demand for aerial equipment, thus pressuring the stock as of late.

CVS was a strong performer this year as the Affordable Care Act gave individuals more access to health care. CVS saw a strong upswing in demand for pharmaceuticals, which also allowed it to improve profit margins by leveraging a fixed cost base. We continue to hold CVS based on the belief that the company will continue to benefit from Americans’ greater access to health care. Skyworks was a strong performer again this year. The company provides semiconductors that are found in smartphones, vehicles, medical equipment, and a variety of other devices that are now being connected to the internet. Apple’s products have been a significant driver of Skyworks’ strong growth, but it also saw significant new business from many of its other customers as well. We believe the demand for Skyworks’ semiconductors should continue into the foreseeable future.

 

Ten largest holdings6 (%) as of July 31, 2015  

JPMorgan Chase & Company

     3.10   

CVS Health Corporation

     3.04   

American International Group Incorporated

     2.95   

Pfizer Incorporated

     2.73   

Ameriprise Financial Incorporated

     2.54   

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Incorporated

     2.14   

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited

     2.14   

Exxon Mobil Corporation

     2.12   

First Republic Bank

     2.07   

KeyCorp

     1.99   

We continue to find attractive opportunities.

The global economy has stagnated. The U.S. and Europe are growing slowly. In Asia, led by China, growth is slowing. Recently, we have found a number of companies that we believe will benefit in many types of economies. We funded these purchases with the sales of securities that have risen in value relative to their peers or that have displayed deteriorating business fundamentals, which, in our view, may have prompted overreactions among investors, causing them to sell shares and put pressure on the stocks’ prices.

At times, investors will overestimate risks in a company and these stocks can sell at unreasonably low levels. We added Herbalife Limited, BOK Financial Corporation, and

 

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     7   

Vereit Incorporated. In our view, each of these stocks ought to rise as investors discover the companies’ fundamental strengths despite the risks. We added many companies to the portfolio this year that have good business prospects and relatively low stock prices, in our opinion. Examples of this group include Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited; Ameriprise Financial Incorporated; NXP Semiconductors N.V.; HCA Holdings Incorporated; PerkinElmer Incorporated*; and Ford Motor Company.

 

Sector distribution7 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

We remain committed to our investment strategy and process.

Over the next 6 to 12 months, we expect more slow growth around the globe. Stocks in many sectors are fairly valued to slightly overvalued, and if interest rates rise significantly, then there is likely to be a shock to the markets. While we don’t believe macroeconomic trends will be negative, it is certainly possible, and perhaps even likely, that oil prices will remain low and negatively affect the business of many companies across several economic sectors. The potential for rising interest rates would be good for banks and insurance companies, but it would be bad news for companies looking to borrow as they refinance or renew their current outstanding loan obligations. Our strategy remains to find the businesses that ought to perform well in many kinds of economies and whose stocks trade at discounts to their peers’ stocks. We believe the stocks in the Fund currently represent this strategy.

 

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

8   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Fund expenses (unaudited)

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

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from February 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

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

 

     Beginning
account value
2-1-2015
     Ending
account value
7-31-2015
     Expenses
paid during
the period1
     Net annualized
expense ratio
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,056.72       $ 5.61         1.10

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,019.34       $ 5.51         1.10

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,051.93       $ 9.41         1.85

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,015.62       $ 9.25         1.85

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,057.54       $ 4.34         0.85

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,020.58       $ 4.26         0.85

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,058.63       $ 3.32         0.65

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,021.57       $ 3.26         0.65

Investor Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,055.41       $ 5.91         1.16

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,019.04       $ 5.81         1.16

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     9   

    

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  

Common Stocks: 97.44%

          

Consumer Discretionary: 8.61%

          
Auto Components: 0.70%           

BorgWarner Incorporated

          39,966       $ 1,986,710   
          

 

 

 
Automobiles: 0.93%           

Ford Motor Company

          177,977         2,639,399   
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 2.14%           

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited †

          96,951         6,051,681   
          

 

 

 
Household Durables: 1.05%           

Newell Rubbermaid Incorporated

          68,172         2,950,484   
          

 

 

 
Leisure Products: 0.89%           

Mattel Incorporated

          108,791         2,525,039   
          

 

 

 
Media: 1.97%           

Tegna Incorporated

          76,639         2,232,494   

The Walt Disney Company

          15,438         1,852,560   

Viacom Incorporated Class B

          26,071         1,486,047   
             5,571,101   
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 0.93%           

PVH Corporation

          22,521         2,613,337   
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 6.92%

          
Food & Staples Retailing: 3.67%           

CVS Health Corporation

          76,305         8,582,023   

Rite Aid Corporation †

          202,319         1,802,662   
             10,384,685   
          

 

 

 
Food Products: 0.96%           

TreeHouse Foods Incorporated †

          33,061         2,709,680   
          

 

 

 
Household Products: 1.16%           

The Procter & Gamble Company

          42,610         3,268,187   
          

 

 

 
Personal Products: 1.13%           

Herbalife Limited Ǡ

          63,572         3,209,750   
          

 

 

 

Energy: 10.69%

          
Energy Equipment & Services: 1.57%           

Baker Hughes Incorporated

          76,403         4,442,834   
          

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 9.12%           

Chevron Corporation

          30,738         2,719,698   

ConocoPhillips

          66,457         3,345,445   

Exxon Mobil Corporation

          75,560         5,985,108   

Marathon Oil Corporation

          199,174         4,184,646   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

10   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

    

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (continued)           

Noble Energy Incorporated

          101,717       $ 3,583,490   

Valero Energy Corporation

          64,165         4,209,224   

Whiting Petroleum Corporation †

          84,592         1,733,290   
             25,760,901   
          

 

 

 

Financials: 31.41%

          
Banks: 13.16%           

Bank of America Corporation

          222,274         3,974,259   

BOK Financial Corporation

          84,152         5,592,742   

Citigroup Incorporated

          71,997         4,208,945   

First Republic Bank

          91,630         5,845,078   

JPMorgan Chase & Company

          127,937         8,767,523   

KeyCorp

          379,933         5,638,206   

SunTrust Banks Incorporated

          71,580         3,173,857   
             37,200,610   
          

 

 

 
Capital Markets: 3.71%           

Ameriprise Financial Incorporated

          57,069         7,171,857   

Goldman Sachs Group Incorporated

          16,216         3,325,415   
             10,497,272   
          

 

 

 
Insurance: 8.43%           

ACE Limited

          24,676         2,684,009   

American International Group Incorporated

          130,137         8,344,384   

Endurance Specialty Holdings Limited

          60,793         4,224,506   

MetLife Incorporated

          93,344         5,202,995   

The Hartford Financial Services Group Incorporated

          70,703         3,361,928   
             23,817,822   
          

 

 

 
REITs: 6.11%           

Alexandria Real Estate Equities Incorporated

          65,356         6,059,155   

Equity Residential

          57,801         4,324,093   

LaSalle Hotel Properties

          117,060         3,894,586   

VEREIT Incorporated

          342,192         2,997,602   
             17,275,436   
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 13.45%

          
Biotechnology: 2.05%           

Baxalta Incorporated †

          89,325         2,932,540   

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

          24,253         2,858,459   
             5,790,999   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 1.90%           

Baxter International Incorporated

          43,207         1,731,737   

Medtronic plc

          46,302         3,629,614   
             5,361,351   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     11   

    

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Health Care Providers & Services: 2.03%           

Cigna Corporation

          19,358       $ 2,788,713   

HCA Holdings Incorporated †

          31,885         2,965,624   
             5,754,337   
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 7.47%           

AbbVie Incorporated

          49,254         3,448,273   

Allergan plc †

          11,768         3,896,973   

Johnson & Johnson

          26,591         2,664,684   

Merck & Company Incorporated

          57,643         3,398,631   

Pfizer Incorporated

          213,920         7,713,955   
             21,122,516   
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 8.79%

        
Aerospace & Defense: 1.62%         

Raytheon Company

          41,839         4,564,217   
          

 

 

 
Airlines: 0.43%         

United Continental Holdings Incorporated †

          21,771         1,227,667   
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 1.19%         

West Corporation

          116,842         3,370,892   
          

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 0.89%         

Eaton Corporation plc

          41,313         2,502,742   
          

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates: 1.39%         

General Electric Company

          150,357         3,924,318   
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 1.70%         

Crane Company

          31,876         1,695,803   

Stanley Black & Decker Incorporated

          29,568         3,119,128   
             4,814,931   
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 1.57%         

AMERCO

          5,021         1,804,397   

Con-way Incorporated

          68,058         2,639,970   
             4,444,367   
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 9.16%

        
Communications Equipment: 0.99%         

Cisco Systems Incorporated

          98,068         2,787,093   
          

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 1.82%         

Synnex Corporation

          48,695         3,682,803   

TE Connectivity Limited

          23,850         1,452,942   
             5,135,745   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

12   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

    

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Internet Software & Services: 1.71%         

Google Incorporated Class C †

          5,237       $ 3,276,320   

Yahoo! Incorporated †

          42,821         1,570,246   
             4,846,566   
          

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 2.31%         

NXP Semiconductors NV †

          43,020         4,172,510   

Skyworks Solutions Incorporated

          24,712         2,364,197   
             6,536,707   
          

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 2.33%         

Apple Incorporated

          24,548         2,977,672   

NCR Corporation †

          88,376         2,433,875   

Seagate Technology plc «

          23,241         1,175,995   
             6,587,542   
          

 

 

 

Materials: 2.17%

          
Chemicals: 0.52%           

Cabot Corporation

          41,539         1,461,342   
          

 

 

 
Containers & Packaging: 1.09%           

Crown Holdings Incorporated †

          59,598         3,069,893   
          

 

 

 
Paper & Forest Products: 0.56%           

International Paper Company

          33,169         1,587,800   
          

 

 

 

Telecommunication Services: 2.62%

          
Diversified Telecommunication Services: 2.62%           

AT&T Incorporated

          130,570         4,536,002   

Verizon Communications Incorporated

          61,519         2,878,474   
             7,414,476   
          

 

 

 

Utilities: 3.62%

          
Electric Utilities: 2.81%           

Duke Energy Corporation

          52,868         3,923,863   

The Southern Company

          90,025         4,026,818   
             7,950,681   
          

 

 

 
Gas Utilities: 0.81%           

Atmos Energy Corporation

          41,394         2,289,088   
          

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $221,504,197)

             275,450,198   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     13   

    

 

 

Security name   Yield          Shares      Value  

Short-Term Investments: 4.14%

         
Investment Companies: 4.14%          

Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (l)(r)(u)

    0.14        3,950,375       $ 3,950,375   

Wells Fargo Advantage Cash Investment Money Market Fund, Select Class (l)(u)

    0.13           7,739,468         7,739,468   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $11,689,843)

            11,689,843        
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $233,194,040) *     101.58        287,140,041   

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (1.58        (4,459,962
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 282,680,079   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

« All or a portion of this security is on loan.

 

(l) The security represents an affiliate of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

(r) The investment is a non-registered investment vehicle purchased with cash collateral received from securities on loan.

 

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

 

* Cost for federal income tax purposes is $236,149,915 and unrealized gains (losses) consists of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 65,413,503   

Gross unrealized losses

     (14,423,377
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains

   $ 50,990,126   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

14   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Statement of assets and liabilities—July 31, 2015
         

Assets

 

Investments

 

In unaffiliated securities (including $3,814,415 of securities loaned), at value (cost $221,504,197)

  $ 275,450,198   

In affiliated securities, at value (cost $11,689,843)

    11,689,843   
 

 

 

 

Total investments, at value (cost $233,194,040)

    287,140,041   

Receivable for investments sold

    4,729,047   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    25,851   

Receivable for dividends

    402,966   

Receivable for securities lending income

    7,251   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    49,320   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    292,354,476   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    5,207,695   

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    180,146   

Payable upon receipt of securities loaned

    3,950,375   

Management fee payable

    136,700   

Distribution fee payable

    3,158   

Administration fees payable

    66,227   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    130,096   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    9,674,397   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 282,680,079   
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 216,827,744   

Undistributed net investment income

    101,225   

Accumulated net realized gains on investments

    11,805,109   

Net unrealized gains on investments

    53,946,001   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 282,680,079   
 

 

 

 

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 104,453,275   

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    6,488,794   

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $16.10   

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $17.08   

Net assets – Class C

  $ 4,487,867   

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    273,473   

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $16.41   

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 30,177,366   

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    1,862,851   

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $16.20   

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 1,483,112   

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    91,693   

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $16.17   

Net assets – Investor Class

  $ 142,078,459   

Shares outstanding – Investor Class1

    8,576,814   

Net asset value per share – Investor Class

    $16.57   

 

 

1  The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Statement of operations—year ended July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     15   
         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $14,301)

  $ 5,521,371   

Securities lending income, net

    42,352   

Income from affiliated securities

    6,494   
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    5,570,217   
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    2,093,365   

Administration fees

 

Class A

    285,915   

Class C

    11,881   

Administrator Class

    35,108   

Institutional Class

    1,240   

Investor Class

    469,995   

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    279,508   

Class C

    11,622   

Administrator Class

    85,393   

Investor Class

    366,465   

Distribution fee

 

Class C

    34,867   

Custody and accounting fees

    21,802   

Professional fees

    45,475   

Registration fees

    56,651   

Shareholder report expenses

    52,284   

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,733   

Other fees and expenses

    10,057   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    3,873,361   

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (553,047
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    3,320,314   
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    2,249,903   
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS

 

Net realized gains on investments

    31,510,363   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    (16,922,395
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    14,587,968   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 16,837,871   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

16   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Statement of changes in net assets
     Year ended
July 31, 2015
    Year ended
July 31, 2014
 

Operations

       

Net investment income

    $ 2,249,903        $ 1,848,473   

Net realized gains on investments

      31,510,363          39,715,628   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      (16,922,395       (2,444,555
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      16,837,871          39,119,546   
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from

       

Net investment income

       

Class A

      (879,902       (625,503

Class C

      (2,940       (2,997

Administrator Class

      (376,690       (269,425

Institutional Class

      (21,092       (12,375

Investor Class

      (1,017,744       (668,519

Net realized gains

       

Class A

      (9,704,404       (11,065,973

Class C

      (389,854       (448,468

Administrator Class

      (3,048,826       (3,552,432

Institutional Class

      (160,301       (122,590

Investor Class

      (12,477,097       (13,095,944
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (28,078,850       (29,864,226
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares          Shares     

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    123,205        2,013,071        206,529        3,419,892   

Class C

    38,787        642,242        34,216        581,634   

Administrator Class

    119,049        1,984,735        224,328        3,712,144   

Institutional Class

    70,995        1,223,711        8,867        147,541   

Investor Class

    320,863        5,443,693        416,128        7,103,375   
 

 

 

 
      11,307,452          14,964,586   
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    651,156        10,256,986        712,472        11,432,349   

Class C

    21,352        341,919        24,127        394,545   

Administrator Class

    197,644        3,137,103        209,544        3,383,843   

Institutional Class

    6,036        95,717        7,706        124,367   

Investor Class

    800,321        12,965,138        797,069        13,123,493   
 

 

 

 
      26,796,863          28,458,597   
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (1,205,076     (20,028,888     (1,072,642     (17,848,323

Class C

    (58,702     (985,449     (58,373     (969,833

Administrator Class

    (580,514     (9,574,977     (662,954     (11,056,702

Institutional Class

    (36,394     (597,478     (166,124     (2,726,544

Investor Class

    (1,044,020     (17,642,122     (974,086     (16,531,264
 

 

 

 
      (48,828,914       (49,132,666
 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital share transactions

      (10,724,599       (5,709,483
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (21,965,578       3,545,837   
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      304,645,657          301,099,820   
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 282,680,079        $ 304,645,657   
 

 

 

 

Undistributed net investment income

    $ 101,225        $ 289,546   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     17   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS A   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $16.82        $16.39        $12.96        $12.61        $11.04   

Net investment income

    0.13 1      0.10        0.14        0.17        0.12   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.78        2.04        3.48        0.35        1.51   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.91        2.14        3.62        0.52        1.63   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.13     (0.09     (0.19     (0.17     (0.06

Net realized gains

    (1.50     (1.62     0.00        0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.63     (1.71     (0.19     (0.17     (0.06

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.10        $16.82        $16.39        $12.96        $12.61   

Total return2

    5.72     13.68     28.16     4.21     14.77

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.27     1.28     1.28     1.27     1.32

Net expenses

    1.10     1.10     1.10     1.10     1.25

Net investment income

    0.76     0.61     1.00     1.29     0.74

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    71     59     78     37     35

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $104,453        $116,398        $115,895        $103,195        $642   

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

18   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS C   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $17.12        $16.70        $13.21        $12.81        $11.26   

Net investment income (loss)

    0.00 1      (0.02     0.04        0.09        0.01   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.80        2.07        3.54        0.36        1.55   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.80        2.05        3.58        0.45        1.56   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.01     (0.01     (0.09     (0.05     (0.01

Net realized gains

    (1.50     (1.62     0.00        0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.51     (1.63     (0.09     (0.05     (0.01

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.41        $17.12        $16.70        $13.21        $12.81   

Total return2

    4.92     12.83     27.17     3.49     13.85

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    2.02     2.03     2.03     2.02     2.08

Net expenses

    1.85     1.85     1.85     1.85     2.00

Net investment income (loss)

    0.01     (0.14 )%      0.25     0.54     0.04

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    71     59     78     37     35

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $4,488        $4,659        $4,543        $4,022        $513   

 

 

 

1  Amount is less than $0.005.

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     19   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

    Year ended July 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $16.93        $16.47        $13.02        $12.68        $11.08   

Net investment income

    0.17        0.15        0.21        0.19 1      0.11   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.78        2.05        3.46        0.36        1.56   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.95        2.20        3.67        0.55        1.67   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.18     (0.12     (0.22     (0.21     (0.07

Net realized gains

    (1.50     (1.62     0.00        0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.68     (1.74     (0.22     (0.21     (0.07

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.20        $16.93        $16.47        $13.02        $12.68   

Total return

    5.95     13.94     28.52     4.47     15.12

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.12     1.12     1.10     1.11     1.17

Net expenses

    0.85     0.85     0.85     0.85     0.96

Net investment income

    1.01     0.86     1.28     1.54     1.93

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    71     59     78     37     35

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $30,177        $36,002        $38,798        $176,623        $667   

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


Table of Contents

 

20   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $16.91        $16.44        $13.00        $12.68        $11.08   

Net investment income

    0.20 1      0.18 1      0.26 1      0.22        0.14   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.78        2.05        3.45        0.35        1.54   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.98        2.23        3.71        0.57        1.68   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.22     (0.14     (0.27     (0.25     (0.08

Net realized gains

    (1.50     (1.62     0.00        0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.72     (1.76     (0.27     (0.25     (0.08

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.17        $16.91        $16.44        $13.00        $12.68   

Total return

    6.14     14.16     28.93     4.67     15.36

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.85     0.85     0.84     0.85     0.89

Net expenses

    0.65     0.65     0.65     0.66     0.75

Net investment income

    1.23     1.10     1.83     1.80     1.12

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    71     59     78     37     35

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $1,483        $863        $3,299        $15,924        $14,401   

 

 

 

1 Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     21   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INVESTOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $17.26        $16.77        $13.26        $12.89        $11.28   

Net investment income

    0.12        0.09        0.14        0.16        0.09   

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    0.81        2.10        3.55        0.36        1.57   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    0.93        2.19        3.69        0.52        1.66   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    (0.12     (0.08     (0.18     (0.15     (0.05

Net realized gains

    (1.50     (1.62     0.00        0.00        0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (1.62     (1.70     (0.18     (0.15     (0.05

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.57        $17.26        $16.77        $13.26        $12.89   

Total return

    5.60     13.60     28.12     4.09     14.75

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.34     1.34     1.34     1.34     1.40

Net expenses

    1.16     1.16     1.16     1.18     1.32

Net investment income

    0.70     0.55     0.94     1.27     0.74

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    71     59     78     37     35

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $142,078        $146,723        $138,565        $123,774        $110,554   

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

22   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Notes to financial statements

1. ORGANIZATION

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

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time).

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

Equity securities that are not listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market, but have a public trading market, are valued at the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer that the Management Valuation Team of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”) has determined is an acceptable source.

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

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

Valuations of fair valued securities are compared to the next actual sales price when available, or other appropriate market values, to assess the continued appropriateness of the fair valuation methodologies used. These securities are fair valued on a day-to-day basis, taking into consideration changes to appropriate market information and any significant changes to the inputs considered in the valuation process until there is a readily available price provided on an exchange or by an independent pricing service. Valuations received from an independent pricing service or independent broker-dealer quotes are periodically validated by comparisons to most recent trades and valuations provided by other independent pricing services in addition to the review of prices by the manager and/or subadviser. Unobservable inputs used in determining fair valuations are identified based on the type of security, taking into consideration factors utilized by market participants in valuing the investment, knowledge about the issuer and the current market environment.

Security loans

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Fund continues to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The Fund receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund will be affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or


Table of Contents

 

Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     23   

may experience delays or costs in doing so. In addition, the investment of any cash collateral received may lose all or part of its value. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). The Securities Lending Fund is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act and is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”). Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser. The Securities Lending Fund seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments. Securities Lending Fund investments are fair valued based upon the amortized cost valuation technique. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund is included in securities lending income on the Statement of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

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

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

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Such distributions are determined in conformity with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Federal and other taxes

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

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

Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under federal income tax regulations. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. The primary permanent difference causing such reclassifications is due to dividends from certain securities. At July 31, 2015, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Undistributed net
investment income
   Accumulated net
realized gains
on investments
$(139,856)    $139,856

As of July 31, 2015, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future net realized capital gains in the amount of $4,679,794 expiring in 2016.


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24   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Notes to financial statements

Class allocations

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

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

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

 

n   Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

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

 

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

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of July 31, 2015:

 

    

Quoted prices

(Level 1)

    

Other significant

observable inputs

(Level 2)

    

Significant

unobservable inputs

(Level 3)

     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Consumer discretionary

   $ 24,337,751       $ 0       $ 0       $ 24,337,751   

Consumer staples

     19,572,302         0         0         19,572,302   

Energy

     30,203,735         0         0         30,203,735   

Financials

     88,791,140         0         0         88,791,140   

Health care

     38,029,203         0         0         38,029,203   

Industrials

     24,849,134         0         0         24,849,134   

Information technology

     25,893,653         0         0         25,893,653   

Materials

     6,119,035         0         0         6,119,035   

Telecommunication services

     7,414,476         0         0         7,414,476   

Utilities

     10,239,769         0         0         10,239,769   

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     7,739,468         3,950,375         0         11,689,843   

Total assets

   $ 283,189,666       $ 3,950,375       $ 0       $ 287,140,041   

The Fund recognizes transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period. At July 31, 2015, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     25   

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER EXPENSES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the applicable subadviser, providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations, and providing any other fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual management fee starting at 0.70% and declining to 0.505% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. For the period from December 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, Funds Management was entitled to receive an annual fee which started at 0.65% and declined to 0.475% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. From August 1, 2014 through November 30, 2014, Funds Management received an annual advisory fee which started at 0.65% and declined to 0.55% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. In addition, prior to July 1, 2015, fund-level administrative services were provided by Funds Management under a separate administration agreement at an annual fee which started at 0.05% and declined to 0.03% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.70% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For financial statement purposes, advisory fees and fund-level administration fees for the year ended July 31, 2015 have been included in management fee on the Statement of Operations.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. Phocas Financial Corporation is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.29% and declining to 0.20% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Administration fees

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

 

     Class-level administration fee  
     Current rate        Rate prior to
July 1, 2015
 

Class A, Class C

     0.21        0.26

Administrator Class

     0.13           0.10   

Institutional Class

     0.13           0.08   

Investor Class

     0.32           0.32   

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. Waiver of fees and/or reimbursement of expenses by Funds Management were made first from fund level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. Funds Management has committed through November 30, 2015 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.10% for Class A shares, 1.85% for Class C shares, 0.85% for Administrator Class shares, 0.65% for Institutional Class shares and 1.16% for Investor Class shares. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fee

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


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26   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Notes to financial statements

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemptions of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class C shares. For the year ended July 31, 2015, Funds Distributor received $3,926 from the sale of Class A shares.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class C, Administrator Class, and Investor Class of the Fund is charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class.

A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended July 31, 2015 were $207,085,454 and $246,554,417, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds and certain other funds in the Trust) and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $150,000,000 revolving credit agreement, whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.10% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the Fund paid $440 in commitment fees.

For the year ended July 31, 2015, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended July 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Year ended July 31  
     2015      2014  

Ordinary income

   $ 2,298,368       $ 1,578,819   

Long-term capital gains

     25,780,482         28,285,407   

As of July 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
ordinary
income
   Undistributed
long-term
gain
   Unrealized
gains
   Capital loss
carryforward
$113,976    $19,440,778    $50,990,126    $(4,679,794)

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.


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Report of independent registered public accounting firm   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     27   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund (the “Fund”), one of the funds constituting the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, as of July 31, 2015, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of July 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund as of July 31, 2015, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

September 23, 2015


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28   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Other information (unaudited)

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 100% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $25,780,482 was designated as long-term capital gain distributions for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $2,298,368 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015, $2,393 has been designated as interest-related dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

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

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The complete portfolio holdings for the Fund are publicly available on the Fund’s website (wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com) on a 1-day delayed basis. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which is available by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and at regional offices in New York City, at 233 Broadway, and in Chicago, at 175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     29   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds, which consists of 133 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Other

directorships during
past five years

William R. Ebsworth (Born 1957)   Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director at Fidelity Management and Research Company and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Mr. Ebsworth is an Adjunct Lecturer, Finance, at Babson College and a Chartered Financial Analyst.   Asset Allocation Trust
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is a Chartered Financial Analyst (inactive), Chair of Taproot Foundation (non-profit organization) and a Board Member of Ruth Bancroft Garden (non-profit organization).   Asset Allocation Trust
Peter G. Gordon (Born 1942)   Trustee, since 1998; Chairman, since 2005   Co-Founder, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser Water Company. Trustee Emeritus, Colby College.   Asset Allocation Trust
Isaiah Harris, Jr. (Born 1952)   Trustee, since 2009   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy. Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant.   CIGNA Corporation; Asset Allocation Trust
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)   Trustee, since 2008; Audit Committee Chairman, since 2008   Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   Asset Allocation Trust
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Morgan Stanley Director of the Center for Leadership Development and Research and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   Asset Allocation Trust
Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   Asset Allocation Trust


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30   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Other information (unaudited)

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Other

directorships during
past five years

Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007 and Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   Asset Allocation Trust
Michael S. Scofield (Born 1943)   Trustee, since 2010   Served on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 2008-2011 as well the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council from 2006-2011 and the Independent Directors Council Executive Committee from 2008-2011. Chairman of the IDC from 2008-2010. Institutional Investor (Fund Directions) Trustee of Year in 2007. Trustee of the Evergreen Funds complex (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010. Chairman of the Evergreen Funds from 2000-2010. Former Trustee of the Mentor Funds. Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.   Asset Allocation Trust
Donald C. Willeke (Born 1940)   Trustee, since 1996   Principal of the law firm of Willeke & Daniels. General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1984 until its consolidation into the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010. Director and Vice Chair of The Tree Trust (non-profit corporation). Director of the American Chestnut Foundation (non-profit corporation).   Asset Allocation Trust

 

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

 

** William R. Ebsworth and Jane A. Freeman each became a Trustee effective January 1, 2015.

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer    
Karla M. Rabusch (Born 1959)   President, since 2003   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2003.    
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2007. Head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.    
C. David Messman (Born 1960)   Secretary, since 2000; Chief Legal Officer, since 2003   Senior Vice President and Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2001. Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2013 and Vice President and Managing Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank N.A. from 1996 to 2013.    
Debra Ann Early (Born 1964)   Chief Compliance Officer, since 2007   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2007 and Chief Compliance Officer from 2007 to 2014. Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2005 to 2007. Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2004 to 2007 and Senior Audit Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1998 to 2004.    
David Berardi (Born 1975)   Assistant Treasurer, since 2009   Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Assistant Vice President of Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2008. Manager of Fund Reporting and Control for Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2004 to 2010.    

 

 

1  Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 61 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 72 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

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


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     31   

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

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at an in-person meeting held on May 19-20, 2015 (the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); (ii) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Funds Management; and (iii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Phocas Financial Corporation (the “Sub-Adviser”). The Management Agreement combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Fund’s Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) applicable to Fund-level administrative services. The Advisory Agreement, the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at an in-person meeting in March 2015, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2015. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Funds Management, and the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board noted that the services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement combined the advisory services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Fund-level administrative services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Administration Agreement. The Board received a representation from Funds Management that combining these services would not result in any change to the nature or level of services provided by Funds Management to the Fund.

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


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32   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   Other information (unaudited)

Fund performance and expenses

The Board considered the performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended March 31, 2015. The Board considered these results in comparison to the performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Lipper is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the performance of the Fund (Administrator Class) was higher than or in range of the Universe for all periods under review except the one-year period. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Value Index, for all periods under review except the first quarter of 2015 and the ten-year period.

The Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Fund relative to the Universe and benchmark for the periods noted above. The Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance in these periods, including with respect to sector allocations and investment decisions that affected the Fund’s performance.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees (which reflect fee waivers, if any, and include advisory, administration and transfer agent fees), custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Lipper to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Lipper reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups. The Board discussed and accepted Funds Management’s proposal to convert the Investor Class shares into Class A shares, and to increase the net operating expense ratio caps for the Administrator Class and Institutional Class. In accepting such proposed new net operating expense ratio caps, the Board noted that the Fund’s new net operating expense ratios would still be lower than or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups.

The Board took into account the Fund performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement and approve the Management Agreement.

Investment advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rates that are payable by the Fund to Funds Management for investment advisory services (the “Advisory Agreement Rates”), both on a stand-alone basis and on a combined basis with the Fund’s fund-level and class-level contractual administration fee rates (the “Management Rates”). The Board noted that the Management Rates include transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs. The Board also noted that the fee rate to be paid by the Fund under the Management Agreement will incorporate the advisory fee and Fund-level administration fee previously payable separately by the Fund under the Fund’s Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement with Funds Management. The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rates”).

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Management Rates of the Fund with those of other funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were in range of the average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for all share class except for the Investor Class and Class A. The Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups for all share classes, including Investor Class and Class A. The Board also noted that it accepted Funds Management’s proposal to convert the Investor Class shares into Class A shares.

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


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund     33   

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

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable, in light of the services covered by the Advisory Agreements.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of Wells Fargo as a whole, from providing services to the Fund and the fund family as a whole. Funds Management reported on the methodologies and estimates used in calculating profitability. Among other things, the Board noted that the levels of profitability reported on a fund-by-fund basis varied widely, depending on factors such as the size and type of fund. The Board did not consider profitability with respect to the Sub-Adviser, as the sub-advisory fees paid to the Sub-Adviser had been negotiated by Funds Management on an arm’s-length basis.

Based on its review, the Board did not deem the profits reported by Funds Management to be at a level that would prevent it from approving the continuation of the Advisory Agreements.

Economies of scale

With respect to possible economies of scale, the Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory and management fee structures, and the Fund’s administration fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size. It considered that, for a small fund or a fund that shrinks in size, breakpoints conversely can result in higher fee levels. The Board also considered that fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements and competitive fee rates at the outset are means of sharing potential economies of scale with shareholders of the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board considered Funds Management’s view that any analyses of potential economies of scale in managing a particular fund are inherently limited in light of the joint and common costs and investments that Funds Management incurs across the fund family as a whole.

The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee and expense arrangements, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

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

The Board also reviewed information about fees earned by Funds Management from managing a private investment vehicle for the fund family’s securities lending collateral and commissions earned by an affiliated broker from portfolio transactions.

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

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.


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34   Wells Fargo Advantage Large Company Value Fund   List of abbreviations

The following is a list of common abbreviations for terms and entities that may have appeared in this report.

 

ACA —  ACA Financial Guaranty Corporation
ADR —  American depositary receipt
ADS —  American depositary shares
AGC —  Assured Guaranty Corporation
AGM —  Assured Guaranty Municipal
Ambac —  Ambac Financial Group Incorporated
AMT —  Alternative minimum tax
AUD —  Australian dollar
BAN —  Bond anticipation notes
BHAC —  Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation
BRL —  Brazilian real
CAB —  Capital appreciation bond
CAD —  Canadian dollar
CCAB —  Convertible capital appreciation bond
CDA —  Community Development Authority
CDO —  Collateralized debt obligation
CHF —  Swiss franc
COP —  Colombian peso
CLP —  Chilean peso
DKK —  Danish krone
DRIVER —  Derivative inverse tax-exempt receipts
DW&P —  Department of Water & Power
DWR —  Department of Water Resources
ECFA —  Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority
EDA —  Economic Development Authority
EDFA —  Economic Development Finance Authority
ETF —  Exchange-traded fund
EUR —  Euro
FDIC —  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FFCB —  Federal Farm Credit Banks
FGIC —  Financial Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FHA —  Federal Housing Administration
FHLB —  Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC —  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FICO —  The Financing Corporation
FNMA —  Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA —  Farm Service Agency
GBP —  Great British pound
GDR —  Global depositary receipt
GNMA —  Government National Mortgage Association
GO —  General obligation
HCFR —  Healthcare facilities revenue
HEFA —  Health & Educational Facilities Authority
HEFAR —  Higher education facilities authority revenue
HFA —  Housing Finance Authority
HFFA —  Health Facilities Financing Authority
HKD —  Hong Kong dollar
HUD —  Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUF —  Hungarian forint
IDA —  Industrial Development Authority
IDAG —  Industrial Development Agency
IDR —  Indonesian rupiah
IEP —  Irish pound
JPY —  Japanese yen
KRW —  Republic of Korea won
LIBOR —  London Interbank Offered Rate
LIFER —  Long Inverse Floating Exempt Receipts
LIQ —  Liquidity agreement
LLC —  Limited liability company
LLLP —  Limited liability limited partnership
LLP —  Limited liability partnership
LOC —  Letter of credit
LP —  Limited partnership
MBIA —  Municipal Bond Insurance Association
MFHR —  Multifamily housing revenue
MSTR —  Municipal securities trust receipts
MTN —  Medium-term note
MUD —  Municipal Utility District
MXN —  Mexican peso
MYR —  Malaysian ringgit
National —  National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation
NGN —  Nigerian naira
NOK —  Norwegian krone
NZD —  New Zealand dollar
PCFA —  Pollution Control Financing Authority
PCL —  Public Company Limited
PCR —  Pollution control revenue
PFA —  Public Finance Authority
PFFA —  Public Facilities Financing Authority
PFOTER —  Puttable floating option tax-exempt receipts
plc —  Public limited company
PLN —  Polish zloty
PUTTER —  Puttable tax-exempt receipts
R&D —  Research & development
Radian —  Radian Asset Assurance
RAN —  Revenue anticipation notes
RDA —  Redevelopment Authority
RDFA —  Redevelopment Finance Authority
REIT —  Real estate investment trust
ROC —  Reset option certificates
RON —  Romanian lei
RUB —  Russian ruble
SAVRS —  Select auction variable rate securities
SBA —  Small Business Authority
SDR —  Swedish depositary receipt
SEK —  Swedish krona
SFHR —  Single-family housing revenue
SFMR —  Single-family mortgage revenue
SGD —  Singapore dollar
SPA —  Standby purchase agreement
SPDR —  Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts
SPEAR —   Short Puttable Exempt Adjustable Receipts
STRIPS —  Separate trading of registered interest and
           principal securities
TAN —  Tax anticipation notes
TBA —  To be announced
THB —  Thai baht
TIPS —  Treasury inflation-protected securities
TRAN —  Tax revenue anticipation notes
TRY —  Turkish lira
TTFA —  Transportation Trust Fund Authority
TVA —  Tennessee Valley Authority
ZAR —  South African rand
 


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LOGO

 

 

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For more information

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

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

P.O. Box 8266

Boston, MA 02266-8266

Email: wfaf@wellsfargo.com

Website: wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

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

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, provides investment advisory and administrative services for Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. Other affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company provide subadvisory and other services for the Funds. The Funds are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE

© 2015 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

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236198 09-15

A210/AR210 07-15


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Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund

 

LOGO

 

Annual Report

July 31, 2015

 

 

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Table of Contents

Reduce clutter. Save trees.

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

Contents

 

 

 

Letter to shareholders

    2   

Performance highlights

    4   

Fund expenses

    8   

Portfolio of investments

    9   
Financial statements  

Statement of assets and liabilities

    13   

Statement of operations

    14   

Statement of changes in net assets

    15   

Financial highlights

    16   

Notes to financial statements

    22   

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

    27   

Other information

    28   

List of abbreviations

    34   

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of July 31, 2015, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements; the views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE



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2   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period

 

 

Dear Valued Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015. Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period (as measured by the S&P 500 Index1). In contrast, many economies and markets elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges.

Positive U.S. economic data but increased tensions abroad led to heightened market volatility in the last five months of 2014.

Following a negative monthly return for July 2014, the S&P 500 Index bounced back in August on a string of positive economic news, led by a 4.2% revised second-quarter 2014 gross domestic product (GDP) reading. The S&P 500 Index gave back some of its August gains in September, however; stock market volatility increased as positive economic data became overshadowed at times by growing discomfort over escalating tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East and slowing growth in Europe and China. Ultimately, U.S. stocks ended the third quarter up slightly overall, buoyed largely by strong corporate earnings and another upward revision of second-quarter GDP growth (to 4.6%).

The fourth quarter of 2014 brought continued improvement in the U.S.; international economies remained challenged. Strong fourth-quarter results by U.S. stocks helped the S&P 500 Index deliver more than 50 record closes in 2014. The last several, in December, were spurred by investor optimism following U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Janet Yellen’s comment that the Fed would be patient in its timing of an interest-rate increase. U.S. stocks also were boosted by positive economic data; November’s 5.8% unemployment rate was down from 7.0% a year earlier, and the number of jobs being added continued to expand. In addition, the U.S. economy’s third-quarter growth rate was revised upward to 5.0% during the quarter, and U.S. companies continued to report strong earnings. The steadily brightening U.S. economy energized consumers, who were further buoyed by much lower prices at the gasoline pump. As the U.S. chugged forward, though, major economies elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges. While Japan eased out of a two-quarter contraction, growth in China continued to slow and Russia’s economy contracted for the first time since 2009. In the eurozone, growth remained sluggish; this situation was exacerbated in December by renewed concerns about Greece after its parliament failed to avert a general election that could jeopardize the country’s financial agreements with its creditors.

In the first quarter of 2015, U.S. large caps delivered positive results but underperformed small- and mid-cap stocks; major markets elsewhere rallied.

U.S. large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks tended to move similarly during the quarter until early March, when results began to diverge by market capitalization. Larger caps slipped that month as investor concern grew over the strengthening U.S. dollar’s potentially negative effect on the profits of large U.S. multinational firms; however, stocks of small and midsize companies, which tend to be less affected by movements in the dollar, performed better. Positive stock results were supported by a gradually improving U.S. economy. The labor market continued to grow, along with personal income and consumer confidence. For U.S. businesses, the quarter’s data were mixed; while many companies reported strong earnings, other data indicated potential weakening in manufacturing. Elsewhere in the world, major markets enjoyed positive returns spurred by accommodative monetary policies from major central banks and signs of improvement in some struggling economies.

 

 

 

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


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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     3   

U.S. large caps experienced challenges during the second quarter of 2015.

The S&P 500 Index fluctuated widely during this quarter, eventually eking out a 0.28% gain for the period. Larger-cap stocks at times were pressured by ongoing investor concerns over the potentially negative effects of financially troubled overseas economies and the strengthening U.S. dollar. The U.S. economy picked up traction during the quarter; consumer spending improved, and positive trends were evident in construction and new-home sales. Jobs growth remained a bright spot as well. Fed officials, who have kept interest rates low while waiting for the U.S. jobs market to sufficiently improve and for inflation to approach their 2% target, made clear that they could take action soon. Throughout the quarter, markets outside the U.S. continued to experience volatility, triggered by uncertainty over the potential impact of financial challenges in other locations—most notably in Greece and Puerto Rico. Questions over slower growth in China caused investor concern as well.

July 2015 brought a bounce-back for U.S. large caps.

U.S. large-cap stocks delivered 2.10% for the month (as measured by the S&P 500 Index). The boost was supported by encouraging U.S. economic data, including positive earnings reports from a range of U.S. companies, increased retail spending by U.S. consumers, and further improvement in the jobs market.

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

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

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

Notice to shareholders

At a meeting held on August 11–12, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change in the name of the Fund whereby the word “Advantage” will be removed from its name, effective December 15, 2015.

 

For current information about your fund investments, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


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4   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Thomas J. Pence, CFA

Michael T. Smith, CFA

Average annual total returns1 (%) as of July 31, 2015

 

        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
Class A (EKOAX)   4-29-1968     4.29        14.94        9.18        10.65        16.31        9.83        1.27        1.27   
Class B (EKOBX)*   8-2-1993     5.19        15.21        9.26        9.82        15.43        9.26        2.02        2.02   
Class C (EKOCX)   8-2-1993     8.79        15.43        9.02        9.79        15.43        9.02        2.02        2.02   
Class R (EKORX)   10-10-2003                          10.38        16.02        9.57        1.52        1.52   
Administrator Class (EOMYX)   1-13-1997                          10.91        16.59        10.11        1.19        1.05   
Institutional Class (EKONX)   7-30-2010                          11.20        16.88        10.25        0.94        0.80   
Russell 3000® Growth Index4                            16.37        17.76        8.96                 
*   Class B shares are closed to investment, except in connection with the reinvestment of any distributions and permitted exchanges.

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

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

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class B shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 5.00%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R, Administrator Class, and Institutional Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of individual companies and general market and economic conditions. Certain investment strategies tend to increase the total risk of an investment (relative to the broader market). The Fund is exposed to foreign investment risk and smaller-company securities risk. Consult the Fund’s prospectus for additional information on these and other risks.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


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Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     5   
Growth of $10,000 investment5 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

 

 

1  Historical performance shown for Institutional Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Administrator Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to Administrator Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns would be higher. Historical performance shown for all classes of the Fund prior to July 19, 2010, is based on the performance of the Fund’s predecessor, Evergreen Omega Fund.

 

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

 

3  The manager has contractually committed through November 30, 2015, to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at 1.30% for Class A, 2.05% for Class B, 2.05% for Class C, 1.55% for Class R, 1.05% for Administrator Class, and 0.80% for Institutional Class. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the cap. Without this cap, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.

 

4  The Russell 3000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 3000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5  The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Russell 3000 Growth Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

6  The ten largest holdings, excluding cash and cash equivalents, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

7  Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

* This security was not held in the Fund at the end of the reporting period.


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6   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

n   The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 3000 Growth Index, for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015.

 

n   Results in the consumer discretionary and energy sectors detracted from performance.

 

n   Stock selection in the consumer staples and information technology (IT) sectors benefited performance.

The U.S. stock market performed strongly over the 12-month period, responding positively to improving economic data that pointed to continued recovery in the U.S. economy. While other countries, such as China and several eurozone nations, struggled with slowing growth and deflation concerns, the U.S. improved steadily in a wide range of metrics. As a result, investing in the U.S. tended to appear more attractive compared with investing in many other areas of the world.

 

Ten largest holdings6 (%) as of July 31, 2015  

Apple Incorporated

     6.52   

Amazon.com Incorporated

     3.51   

Facebook Incorporated Class A

     3.19   

Visa Incorporated Class A

     2.70   

The Home Depot Incorporated

     2.29   

ServiceMaster Global Holdings Incorporated

     2.27   

Celgene Corporation

     2.15   

McGraw Hill Financial Incorporated

     2.12   

SEI Investments Company

     1.98   

Google Incorporated Class C

     1.95   

The Fund’s holdings in the consumer discretionary and energy sectors hindered performance relative to the Russell 3000 Growth Index.

In the Fund’s consumer discretionary sector, MGM Resorts International detracted significantly over the period. Although the strong gaming market in Macau had been a key growth driver for many gaming stocks, sentiment for the Macau market turned negative in 2014 as China’s government began implementing new regulations. Also, Hong Kong protests led to a rash of Macau hotel-room cancellations during a busy holiday period. While the company reported some better-than-expected results in Macau and Las Vegas, we exited the position, as recent negative headlines weighed on the stock in favor of what we viewed as better opportunities.

 

 

Historically, our fundamentally based investment process generally has been challenged during times when stock prices were driven by macroeconomic factors rather than by company-specific fundamentals. This dynamic was apparent over the reporting period within the energy sector, where crude-oil prices and the majority of energy-related stocks experienced extreme price volatility. Our energy stock selection has focused primarily on quality U.S. exploration and production (E&P) companies with strong production growth in attractive basins. We have invested in producers we believed could grow profitably despite the movements in oil prices. However, the sector’s recent performance left little doubt that investors have been treating many E&P companies as proxies for oil prices; holdings such as Antero Resources Corporation* and Pioneer Natural Resources Company* detracted from performance, illustrating this extreme volatility. As falling commodity prices led to significant drops in production, energy equipment and service providers were especially hard hit; as a result, both Halliburton Company* and Nabors Industries Limited* detracted significantly from performance.

 

Sector distribution7 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

Stock selection in the consumer staples and IT sectors aided Fund performance.

Within the consumer staples sector, beer and wine manufacturer Constellation Brands, Incorporated, rose sharply over the period, contributing substantially to Fund performance. Constellation’s results reflected a strengthening U.S. consumer and the revenue and cost synergies resulting from the company’s acquisition of Grupo Modelo S.A.B. de C.V.’s U.S. beer business. Constellation remains a true self-help story as the company continues to pay down debt and invest in new products and brand extensions. In the IT sector, Palo Alto Networks, Incorporated, continued a strong run of outperformance. With the proliferation of high-profile hacks and data

 

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


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Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     7   

breaches, Palo Alto’s network firewall solutions are proving to be highly valuable to enterprise and governmental customers. Spending on security and data protection has exploded in recent years, and Palo Alto has been a key beneficiary. While we maintain an outlook for strong earnings growth from the company, we are closely monitoring valuation and the potential for near-term market saturation. Because its core business has been so successful, Palo Alto may need to develop ancillary products to drive new vectors of growth.

Recent market dynamics support our confidence in the Fund’s positioning.

While summer brings blue skies and sunshine to most of the country, the forecast for the U.S. stock market may be considerably cloudier; visibility is low, and a number of economic and geopolitical factors may cause storms for investors in coming months. China continues to struggle in its attempt to reaccelerate growth, Japan remains vigilant in its fight against deflation, and Greece’s debt crisis remains a lingering black cloud over global financial markets. Despite the situation in Greece, signs of stabilization have become evident elsewhere in Europe. In Germany, for example, manufacturers have been bolstered by a weak euro, and bund interest rates have spiked upward. We view the global economic picture as hazy at best.

Given our view, we have centered Fund positioning on firms and industries with a higher level of visibility, choosing to focus on firms we believe could make their own luck. While true secular growth remains scarce, we continue to find opportunities related to the U.S. consumer. Specifically, we have focused on the trend of growth in household formations driven by Millennials, which has created a virtuous cycle of consumer spending. Other consumer-related Fund holdings are focused on travel, health and wellness, and e-commerce. We also see pockets of secular growth in the traditional growth sectors of health care and IT. Within financials, we have selected holdings that could benefit from improving conditions in commercial real estate. Also, we have maintained a few high-conviction holdings in companies tied to the cyclical U.S. industrials sector.

No one likes getting caught in traffic; at times over the past few years, however, fundamental, bottom-up managers—like us—have felt as if we were. The market has appeared to be moving down the road toward rewarding strong underlying fundamentals, only to be stymied by a macroeconomic or geopolitical event that halts progress. However, we have built a portfolio with a strong engine of secular growth that may perform well when the road opens up. In fact, recently we have seen encouraging signs of traffic clearing: Investors have begun reacting rationally to better-than-expected corporate earnings, and fundamentals seem to matter more now than they did in 2014. Although further delays may lie ahead, we will continue to drive the same as we always have: by building portfolios based on bottom-up, fundamental research; balancing risk and return; and weighting the Fund toward our highest-conviction ideas. We remain confident that our disciplined process has the potential to transport shareholders to their desired destinations.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

8   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Fund expenses (unaudited)

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

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from February 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

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

 

    

Beginning

account value

2-1-2015

    

Ending

account value

7-31-2015

    

Expenses

paid during

the period¹

    

Net annualized

expense ratio

 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,088.33       $ 6.73         1.30

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,018.35       $ 6.51         1.30

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,084.27       $ 10.59         2.05

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,014.63       $ 10.24         2.05

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,084.01       $ 10.59         2.05

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,014.63       $ 10.24         2.05

Class R

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,087.14       $ 8.02         1.55

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,017.11       $ 7.75         1.55

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,089.59       $ 5.44         1.05

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,019.59       $ 5.26         1.05

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,091.04       $ 4.15         0.80

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,020.83       $ 4.01         0.80

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     9   

    

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  

Common Stocks: 99.02%

          

Consumer Discretionary: 19.51%

          
Auto Components: 1.30%           

Delphi Automotive plc

          163,900       $ 12,797,312   
          

 

 

 
Diversified Consumer Services: 2.27%           

ServiceMaster Global Holdings Incorporated †

          577,212         22,355,421   
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 1.54%           

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Incorporated †

          563,131         15,120,067   
          

 

 

 
Household Durables: 2.56%           

Harman International Industries Incorporated

          83,100         8,946,546   

Jarden Corporation †

          294,900         16,219,500   
             25,166,046   
          

 

 

 
Internet & Catalog Retail: 3.51%           

Amazon.com Incorporated †

          64,300         34,474,445   
          

 

 

 
Media: 4.82%           

Cinemark Holdings Incorporated

          332,395         13,116,307   

Liberty Global plc Class C †

          377,925         18,571,235   

Time Warner Incorporated

          178,800         15,741,552   
             47,429,094   
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 2.29%           

The Home Depot Incorporated

          192,100         22,481,463   
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 1.22%           

Under Armour Incorporated Class A †

          120,300         11,949,399   
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 2.51%

          
Beverages: 1.42%           

Constellation Brands Incorporated Class A

          116,000         13,922,320   
          

 

 

 
Food & Staples Retailing: 1.09%           

Walgreens Boots Alliance Incorporated

          111,300         10,754,919   
          

 

 

 

Energy: 0.77%

          
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 0.77%           

Cheniere Energy Incorporated †

          110,300         7,607,391   
          

 

 

 

Financials: 9.45%

          
Capital Markets: 3.44%           

Raymond James Financial Incorporated

          243,895         14,389,805   

SEI Investments Company

          364,900         19,452,819   
             33,842,624   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

10   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

    

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Diversified Financial Services: 3.42%           

Intercontinental Exchange Incorporated

          55,800       $ 12,724,632   

McGraw Hill Financial Incorporated

          204,700         20,828,225   
             33,552,857   
          

 

 

 
Real Estate Management & Development: 2.25%           

CBRE Group Incorporated Class A †

          448,600         17,033,342   

The Howard Hughes Corporation †

          37,600         5,112,096   
             22,145,438   
          

 

 

 
REITs: 0.34%           

Bluerock Residential Growth REIT Incorporated «

          258,244         3,305,523   
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 22.01%

          
Biotechnology: 7.25%           

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          68,800         13,583,872   

Biogen Idec Incorporated †

          20,400         6,503,112   

Celgene Corporation †

          160,875         21,114,844   

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

          93,298         10,996,102   

Medivation Incorporated †

          86,099         9,068,808   

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          73,700         9,949,500   
             71,216,238   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 2.51%           

Alere Incorporated †

          274,400         13,338,584   

Align Technology Incorporated †

          181,400         11,373,780   
             24,712,364   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 2.82%           

Community Health Systems Incorporated †

          217,200         12,708,372   

Envision Healthcare Holdings Incorporated †

          336,022         15,053,786   
             27,762,158   
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 9.43%           

Allergan plc †

          44,900         14,868,635   

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

          280,800         18,431,712   

Eli Lilly & Company

          85,900         7,259,409   

Endo International plc †

          169,400         14,829,276   

Perrigo Company plc

          26,600         5,112,520   

Shire plc ADR

          57,200         15,261,532   

Zoetis Incorporated

          345,100         16,902,998   
             92,666,082   
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 8.05%

          
Aerospace & Defense: 0.44%           

TASER International Incorporated †

          159,400         4,338,868   
          

 

 

 
Airlines: 1.30%           

Delta Air Lines Incorporated

          287,800         12,761,052   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     11   

    

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Building Products: 0.37%           

Builders FirstSource Incorporated †

          239,995       $ 3,609,525   
          

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates: 1.72%           

Carlisle Companies Incorporated

          167,000         16,910,420   
          

 

 

 
Machinery: 1.59%           

Proto Labs Incorporated †«

          56,102         4,228,408   

Wabtec Corporation

          112,900         11,424,351   
             15,652,759   
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 1.42%           

Old Dominion Freight Line Incorporated †

          190,570         13,940,196   
          

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 1.21%           

HD Supply Holdings Incorporated †

          332,877         11,916,997   
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 31.67%

          
Communications Equipment: 1.15%           

Palo Alto Networks Incorporated †

          60,706         11,280,996   
          

 

 

 
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 1.06%           

Cognex Corporation

          231,400         10,475,478   
          

 

 

 
Internet Software & Services: 9.16%           

Akamai Technologies Incorporated †

          218,000         16,722,780   

Facebook Incorporated Class A †

          333,700         31,371,137   

Google Incorporated Class A †

          26,700         17,555,250   

Google Incorporated Class C †

          30,685         19,196,843   

LinkedIn Corporation Class A †

          25,400         5,162,804   
             90,008,814   
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 5.82%           

Alliance Data Systems Corporation †

          52,100         14,329,584   

EPAM Systems Incorporated †

          76,800         5,691,648   

Vantiv Incorporated Class A †

          240,974         10,602,856   

Visa Incorporated Class A

          352,504         26,557,651   
             57,181,739   
          

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 0.34%           

Ambarella Incorporated †«

          28,500         3,302,295   
          

 

 

 
Software: 7.62%           

Adobe Systems Incorporated †

          162,300         13,306,977   

CyberArk Software Limited †«

          123,900         7,326,207   

Mobileye NV †

          60,500         3,636,050   

Salesforce.com Incorporated †

          51,000         3,738,300   

ServiceNow Incorporated †

          146,700         11,809,350   

Splunk Incorporated †

          148,200         10,365,108   

Tableau Software Incorporated Class A †

          103,000         10,788,220   

Take-Two Interactive Software Incorporated †

          170,800         5,393,864   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

12   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

    

 

 

Security name              Shares      Value  
Software (continued)          

Workday Incorporated Class A †

         101,100       $ 8,525,763   
            74,889,839   
         

 

 

 
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 6.52%          

Apple Incorporated

         528,700         64,131,310   
         

 

 

 

Materials: 2.47%

         
Chemicals: 1.43%          

Axalta Coating Systems Limited †

         442,400         14,072,744   
         

 

 

 
Construction Materials: 1.04%          

Vulcan Materials Company

         112,100         10,203,340   
         

 

 

 

Telecommunication Services: 2.58%

         
Diversified Telecommunication Services: 1.02%          

Level 3 Communications Incorporated †

         198,400         10,019,200   
         

 

 

 
Wireless Telecommunication Services: 1.56%          

SBA Communications Corporation Class A †

         126,902         15,319,609   
         

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $757,775,202)

            973,276,342   
         

 

 

 
    Yield                    
Short-Term Investments: 3.41%          
Investment Companies: 3.41%          

Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (l)(r)(u)

    0.14        14,354,600         14,354,600   

Wells Fargo Advantage Cash Investment Money Market Fund, Select Class (l)(u)

    0.13           19,185,733         19,185,733   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $33,540,333)

            33,540,333   
         

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $791,315,535) *     102.43        1,006,816,675   

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (2.43        (23,853,383
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 982,963,292   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

« All or a portion of this security is on loan.

 

(l) The security represents an affiliate of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

(r) The investment is a non-registered investment vehicle purchased with cash collateral received from securities on loan.

 

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

 

* Cost for federal income tax purposes is $792,234,879 and unrealized gains (losses) consists of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 225,442,090   

Gross unrealized losses

     (10,860,294
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains

   $ 214,581,796   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Statement of assets and liabilities—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     13   
         

Assets

 

Investments

 

In unaffiliated securities (including $14,140,408 of securities loaned), at value (cost $757,775,202)

  $ 973,276,342   

In affiliated securities, at value (cost $33,540,333)

    33,540,333   
 

 

 

 

Total investments, at value (cost $791,315,535)

    1,006,816,675   

Receivable for investments sold

    18,780,572   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    286,109   

Receivable for dividends

    105,280   

Receivable for securities lending income

    10,636   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    45,074   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,026,044,346   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    25,773,217   

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    1,679,468   

Payable upon receipt of securities loaned

    14,354,600   

Management fee payable

    663,577   

Distribution fees payable

    76,384   

Administration fees payable

    172,959   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    360,849   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    43,081,054   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 982,963,292   
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 701,916,958   

Accumulated net investment loss

    (4,452,286

Accumulated net realized gains on investments

    69,997,480   

Net unrealized gains on investments

    215,501,140   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 982,963,292   
 

 

 

 

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 685,004,999   

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    14,183,805   

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $48.29   

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $51.24   

Net assets – Class B

  $ 7,817,059   

Shares outstanding – Class B1

    208,802   

Net asset value per share – Class B

    $37.44   

Net assets – Class C

  $ 99,100,211   

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    2,638,860   

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $37.55   

Net assets – Class R

  $ 17,199,193   

Shares outstanding – Class R1

    368,637   

Net asset value per share – Class R

    $46.66   

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 86,756,335   

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    1,694,347   

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $51.20   

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 87,085,495   

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    1,674,363   

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $52.01   

 

 

1  The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

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


Table of Contents

 

14   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Statement of operations—year ended July 31, 2015
         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $7,172)

  $ 7,053,159   

Securities lending income, net

    120,943   

Income from affiliated securities

    8,830   
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    7,182,932   
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    7,770,664   

Administration fees

 

Class A

    1,793,203   

Class B

    26,041   

Class C

    269,115   

Class R

    46,491   

Administrator Class

    101,206   

Institutional Class

    59,320   

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    1,753,797   

Class B

    25,175   

Class C

    263,070   

Class R

    45,451   

Administrator Class

    233,631   

Distribution fees

 

Class B

    76,143   

Class C

    789,210   

Class R

    45,451   

Custody and accounting fees

    63,371   

Professional fees

    50,319   

Registration fees

    99,229   

Shareholder report expenses

    141,592   

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    11,439   

Other fees and expenses

    20,350   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    13,684,268   

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (343,268
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    13,341,000   
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (6,158,068
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS

 

Net realized gains on investments

    83,493,222   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    22,205,824   
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    105,699,046   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 99,540,978   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Statement of changes in net assets   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     15   
     Year ended
July 31, 2015
    Year ended
July 31, 2014
 

Operations

     

Net investment loss

    $ (6,158,068     $ (9,015,814

Net realized gains on investments

      83,493,222          160,298,938   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      22,205,824          (6,586,133
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      99,540,978          144,696,991   
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net realized gains

       

Class A

      (88,485,249       (79,931,222

Class B

      (1,659,485       (2,146,719

Class C

      (16,860,203       (13,032,342

Class R

      (2,357,246       (3,057,782

Administrator Class

      (11,565,611       (9,323,528

Institutional Class

      (8,555,196       (1,312,052
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (129,482,990       (108,803,645
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares          Shares     

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    1,073,382        51,726,380        2,629,379        131,733,853   

Class B

    3,036        118,881        14,628        611,739   

Class C

    278,343        10,475,969        725,463        29,939,937   

Class R

    114,110        5,204,171        261,245        12,668,404   

Administrator Class

    459,293        23,327,789        1,297,321        68,639,919   

Institutional Class

    1,015,747        53,541,695        914,142        49,118,738   
 

 

 

 
      144,394,885          292,712,590   
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    1,824,272        82,165,203        1,527,223        74,253,607   

Class B

    46,774        1,640,836        53,475        2,114,420   

Class C

    404,364        14,229,572        265,973        10,543,167   

Class R

    21,691        945,291        19,145        906,888   

Administrator Class

    205,792        9,812,172        147,977        7,543,849   

Institutional Class

    136,046        6,577,836        25,487        1,312,052   
 

 

 

 
      115,370,910          96,673,983   
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (3,198,159     (154,561,009     (3,618,139     (181,905,297

Class B

    (150,668     (5,747,142     (194,619     (8,015,592

Class C

    (708,562     (26,619,160     (398,923     (16,344,006

Class R

    (180,460     (8,460,276     (373,336     (18,294,389

Administrator Class

    (1,166,619     (60,110,360     (634,586     (33,345,492

Institutional Class

    (418,232     (21,368,714     (68,416     (3,559,135
 

 

 

 
      (276,866,661       (261,463,911
 

 

 

 

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

      (17,100,866       127,922,662   
 

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

      (47,042,878       163,816,008   
 

 

 

 

Net assets

   

Beginning of period

      1,030,006,170          866,190,162   
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 982,963,292        $ 1,030,006,170   
 

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss

    $ (4,452,286     $ (30,312
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


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16   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS A   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $49.99        $47.97        $39.09        $38.29        $30.11   

Net investment loss

    (0.28 )1      (0.49     (0.02     (0.28 )1      (0.29

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5.12        8.28        10.31        1.08        8.47   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    4.84        7.79        10.29        0.80        8.18   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (6.54     (5.77     (1.41     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $48.29        $49.99        $47.97        $39.09        $38.29   

Total return2

    10.65     16.58     27.07     2.09     27.17

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.32     1.32     1.34     1.35     1.36

Net expenses

    1.30     1.30     1.30     1.30     1.30

Net investment loss

    (0.58 )%      (0.84 )%      (0.08 )%      (0.75 )%      (0.80 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    94     101     88     101     123

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $685,005        $724,071        $668,992        $550,758        $584,871   

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     17   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS B   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $40.45        $40.07        $33.12        $32.68        $25.89   

Net investment loss

    (0.51 )1      (0.65 )1      (0.28 )1      (0.47 )1      (0.48 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    4.04        6.80        8.64        0.91        7.27   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    3.53        6.15        8.36        0.44        6.79   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (6.54     (5.77     (1.41     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $37.44        $40.45        $40.07        $33.12        $32.68   

Total return2

    9.82     15.71     26.11     1.32     26.23

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    2.07     2.07     2.09     2.10     2.12

Net expenses

    2.05     2.05     2.05     2.05     2.05

Net investment loss

    (1.32 )%      (1.58 )%      (0.78 )%      (1.51 )%      (1.55 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    94     101     88     101     123

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $7,817        $12,526        $17,476        $22,271        $40,023   

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

18   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS C   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $40.56        $40.15        $33.18        $32.75        $25.94   

Net investment loss

    (0.51 )1      (0.65 )1      (0.31 )1      (0.47 )1      (0.49 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    4.04        6.83        8.69        0.90        7.30   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    3.53        6.18        8.38        0.43        6.81   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (6.54     (5.77     (1.41     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $37.55        $40.56        $40.15        $33.18        $32.75   

Total return2

    9.79     15.73     26.11     1.31     26.25

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    2.07     2.07     2.09     2.10     2.11

Net expenses

    2.05     2.05     2.05     2.05     2.05

Net investment loss

    (1.33 )%      (1.59 )%      (0.85 )%      (1.49 )%      (1.55 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    94     101     88     101     123

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $99,100        $108,073        $83,206        $59,481        $58,329   

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     19   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS R   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $48.62        $46.90        $38.35        $37.66        $29.69   

Net investment loss

    (0.39 )1      (0.53 )1      (0.09     (0.36 )1      (0.13

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    4.97        8.02        10.05        1.05        8.10   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    4.58        7.49        9.96        0.69        7.97   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (6.54     (5.77     (1.41     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $46.66        $48.62        $46.90        $38.35        $37.66   

Total return

    10.38     16.30     26.73     1.83     26.89

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.57     1.57     1.59     1.60     1.59

Net expenses

    1.55     1.55     1.55     1.55     1.55

Net investment loss

    (0.83 )%      (1.09 )%      (0.38 )%      (0.99 )%      (1.08 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    94     101     88     101     123

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $17,199        $20,095        $23,745        $15,408        $6,515   

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


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20   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $52.50        $50.00        $40.60        $39.67        $31.12   

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.17 )1      (0.31 )1      0.07 1      (0.19 )1      (0.21 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5.41        8.58        10.74        1.12        8.76   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    5.24        8.27        10.81        0.93        8.55   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (6.54     (5.77     (1.41     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $51.20        $52.50        $50.00        $40.60        $39.67   

Total return

    10.91     16.89     27.35     2.34     27.47

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.15     1.15     1.17     1.17     1.18

Net expenses

    1.05     1.05     1.05     1.05     1.05

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.33 )%      (0.59 )%      0.16     (0.49 )%      (0.56 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    94     101     88     101     123

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $86,756        $115,281        $69,264        $51,560        $41,242   

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     21   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $53.10        $50.40        $40.81        $39.77        $31.12   

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.04 )1      (0.24     0.11 1      (0.10     (0.03

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    5.49        8.71        10.89        1.14        8.68   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    5.45        8.47        11.00        1.04        8.65   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (6.54     (5.77     (1.41     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $52.01        $53.10        $50.40        $40.81        $39.77   

Total return

    11.20     17.17     27.68     2.62     27.80

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.90     0.89     0.91     0.92     0.88

Net expenses

    0.80     0.80     0.80     0.80     0.80

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.09 )%      (0.36 )%      0.24     (0.24 )%      (0.34 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    94     101     88     101     123

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $87,085        $49,960        $3,507        $779        $656   

 

 

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


Table of Contents

 

22   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Notes to financial statements

1. ORGANIZATION

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

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time).

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

Equity securities that are not listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market, but have a public trading market, are valued at the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer that the Management Valuation Team of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”) has determined is an acceptable source.

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

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

Valuations of fair valued securities are compared to the next actual sales price when available, or other appropriate market values, to assess the continued appropriateness of the fair valuation methodologies used. These securities are fair valued on a day-to-day basis, taking into consideration changes to appropriate market information and any significant changes to the inputs considered in the valuation process until there is a readily available price provided on an exchange or by an independent pricing service. Valuations received from an independent pricing service or independent broker-dealer quotes are periodically validated by comparisons to most recent trades and valuations provided by other independent pricing services in addition to the review of prices by the manager and/or subadviser. Unobservable inputs used in determining fair valuations are identified based on the type of security, taking into consideration factors utilized by market participants in valuing the investment, knowledge about the issuer and the current market environment.

Security loans

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Fund continues to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The Fund receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund will be affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or may experience delays or costs in doing so. In addition, the investment of any cash collateral received may lose all or part of its value. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     23   

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). The Securities Lending Fund is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act and is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”). Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser. The Securities Lending Fund seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments. Securities Lending Fund investments are fair valued based upon the amortized cost valuation technique. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund is included in securities lending income on the Statement of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

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

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

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Such distributions are determined in conformity with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Federal and other taxes

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

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

Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under federal income tax regulations. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. The primary permanent difference causing such reclassifications is due to net operating losses. At July 31, 2015, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:

 

Paid-in capital    Accumulated net
investment loss
   Accumulated net
realized gains
on investments
$(1,737,642)    $1,736,094    $1,548

As of July 31, 2015, the Fund had a qualified late-year ordinary loss of $4,425,506 which will be recognized on the first day of the following fiscal year.

Class allocations

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

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

Fair value measurements of investments are determined within a framework that has established a fair value hierarchy based upon the various data inputs utilized in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. The three-level hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the


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24   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Notes to financial statements

lowest priority to significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The Fund’s investments are classified within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The inputs are summarized into three broad levels as follows:

 

n   Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

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

 

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

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of July 31, 2015:

 

     Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in:

           

Common stocks

           

Consumer discretionary

   $ 191,773,247       $ 0       $ 0       $ 191,773,247   

Consumer staples

     24,677,239         0         0         24,677,239   

Energy

     7,607,391         0         0         7,607,391   

Financials

     92,846,442         0         0         92,846,442   

Health care

     216,356,842         0         0         216,356,842   

Industrials

     79,129,817         0         0         79,129,817   

Information technology

     311,270,471         0         0         311,270,471   

Materials

     24,276,084         0         0         24,276,084   

Telecommunication services

     25,338,809         0         0         25,338,809   

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     19,185,733         14,354,600         0         33,540,333   

Total assets

   $ 992,462,075       $ 14,354,600       $ 0       $ 1,006,816,675   

The Fund recognizes transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period. At July 31, 2015, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the applicable subadviser, providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations, and providing any other fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual management fee starting at 0.80% and declining to 0.555% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. For the period from December 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, Funds Management was entitled to receive an annual fee which started at 0.75% and declined to 0.525% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. From August 1, 2014 through November 30, 2014, Funds Management received an annual advisory fee which started at 0.75% and declined to 0.55% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. In addition, prior to July 1, 2015, fund-level administrative services were provided by Funds Management under a separate administration agreement at an annual fee which started at 0.05% and declined to 0.03% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. For the year ended July 31, 2015,


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     25   

the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.77% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For financial statement purposes, advisory fees and fund-level administration fees for the year ended July 31, 2015 have been included in management fee on the Statement of Operations.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. WellsCap, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.45% and declining to 0.30% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Administration fees

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

 

     Class-level administration fee  
     Current rate        Rate prior to
July 1, 2015
 

Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R

     0.21        0.26

Administrator Class

     0.13           0.10   

Institutional Class

     0.13           0.08   

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed advisory and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. Waiver of fees and/or reimbursement of expenses by Funds Management were made first from fund level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. Funds Management has committed through November 30, 2015 to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s expenses at 1.30% for Class A shares, 2.05% for Class B shares, 2.05% for Class C shares, 1.55% for Class R shares, 1.05% for Administrator Class shares, and 0.80% for Institutional Class shares. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees.

Distribution fees

The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for Class B, Class C, and Class R shares of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Distribution fees are charged to Class B, Class C, and Class R shares and paid to Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC (“Funds Distributor”), the principal underwriter, at an annual rate of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class B and Class C shares and 0.25% of the average daily net assets for Class R shares.

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class B and Class C shares. For the year ended July 31, 2015, Funds Distributor received $25,251 from the sale of Class A shares and $264 and $374 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class B and Class C shares, respectively.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class B, Class C, Class R, and Administrator Class of the Fund is charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class.

A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended July 31, 2015 were $929,896,858 and $1,082,712,658, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds and certain other funds in the Trust) and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $150,000,000 revolving credit agreement, whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to


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26   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Notes to financial statements

the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.10% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the Fund paid $1,474 in commitment fees.

For the year ended July 31, 2015, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended July 31, 2015 and July 31, 2014 were as follows:

 

     Year ended July 31  
     2015      2014  

Ordinary income

   $ 25,132,357       $ 18,352,363   

Long-term capital gain

     104,350,633         90,451,282   

As of July 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
long-term
gain
   Unrealized
gains
   Late-year
ordinary losses
deferred
$70,916,824    $214,581,796    $(4,425,506)

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.


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Report of independent registered public accounting firm   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     27   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund (the “Fund”), one of the funds constituting the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, as of July 31, 2015, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of July 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund as of July 31, 2015, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

September 23, 2015


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28   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

TAX INFORMATION

For corporate shareholders, pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, 13.59% of ordinary income dividends qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $104,350,633 was designated as long-term capital gain distributions for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

Pursuant to Section 854 of the Internal Revenue Code, $4,016,151 of income dividends paid during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015 has been designated as qualified dividend income (QDI).

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015, $25,132,357 has been designated as short-term capital gain dividends for nonresident alien shareholders pursuant to Section 871 of the Internal Revenue Code.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

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

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The complete portfolio holdings for the Fund are publicly available monthly on the Fund’s website (wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com), on a one-month delayed basis. In addition, top ten holdings information (excluding derivative positions) for the Fund is publicly available on the Fund’s website on a monthly, seven-day or more delayed basis. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which is available by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and at regional offices in New York City, at 233 Broadway, and in Chicago, at 175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     29   

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds, which consists of 133 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Other

directorships during
past five years

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director at Fidelity Management and Research Company and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Mr. Ebsworth is an Adjunct Lecturer, Finance, at Babson College and a Chartered Financial Analyst.   Asset Allocation Trust

Jane A. Freeman

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is a Chartered Financial Analyst (inactive), Chair of Taproot Foundation (non-profit organization) and a Board Member of Ruth Bancroft Garden (non-profit organization).   Asset Allocation Trust

Peter G. Gordon

(Born 1942)

  Trustee, since 1998; Chairman, since 2005   Co-Founder, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser Water Company. Trustee Emeritus, Colby College.   Asset Allocation Trust

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy. Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant.   CIGNA Corporation; Asset Allocation Trust

Judith M. Johnson

(Born 1949)

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

David F. Larcker

(Born 1950)

  Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Morgan Stanley Director of the Center for Leadership Development and Research and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   Asset Allocation Trust


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30   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Other

directorships during
past five years

Olivia S. Mitchell

(Born 1953)

  Trustee, since 2006   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   Asset Allocation Trust

Timothy J. Penny

(Born 1951)

  Trustee, since 1996   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007 and Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   Asset Allocation Trust

Michael S. Scofield

(Born 1943)

  Trustee, since 2010   Served on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 2008-2011 as well the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council from 2006-2011 and the Independent Directors Council Executive Committee from 2008-2011. Chairman of the IDC from 2008-2010. Institutional Investor (Fund Directions) Trustee of Year in 2007. Trustee of the Evergreen Funds complex (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010. Chairman of the Evergreen Funds from 2000-2010. Former Trustee of the Mentor Funds. Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.   Asset Allocation Trust

Donald C. Willeke

(Born 1940)

  Trustee, since 1996   Principal of the law firm of Willeke & Daniels. General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1984 until its consolidation into the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010. Director and Vice Chair of The Tree Trust (non-profit corporation). Director of the American Chestnut Foundation (non-profit corporation).   Asset Allocation Trust

 

* Length of service dates reflect the Trustee’s commencement of service with the Trust’s predecessor entities, where applicable.
** William R. Ebsworth and Jane A. Freeman each became a Trustee effective January 1, 2015.

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

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

Karla M. Rabusch

(Born 1959)

  President, since 2003   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2003.    

Jeremy DePalma1

(Born 1974)

  Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2007. Head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.    

C. David Messman

(Born 1960)

  Secretary, since 2000; Chief Legal Officer, since 2003   Senior Vice President and Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2001. Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2013 and Vice President and Managing Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank N.A. from 1996 to 2013.    

Debra Ann Early

(Born 1964)

  Chief Compliance Officer, since 2007   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2007 and Chief Compliance Officer from 2007 to 2014. Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2005 to 2007. Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2004 to 2007 and Senior Audit Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1998 to 2004.    

David Berardi

(Born 1975)

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

 

 

1 Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 61 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 72 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

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


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     31   

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

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at an in-person meeting held on May 19-20, 2015 (the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); (ii) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Funds Management; and (iii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Fund’s Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) applicable to Fund-level administrative services. The Advisory Agreement, the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at an in-person meeting in March 2015, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2015. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Funds Management, and the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board noted that the services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement combined the advisory services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Fund-level administrative services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Administration Agreement. The Board received a representation from Funds Management that combining these services would not result in any change to the nature or level of services provided by Funds Management to the Fund.

The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance


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32   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund performance and expenses

The Board considered the performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended March 31, 2015. The Board considered these results in comparison to the performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Lipper is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the performance of the Fund (Administrator Class) was lower than the average performance of the Universe for all periods under review except for the five-and ten-year periods. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark, the Russell 3000® Growth Index, for all periods under review except the ten-year period.

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

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees (which reflect fee waivers, if any, and include advisory, administration and transfer agent fees), custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Lipper to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Lipper reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups. The Board discussed and accepted Funds Management’s proposal to increase net operating expense ratio caps for the Administrator Class and Institutional Class. In accepting such proposed new net operating expense ratio caps, the Board noted that the Fund’s new net operating expense ratios would still be lower than or in range of the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups.

The Board took into account the Fund performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement and approve the Management Agreement.

Investment advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rates that are payable by the Fund to Funds Management for investment advisory services (the “Advisory Agreement Rates”), both on a stand-alone basis and on a combined basis with the Fund’s fund-level and class-level contractual administration fee rates (the “Management Rates”). The Board noted that the Management Rates include transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs. The Board also noted that the fee rate to be paid by the Fund under the Management Agreement will incorporate the advisory fee and Fund-level administration fee previously payable separately by the Fund under the Fund’s Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement with Funds Management. The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rates”).

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Management Rates of the Fund with those of other funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were in lower than or in range of the average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes except Class R.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total advisory fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. However, given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of the advisory fee between them.

The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund     33   

of the Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of non-mutual fund clients such as collective funds or institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable, in light of the services covered by the Advisory Agreements.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of Wells Fargo as a whole, from providing services to the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board also received and considered information concerning the profitability of the Sub-Adviser from providing services to the fund family as a whole, noting that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund was subsumed in the Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

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

Economies of scale

With respect to possible economies of scale, the Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory and management fee structures, and the Fund’s administration fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size. It considered that, for a small fund or a fund that shrinks in size, breakpoints conversely can result in higher fee levels. The Board also considered that fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements and competitive fee rates at the outset are means of sharing potential economies of scale with shareholders of the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board considered Funds Management’s view that any analyses of potential economies of scale in managing a particular fund are inherently limited in light of the joint and common costs and investments that Funds Management incurs across the fund family as a whole.

The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee and expense arrangements, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

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

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

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

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.


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34   Wells Fargo Advantage Omega Growth Fund   List of abbreviations

The following is a list of common abbreviations for terms and entities that may have appeared in this report.

 

ACA —  ACA Financial Guaranty Corporation
ADR —  American depositary receipt
ADS —  American depositary shares
AGC —  Assured Guaranty Corporation
AGM —  Assured Guaranty Municipal
Ambac —  Ambac Financial Group Incorporated
AMT —  Alternative minimum tax
AUD —  Australian dollar
BAN —  Bond anticipation notes
BHAC —  Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation
BRL —  Brazilian real
CAB —  Capital appreciation bond
CAD —  Canadian dollar
CCAB —  Convertible capital appreciation bond
CDA —  Community Development Authority
CDO —  Collateralized debt obligation
CHF —  Swiss franc
COP —  Colombian peso
CLP —  Chilean peso
DKK —  Danish krone
DRIVER —  Derivative inverse tax-exempt receipts
DW&P —  Department of Water & Power
DWR —  Department of Water Resources
ECFA —  Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority
EDA —  Economic Development Authority
EDFA —  Economic Development Finance Authority
ETF —  Exchange-traded fund
EUR —  Euro
FDIC —  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FFCB —  Federal Farm Credit Banks
FGIC —  Financial Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FHA —  Federal Housing Administration
FHLB —  Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC —  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FICO —  The Financing Corporation
FNMA —  Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA —  Farm Service Agency
GBP —  Great British pound
GDR —  Global depositary receipt
GNMA —  Government National Mortgage Association
GO —  General obligation
HCFR —  Healthcare facilities revenue
HEFA —  Health & Educational Facilities Authority
HEFAR —  Higher education facilities authority revenue
HFA —  Housing Finance Authority
HFFA —  Health Facilities Financing Authority
HKD —  Hong Kong dollar
HUD —  Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUF —  Hungarian forint
IDA —  Industrial Development Authority
IDAG —  Industrial Development Agency
IDR —  Indonesian rupiah
IEP —  Irish pound
JPY —  Japanese yen
KRW —  Republic of Korea won
LIBOR —  London Interbank Offered Rate
LIFER —  Long Inverse Floating Exempt Receipts
LIQ —  Liquidity agreement
LLC —  Limited liability company
LLLP —  Limited liability limited partnership
LLP —  Limited liability partnership
LOC —  Letter of credit
LP —  Limited partnership
MBIA —  Municipal Bond Insurance Association
MFHR —  Multifamily housing revenue
MSTR —  Municipal securities trust receipts
MTN —  Medium-term note
MUD —  Municipal Utility District
MXN —  Mexican peso
MYR —  Malaysian ringgit
National —  National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation
NGN —  Nigerian naira
NOK —  Norwegian krone
NZD —  New Zealand dollar
PCFA —  Pollution Control Financing Authority
PCL —  Public Company Limited
PCR —  Pollution control revenue
PFA —  Public Finance Authority
PFFA —  Public Facilities Financing Authority
PFOTER —  Puttable floating option tax-exempt receipts
plc —  Public limited company
PLN —  Polish zloty
PUTTER —  Puttable tax-exempt receipts
R&D —  Research & development
Radian —  Radian Asset Assurance
RAN —  Revenue anticipation notes
RDA —  Redevelopment Authority
RDFA —  Redevelopment Finance Authority
REIT —  Real estate investment trust
ROC —  Reset option certificates
RON —  Romanian lei
RUB —  Russian ruble
SAVRS —  Select auction variable rate securities
SBA —  Small Business Authority
SDR —  Swedish depositary receipt
SEK —  Swedish krona
SFHR —  Single-family housing revenue
SFMR —  Single-family mortgage revenue
SGD —  Singapore dollar
SPA —  Standby purchase agreement
SPDR —  Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts
SPEAR —   Short Puttable Exempt Adjustable Receipts
STRIPS —  Separate trading of registered interest and
           principal securities
TAN —  Tax anticipation notes
TBA —  To be announced
THB —  Thai baht
TIPS —  Treasury inflation-protected securities
TRAN —  Tax revenue anticipation notes
TRY —  Turkish lira
TTFA —  Transportation Trust Fund Authority
TVA —  Tennessee Valley Authority
ZAR —  South African rand
 


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LOGO

 

 

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For more information

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

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

P.O. Box 8266

Boston, MA 02266-8266

Email: wfaf@wellsfargo.com

Website: wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

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

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, provides investment advisory and administrative services for Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. Other affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company provide subadvisory and other services for the Funds. The Funds are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE

© 2015 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

LOGO     

236199 09-15

A211/AR211 07-15


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

Wells Fargo Advantage

Premier Large Company Growth Fund

 

LOGO

 

Annual Report

July 31, 2015

 

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

Reduce clutter. Save trees.

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

Contents

 

 

 

Letter to shareholders

    2   

Performance highlights

    4   

Fund expenses

    8   

Portfolio of investments

    9   
Financial statements  

Statement of assets and liabilities

    14   

Statement of operations

    15   

Statement of changes in net assets

    16   

Financial highlights

    17   

Notes to financial statements

    25   

Report of independent registered public accounting firm

    30   

Other information

    31   

List of abbreviations

    37   

 

The views expressed and any forward-looking statements are as of July 31, 2015, unless otherwise noted, and are those of the Fund managers and/or Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. Discussions of individual securities, or the markets generally, or any Wells Fargo Advantage Fund are not intended as individual recommendations. Future events or results may vary significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statements; the views expressed are subject to change at any time in response to changing circumstances in the market. Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC and the Fund disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any views expressed or forward-looking statements.

 

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE



Table of Contents

 

2   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Letter to shareholders (unaudited)

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period

 

 

Dear Valued Shareholder:

We are pleased to offer you this annual report for the Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015. Generally improving U.S. economic data helped drive a positive return for U.S. large-cap stocks for the reporting period (as measured by the S&P 500 Index1). In contrast, many economies and markets elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges.

Positive U.S. economic data but increased tensions abroad led to heightened market volatility in the last five months of 2014.

Following a negative monthly return for July 2014, the S&P 500 Index bounced back in August on a string of positive economic news, led by a 4.2% revised second-quarter 2014 gross domestic product (GDP) reading. The S&P 500 Index gave back some of its August gains in September, however; stock market volatility increased as positive economic data became overshadowed at times by growing discomfort over escalating tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East and slowing growth in Europe and China. Ultimately, U.S. stocks ended the third quarter up slightly overall, buoyed largely by strong corporate earnings and another upward revision of second-quarter GDP growth (to 4.6%).

The fourth quarter of 2014 brought continued improvement in the U.S.; international economies remained challenged. Strong fourth-quarter results by U.S. stocks helped the S&P 500 Index deliver more than 50 record closes in 2014. The last several, in December, were spurred by investor optimism following U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) Chair Janet Yellen’s comment that the Fed would be patient in its timing of an interest-rate increase. U.S. stocks also were boosted by positive economic data; November’s 5.8% unemployment rate was down from 7.0% a year earlier, and the number of jobs being added continued to expand. In addition, the U.S. economy’s third-quarter growth rate was revised upward to 5.0% during the quarter, and U.S. companies continued to report strong earnings. The steadily brightening U.S. economy energized consumers, who were further buoyed by much lower prices at the gasoline pump. As the U.S. chugged forward, though, major economies elsewhere in the world faced ongoing challenges. While Japan eased out of a two-quarter contraction, growth in China continued to slow and Russia’s economy contracted for the first time since 2009. In the eurozone, growth remained sluggish; this situation was exacerbated in December by renewed concerns about Greece after its parliament failed to avert a general election that could jeopardize the country’s financial agreements with its creditors.

In the first quarter of 2015, U.S. large caps delivered positive results but underperformed small- and mid-cap stocks; major markets elsewhere rallied.

U.S. large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks tended to move similarly during the quarter until early March, when results began to diverge by market capitalization. Larger caps slipped that month as investor concern grew over the strengthening U.S. dollar’s potentially negative effect on the profits of large U.S. multinational firms; however, stocks of small and midsize companies, which tend to be less affected by movements in the dollar, performed better. Positive stock results were supported by a gradually improving U.S. economy. The labor market continued to grow, along with personal income and consumer confidence. For U.S. businesses, the quarter’s data were mixed; while many companies reported strong earnings, other data indicated potential weakening in manufacturing. Elsewhere in the world, major markets enjoyed positive returns spurred by accommodative monetary policies from major central banks and signs of improvement in some struggling economies.

 

 

 

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


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Letter to shareholders (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     3   

U.S. large caps experienced challenges during the second quarter of 2015.

The S&P 500 Index fluctuated widely during this quarter, eventually eking out a 0.28% gain for the period. Larger-cap stocks at times were pressured by ongoing investor concerns over the potentially negative effects of financially troubled overseas economies and the strengthening U.S. dollar. The U.S. economy picked up traction during the quarter; consumer spending improved, and positive trends were evident in construction and new-home sales. Jobs growth remained a bright spot as well. Fed officials, who have kept interest rates low while waiting for the U.S. jobs market to sufficiently improve and for inflation to approach their 2% target, made clear that they could take action soon. Throughout the quarter, markets outside the U.S. continued to experience volatility, triggered by uncertainty over the potential impact of financial challenges in other locations—most notably in Greece and Puerto Rico. Questions over slower growth in China caused investor concern as well.

July 2015 brought a bounce-back for U.S. large caps.

U.S. large-cap stocks delivered 2.10% for the month (as measured by the S&P 500 Index). The boost was supported by encouraging U.S. economic data, including positive earnings reports from a range of U.S. companies, increased retail spending by U.S. consumers, and further improvement in the jobs market.

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

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

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

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Karla M. Rabusch

President

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

 

 

We encourage investors to know their investments and to understand that appropriate levels of risk-taking may unlock opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

Notice to shareholders

At a meeting held on August 11–12, 2015, the Board of Trustees of the Fund approved a change in the name of the Fund whereby the word “Advantage” will be removed from its name, effective December 15, 2015.

 

For current information about your fund investments, contact your investment professional, visit our website at wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com, or call us directly at 1-800-222-8222. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.


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4   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

Investment objective

The Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation.

Manager

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC

Subadviser

Wells Capital Management Incorporated

Portfolio managers

Joseph M. Eberhardy, CFA, CPA

Thomas C. Ognar, CFA

Bruce C. Olson, CFA

Average annual total returns1 (%) as of July 31, 2015

 

        Including sales charge     Excluding sales charge     Expense ratios2 (%)  
    Inception date   1 year     5 year     10 year     1 year     5 year     10 year     Gross     Net3  
Class A (EKJAX)   1-20-1998     6.92        15.58        9.37        13.46        16.95        10.01        1.12        1.11   
Class B (EKJBX)*   9-11-1935     7.61        15.84        9.45        12.61        16.06        9.45        1.87        1.86   
Class C (EKJCX)   1-22-1998     11.65        16.08        9.21        12.65        16.08        9.21        1.87        1.86   
Class R4 (EKJRX)   11-30-2012                          13.82        17.34        10.34        0.84        0.80   
Class R6 (EKJFX)   11-30-2012                          14.00        17.44        10.39        0.69        0.65   
Administrator Class (WFPDX)   7-16-2010                          13.73        17.15        10.14        1.04        0.95   
Institutional Class (EKJYX)   6-30-1999                          14.01        17.43        10.38        0.79        0.70   
Investor Class (WFPNX)   7-16-2010                          13.44        16.88        9.94        1.23        1.18   
Russell 1000® Growth Index4                            16.08        17.75        8.95                 
*   Class B shares are closed to investment, except in connection with the reinvestment of any distributions and permitted exchanges.

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

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

For Class A shares, the maximum front-end sales charge is 5.75%. For Class B shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 5.00%. For Class C shares, the maximum contingent deferred sales charge is 1.00%. Performance including a contingent deferred sales charge assumes the sales charge for the corresponding time period. Class R4, Class R6, Administrator Class, Institutional Class, and Investor Class shares are sold without a front-end sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge.

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

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


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Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     5   
Growth of $10,000 investment5 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

 

 

1  Historical performance shown for Class R4 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Institutional Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to Class R4 shares. Historical performance shown for Class R6 shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Institutional Class shares, and includes the higher expenses applicable to Institutional Class shares. If these expenses had not been included, returns would be higher. Historical performance shown for Administrator Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Institutional Class shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to Administrator Class shares. Historical performance shown for Investor Class shares prior to their inception reflects the performance of Class A shares, adjusted to reflect the higher expenses applicable to Investor Class shares. Historical performance shown for all classes of the Fund prior to July 19, 2010, is based on the performance of the Fund’s predecessor, Evergreen Large Company Growth Fund.

 

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

 

3  The manager has contractually committed through November 30, 2016 (November 30, 2015 for Administrator Class), to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver at the amounts shown. After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Brokerage commissions, stamp duty fees, interest, taxes, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses are excluded from the cap. Without this cap, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.

 

4  The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 1000 Index companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

5  The chart compares the performance of Class A shares for the most recent ten years with the Russell 1000 Growth Index. The chart assumes a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A shares and reflects all operating expenses and assumes the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

 

6  The ten largest holdings, excluding cash and cash equivalents, are calculated based on the value of the investments divided by total net assets of the Fund. Holdings are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.

 

7  Amounts are calculated based on the total long-term investments of the Fund. These amounts are subject to change and may have changed since the date specified.


Table of Contents

 

6   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Performance highlights (unaudited)

MANAGER’S DISCUSSION

Fund highlights

n   The Fund underperformed its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index, for the 12-month period that ended July 31, 2015.

 

n   The period’s steep decline in the prices of energy commodities negatively affected many of the Fund’s holdings within the energy sector along with its railroad holdings in the industrials sector.

 

n   The Fund benefited from favorable stock selection within the health care and consumer discretionary sectors.

Growth stocks exhibited strength over the 12-month period, as evidenced by the Russell 1000 Growth Index’s 16.08% return.

Corporate earnings growth and favorable monetary policy helped drive the impressive results. Strong gains were visible across several market sectors, despite fluctuations in the U.S. economy and ongoing concerns regarding economic conditions outside the U.S. We continued to focus on companies with the potential to thrive in a variety of economic environments through company-specific catalysts.

 

Ten largest holdings6 (%) as of July 31, 2015  

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

     3.59   

Apple Incorporated

     3.13   

Google Incorporated Class A

     2.89   

Facebook Incorporated Class A

     2.65   

Alliance Data Systems Corporation

     2.47   

Dollar Tree Incorporated

     2.26   

Starbucks Corporation

     2.21   

Union Pacific Corporation

     2.18   

Microchip Technology Incorporated

     2.17   

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

     2.02   

Stock selection within the energy and industrials sectors hindered the Fund’s relative performance

Within the energy sector, exploration and production (E&P) holdings, including Pioneer Natural Resources Company, experienced share-price weakness in the midst of a significant decline in crude-oil prices. We recently reduced the Fund’s weighting to the energy sector due to our concern that some E&P companies were moving too quickly to ramp up production in light of the low expectations for crude-oil and natural gas prices. Within the industrials sector, the Fund’s railroad holdings suffered overall from declining transportation volumes in areas such as coal and from items related to energy infrastructure. Railroads continue to be challenged by lower-than-expected volumes

 

driven primarily by decreased demand for coal. Although our long-term thesis—predicated on cost efficiencies, diversified product mixes, and pricing power—remains intact, we trimmed the sizes of some positions as a risk adjustment while we work through these transitory issues.

 

Sector distribution7 as of July 31, 2015
LOGO

The Fund benefited from solid performance by holdings with strong secular growth in the health care and consumer discretionary sectors.

Strong gains from biotechnology holdings boosted relative performance in the health care sector. Key contributors benefited from multiple catalysts, including strong sales growth of existing medical solutions, promising pipeline developments, FDA drug approvals, and favorable merger and acquisition activity. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, the Fund’s top contributor in biotechnology, delivered strong sales growth and received approval for an additional application of EYLEA, its key medical solution, for treating diabetic macular edema. Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, also performed well, driven by progress in its

 

pipeline and strong sales of its drug Soliris for multiple applications. Biotechnology continues to be the largest industry overweight in the Fund. Many Fund holdings within this industry have been trading at attractive valuations given the growth they could generate in coming years. The Fund generated outperformance in the consumer discretionary sector as well, due partly to Dollar Tree Incorporated, and Tractor Supply Company. Dollar Tree benefited from same-store sales growth, an increased store count, and anticipated synergies from its pending acquisition of Family Dollar Stores Incorporated. Tractor Supply advanced 50% during the period, driven by strong customer demand for its differentiated product offerings.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


Table of Contents

 

Performance highlights (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     7   

Our outlook remains positive.

We believe the Fed is likely to exercise prudence in raising interest rates, taking relevant factors into consideration in making these decisions. Given the U.S. dollar’s current strength relative to other currencies and the low-interest-rate environment in much of the world, we anticipate that any rate increases implemented in the U.S. likely will be accompanied by meaningful expansion in the U.S. economy. Growth stocks tend to be challenged in a rising-interest-rate environment; however, given many investors’ pervasive thirst for dividend yield at times over the past few years, we believe a measured rise in interest rates could lead investors to continue refocusing on companies with strong growth fundamentals, which could be a positive for the Fund.

We continue to feel comfortable with the valuations of the rapidly growing companies within the Fund relative to the valuations of their slower-growing counterparts. Holdings in a variety of sectors have either met or exceeded consensus expectations. For example, data analytics and security holdings within the information technology sector have continued to deliver strong results. Also within this sector, companies using cloud-based architecture to create efficiencies for businesses through online service platforms have added value as many firms have adopted new technology infrastructures. Overall, many of the Fund’s holdings have been trading at valuations close to their average historical levels and remain attractive to us relative to the rest of the market.

Going forward, investors may further recognize the growth potential of the Fund’s holdings and reward them accordingly, especially as higher interest rates make slower-growing, higher-dividend-yielding stocks less attractive. We believe our investment style—seeking robust growth companies with sustainable business models that are underappreciated by investors—positions us well to take advantage of future opportunities within the market.

 

 

Please see footnotes on page 5.


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8   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Fund expenses (unaudited)

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

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period from February 1, 2015 to July 31, 2015.

Actual expenses

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

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes

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

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

 

     Beginning
account value
2-1-2015
     Ending
account value
7-31-2015
     Expenses
paid during
the period1
     Net annualized
expense ratio
 

Class A

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,079.58       $ 5.77         1.12

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,019.24       $ 5.61         1.12

Class B

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,075.19       $ 9.62         1.87

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,015.52       $ 9.35         1.87

Class C

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,075.36       $ 9.62         1.87

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,015.52       $ 9.35         1.87

Class R4

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,080.94       $ 4.13         0.80

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,020.83       $ 4.01         0.80

Class R6

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,082.03       $ 3.36         0.65

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,021.57       $ 3.26         0.65

Administrator Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,081.03       $ 4.90         0.95

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,020.08       $ 4.76         0.95

Institutional Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,082.08       $ 3.61         0.70

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,021.32       $ 3.51         0.70

Investor Class

           

Actual

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,079.17       $ 6.08         1.18

Hypothetical (5% return before expenses)

   $ 1,000.00       $ 1,018.94       $ 5.91         1.18

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     9   

    

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  

Common Stocks: 98.49%

          

Consumer Discretionary: 23.46%

          
Auto Components: 0.95%           

BorgWarner Incorporated

          175,360       $ 8,717,146   

Delphi Automotive plc

          551,690         43,075,955   
             51,793,101   
          

 

 

 
Distributors: 1.37%           

LKQ Corporation †

          2,392,620         75,271,825   
          

 

 

 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 5.44%           

Chipotle Mexican Grill Incorporated †

          111,010         82,394,952   

Hilton Worldwide Holdings Incorporated †

          2,412,500         64,775,625   

Starbucks Corporation

          2,090,080         121,078,334   

Yum! Brands Incorporated

          336,000         29,487,360   
             297,736,271   
          

 

 

 
Internet & Catalog Retail: 2.12%           

Amazon.com Incorporated †

          205,050         109,937,558   

The Priceline Group Incorporated †

          4,838         6,016,392   
             115,953,950   
          

 

 

 
Media: 3.32%           

Charter Communication Incorporated Class A «†

          141,300         26,262,018   

Comcast Corporation Class A

          843,500         52,642,835   

The Walt Disney Company

          858,300         102,996,000   
             181,900,853   
          

 

 

 
Multiline Retail: 3.37%           

Dollar General Corporation

          761,000         61,161,570   

Dollar Tree Incorporated †

          1,584,210         123,615,906   
             184,777,476   
          

 

 

 
Specialty Retail: 4.37%           

CarMax Incorporated †

          1,438,790         92,816,343   

The TJX Companies Incorporated

          667,700         46,618,814   

Tractor Supply Company

          1,080,680         99,984,514   
             239,419,671   
          

 

 

 
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 2.52%           

HanesBrands Incorporated

          239,000         7,416,170   

Nike Incorporated Class B

          442,790         51,018,264   

Under Armour Incorporated Class A †

          611,320         60,722,416   

VF Corporation

          242,700         18,709,743   
             137,866,593   
          

 

 

 

Consumer Staples: 5.13%

          
Beverages: 0.80%           

The Coca-Cola Company

          1,068,600         43,898,088   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

10   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

    

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Food & Staples Retailing: 3.06%           

Costco Wholesale Corporation

          395,090       $ 57,406,577   

CVS Health Corporation

          505,400         56,842,338   

Sprouts Farmers Market Incorporated †

          2,179,332         53,437,221   
             167,686,136   
          

 

 

 
Food Products: 0.03%           

Blue Buffalo Pet Products Incorporated †

          57,336         1,601,968   
          

 

 

 
Household Products: 0.40%           

Colgate-Palmolive Company

          324,400         22,065,688   
          

 

 

 
Personal Products: 0.84%           

The Estee Lauder Companies Incorporated Class A

          516,090         45,988,780   
          

 

 

 

Energy: 1.76%

          
Energy Equipment & Services: 0.23%           

Schlumberger Limited

          152,870         12,660,693   
          

 

 

 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.53%           

Concho Resources Incorporated †

          631,410         67,283,050   

EOG Resources Incorporated

          51,000         3,936,690   

Pioneer Natural Resources Company

          97,870         12,406,980   
             83,626,720   
          

 

 

 

Financials: 4.39%

          
Capital Markets: 2.84%           

Ameriprise Financial Incorporated

          408,320         51,313,574   

TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation

          2,839,100         104,280,143   
             155,593,717   
          

 

 

 
Consumer Finance: 0.80%           

Discover Financial Services

          790,190         44,100,504   
          

 

 

 
REITs: 0.75%           

American Tower Corporation

          431,600         41,049,476   
          

 

 

 

Health Care: 21.59%

          
Biotechnology: 11.20%           

Alexion Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          995,000         196,452,800   

Biogen Incorporated †

          171,240         54,587,887   

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Incorporated †

          174,150         25,472,921   

Celgene Corporation †

          648,118         85,065,488   

Gilead Sciences Incorporated

          632,130         74,502,842   

Incyte Corporation †

          266,000         27,738,480   

Medivation Incorporated †

          369,200         38,887,836   

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Incorporated †

          199,830         110,637,878   
             613,346,132   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     11   

    

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 1.57%           

Intuitive Surgical Incorporated †

          39,900       $ 21,273,483   

Medtronic plc

          826,002         64,750,297   
             86,023,780   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Providers & Services: 2.83%           

AmerisourceBergen Corporation

          713,600         75,463,200   

Envision Healthcare Holdings Incorporated †

          1,174,104         52,599,859   

McKesson Corporation

          120,700         26,622,799   
             154,685,858   
          

 

 

 
Health Care Technology: 1.44%           

Cerner Corporation †

          987,840         70,847,885   

Inovalon Holdings Incorporated Ǡ

          333,049         8,046,464   
             78,894,349   
          

 

 

 
Life Sciences Tools & Services: 1.63%           

Mettler-Toledo International Incorporated †

          154,920         52,300,992   

Quintiles Transnational Holdings Incorporated †

          480,897         36,894,418   
             89,195,410   
          

 

 

 
Pharmaceuticals: 2.92%           

Allergan plc †

          324,570         107,481,356   

Perrigo Company plc

          273,980         52,658,956   
             160,140,312   
          

 

 

 

Industrials: 10.26%

          
Aerospace & Defense: 1.29%           

The Boeing Company

          306,260         44,153,504   

United Technologies Corporation

          262,000         26,281,220   
             70,434,724   
          

 

 

 
Air Freight & Logistics: 1.36%           

United Parcel Service Incorporated Class B

          729,640         74,685,950   
          

 

 

 
Airlines: 0.72%           

Southwest Airlines Company

          1,088,860         39,416,732   
          

 

 

 
Commercial Services & Supplies: 0.05%           

Tyco International plc

          73,900         2,807,461   
          

 

 

 
Electrical Equipment: 0.54%           

Rockwell Automation Incorporated

          255,400         29,825,612   
          

 

 

 
Industrial Conglomerates: 0.75%           

Danaher Corporation

          445,630         40,801,883   
          

 

 

 
Road & Rail: 5.25%           

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited

          99,400         15,988,490   

CSX Corporation

          1,569,200         49,084,576   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

12   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015

    

 

 

Security name             Shares      Value  
Road & Rail (continued)           

Kansas City Southern

          590,400       $ 58,561,776   

Norfolk Southern Corporation

          531,540         44,824,768   

Union Pacific Corporation

          1,222,040         119,258,884   
             287,718,494   
          

 

 

 
Trading Companies & Distributors: 0.30%           

W.W. Grainger Incorporated

          71,400         16,329,894   
          

 

 

 

Information Technology: 29.59%

          
Communications Equipment: 1.41%           

Cisco Systems Incorporated

          1,212,100         34,447,882   

F5 Networks Incorporated †

          143,800         19,289,332   

QUALCOMM Incorporated

          362,080         23,314,331   
             77,051,545   
          

 

 

 
Internet Software & Services: 7.84%           

Akamai Technologies Incorporated †

          1,184,910         90,894,446   

Facebook Incorporated Class A †

          1,542,690         145,028,287   

Google Incorporated Class A †

          240,900         158,391,750   

Google Incorporated Class C †

          56,198         35,158,031   
             429,472,514   
          

 

 

 
IT Services: 8.09%           

Accenture plc Class A

          598,200         61,680,402   

Alliance Data Systems Corporation †

          492,780         135,534,211   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation Class A †

          519,000         32,748,900   

MasterCard Incorporated Class A

          1,133,900         110,441,860   

Visa Incorporated Class A

          1,361,460         102,572,396   
             442,977,769   
          

 

 

 
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 4.99%           

ARM Holdings plc ADR

          1,394,500         65,597,280   

Avago Technologies Limited

          193,117         24,166,661   

Broadcom Corporation Class A

          395,800         20,031,438   

Microchip Technology Incorporated

          2,773,770         118,828,307   

Texas Instruments Incorporated

          894,200         44,692,116   
             273,315,802   
          

 

 

 
Software: 4.13%           

Adobe Systems Incorporated †

          528,800         43,356,312   

Microsoft Corporation

          798,600         37,294,620   

Salesforce.com Incorporated †

          581,750         42,642,275   

ServiceNow Incorporated †

          432,600         34,824,300   

Splunk Incorporated †

          505,900         35,382,646   

Tableau Software Incorporated Class A †

          192,254         20,136,684   

VMware Incorporated Class A †

          144,400         12,870,372   
             226,507,209   
          

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Portfolio of investments—July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     13   

    

 

 

Security name               Shares      Value  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 3.13%           

Apple Incorporated

          1,414,060       $ 171,525,478   
          

 

 

 

Materials: 2.31%

          
Chemicals: 2.31%           

Airgas Incorporated

          167,500         17,088,350   

Ecolab Incorporated

          495,500         57,383,855   

Monsanto Company

          121,040         12,332,766   

Praxair Incorporated

          345,800         39,469,609   
             126,274,580   
          

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $3,565,373,677)

             5,394,422,998   
          

 

 

 
     Yield                    
Short-Term Investments: 1.77%           
Investment Companies: 1.77%           

Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (l)(r)(u)

     0.14        33,411,375         33,411,375   

Wells Fargo Advantage Cash Investment Money Market Fund, Select Class (l)(u)

     0.13           63,579,986         63,579,986   

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $96,991,361)

             96,991,361   
          

 

 

 

 

Total investments in securities (Cost $3,662,365,038) *     100.26        5,491,414,359   

Other assets and liabilities, net

    (0.26        (14,367,975
 

 

 

      

 

 

 
Total net assets     100.00      $ 5,477,046,384   
 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-income-earning security

 

« All or a portion of this security is on loan.

 

(l) The security represents an affiliate of the Fund as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

(r) The investment is a non-registered investment vehicle purchased with cash collateral received from securities on loan.

 

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

 

* Cost for federal income tax purposes is $3,668,389,761 and unrealized gains (losses) consists of:

 

Gross unrealized gains

   $ 1,859,439,792   

Gross unrealized losses

     (36,415,194
  

 

 

 

Net unrealized gains

   $ 1,823,024,598   

 

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


Table of Contents

 

14   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Statement of assets and liabilities—July 31, 2015
         

Assets

 

Investments

 

In unaffiliated securities (including $32,289,468 of securities loaned), at value (cost $3,565,373,677)

  $ 5,394,422,998   

In affiliated securities, at value (cost $96,991,361)

    96,991,361   
 

 

 

 

Total investments, at value (cost $3,662,365,038)

    5,491,414,359   

Receivable for investments sold

    62,676,013   

Receivable for Fund shares sold

    4,969,009   

Receivable for dividends

    1,716,396   

Receivable for securities lending income

    16,166   

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    120,225   
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    5,560,912,168   
 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

    41,206,648   

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

    4,223,529   

Payable upon receipt of securities loaned

    33,411,375   

Management fee payable

    2,925,860   

Distribution fees payable

    262,930   

Administration fees payable

    848,127   

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

    987,315   
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    83,865,784   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 5,477,046,384   
 

 

 

 

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF

 

Paid-in capital

  $ 3,484,047,113   

Accumulated net investment loss

    (2,789,149

Accumulated net realized gains on investments

    166,739,099   

Net unrealized gains on investments

    1,829,049,321   
 

 

 

 

Total net assets

  $ 5,477,046,384   
 

 

 

 

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE AND OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE

 

Net assets – Class A

  $ 2,280,107,363   

Shares outstanding – Class A1

    140,051,663   

Net asset value per share – Class A

    $16.28   

Maximum offering price per share – Class A2

    $17.27   

Net assets – Class B

  $ 2,170,414   

Shares outstanding – Class B1

    151,739   

Net asset value per share – Class B

    $14.30   

Net assets – Class C

  $ 388,289,723   

Shares outstanding – Class C1

    27,209,910   

Net asset value per share – Class C

    $14.27   

Net assets – Class R4

  $ 2,128,866   

Share outstanding – Class R41

    128,555   

Net asset value per share – Class R4

    $16.56   

Net assets – Class R6

  $ 166,768,433   

Shares outstanding – Class R61

    10,035,911   

Net asset value per share – Class R6

    $16.62   

Net assets – Administrator Class

  $ 1,129,969,525   

Shares outstanding – Administrator Class1

    68,879,049   

Net asset value per share – Administrator Class

    $16.41   

Net assets – Institutional Class

  $ 1,313,280,806   

Shares outstanding – Institutional Class1

    79,076,697   

Net asset value per share – Institutional Class

    $16.61   

Net assets – Investor Class

  $ 194,331,254   

Shares outstanding – Investor Class1

    11,983,038   

Net asset value per share – Investor Class

    $16.22   

 

 

1  The Fund has an unlimited number of authorized shares.

 

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

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Statement of operations—year ended July 31, 2015   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     15   
         

Investment income

 

Dividends (net of foreign withholding taxes of $15,353)

  $ 49,818,357   

Securities lending income, net

    139,973   

Income from affiliated securities

    49,777   
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    50,008,107   
 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

Management fee

    33,937,139   

Administration fees

 

Class A

    5,379,918   

Class B

    7,947   

Class C

    1,004,194   

Class R4

    1,581   

Class R6

    50,143   

Administrator Class

    1,298,571   

Institutional Class

    1,024,502   

Investor Class

    636,379   

Shareholder servicing fees

 

Class A

    5,271,115   

Class B

    7,736   

Class C

    982,331   

Class R4

    1,977   

Administrator Class

    3,134,024   

Investor Class

    494,472   

Distribution fees

 

Class B

    23,208   

Class C

    2,946,993   

Custody and accounting fees

    273,347   

Professional fees

    56,903   

Registration fees

    274,883   

Shareholder report expenses

    290,180   

Trustees’ fees and expenses

    13,252   

Other fees and expenses

    78,520   
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    57,189,315   

Less: Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements

    (2,248,768
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    54,940,547   
 

 

 

 

Net investment loss

    (4,932,440
 

 

 

 

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS

 

Net realized gains on investments

    217,385,650   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    456,933,003   
 

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    674,318,653   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 669,386,213   
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

16   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Statement of changes in net assets
    

Year ended

July 31, 2015

   

Year ended

July 31, 2014

 

Operations

       

Net investment loss

    $ (4,932,440     $ (12,002,037

Net realized gains on investments

      217,385,650          131,365,067   

Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments

      456,933,003          546,350,666   
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

      669,386,213          665,713,696   
 

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders from

       

Net realized gains

       

Class A

      (25,289,106       0   

Class B

      (52,310       0   

Class C

      (6,075,432       0   

Class R4

      (26,355       0   

Class R6

      (2,294,051       0   

Administrator Class

      (17,637,288       0   

Institutional Class

      (16,043,030       0   

Investor Class

      (2,767,968       0   
 

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

      (70,185,540       0   
 

 

 

 

Capital share transactions

    Shares          Shares     

Proceeds from shares sold

       

Class A

    44,287,833        683,559,842        42,606,662        593,794,550   

Class B

    4,474        61,128        27,890        341,694   

Class C

    4,631,916        62,766,733        8,601,633        106,017,995   

Class R4

    89,416        1,331,780        41,808        609,423   

Class R6

    1,160,674        18,210,412        12,608,190        170,307,516   

Administrator Class

    11,745,864        181,283,260        73,161,085        1,038,797,296   

Institutional Class

    26,787,602        422,028,125        34,278,958        482,686,241   

Investor Class

    1,217,432        18,676,165        3,565,063        49,308,160   
 

 

 

 
      1,387,917,445          2,441,862,875   
 

 

 

 

Reinvestment of distributions

       

Class A

    1,553,406        23,409,833        0        0   

Class B

    3,219        42,848        0        0   

Class C

    333,914        4,431,032        0        0   

Class R4

    1,723        26,355        0        0   

Class R6

    141,900        2,176,746        0        0   

Administrator Class

    1,033,233        15,674,143        0        0   

Institutional Class

    854,382        13,097,671        0        0   

Investor Class

    181,619        2,727,921        0        0   
 

 

 

 
      61,586,549          0   
 

 

 

 

Payment for shares redeemed

       

Class A

    (36,977,346     (568,178,692     (32,025,660     (452,294,693

Class B

    (166,018     (2,261,194     (219,715     (2,727,974

Class C

    (6,821,898     (93,243,358     (4,454,199     (55,420,848

Class R4

    (14,450     (227,033     (265     (3,714

Class R6

    (2,357,872     (37,477,435     (1,881,186     (26,918,328

Administrator Class

    (34,510,354     (539,756,076     (33,287,121     (466,226,494

Institutional Class

    (18,413,561     (290,307,468     (69,016,664     (995,396,571

Investor Class

    (3,060,955     (47,139,147     (2,225,843     (30,843,706
 

 

 

 
      (1,578,590,403       (2,029,832,328
 

 

 

 

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

      (129,086,409       412,030,547   
 

 

 

 

Total increase in net assets

      470,114,264          1,077,744,243   
 

 

 

 

Net assets

       

Beginning of period

      5,006,932,120          3,929,187,877   
 

 

 

 

End of period

    $ 5,477,046,384        $ 5,006,932,120   
 

 

 

 

Accumulated net investment loss

    $ (2,789,149     $ (9,496,890
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     17   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS A   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.55        $12.57        $10.21        $9.89        $7.75   

Net investment loss

    (0.03     (0.05     (0.02     (0.03 )1      (0.01

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.97        2.03        2.38        0.60        2.15   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.94        1.98        2.36        0.57        2.14   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        (0.00 )2 

Net realized gains

    (0.21     0.00        0.00        (0.25     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.21     0.00        0.00        (0.25     (0.00 )2 

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.28        $14.55        $12.57        $10.21        $9.89   

Total return3

    13.46     15.75     23.11     6.08     27.55

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.16     1.17     1.19     1.23     1.24

Net expenses

    1.12     1.12     1.12     1.12     1.12

Net investment loss

    (0.18 )%      (0.36 )%      (0.15 )%      (0.30 )%      (0.13 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    44     37     32     51     65

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $2,280,107        $1,908,455        $1,515,862        $932,106        $620,262   

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Amount is less than $0.005.

 

3  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

18   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS B   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.90        $11.23        $9.19        $8.99        $7.10   

Net investment loss

    (0.13 )1      (0.13 )1      (0.09 )1      (0.09 )1      (0.07 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.74        1.80        2.13        0.54        1.96   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.61        1.67        2.04        0.45        1.89   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (0.21     0.00        0.00        (0.25     0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.30        $12.90        $11.23        $9.19        $8.99   

Total return2

    12.61     14.87     22.20     5.22     26.62

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.91     1.91     1.94     1.97     2.00

Net expenses

    1.87     1.87     1.87     1.87     1.87

Net investment loss

    (0.92 )%      (1.09 )%      (0.87 )%      (1.04 )%      (0.85 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    44     37     32     51     65

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $2,170        $4,001        $5,637        $6,962        $10,244   

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     19   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS C   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $12.87        $11.20        $9.17        $8.97        $7.08   

Net investment loss

    (0.13 )1      (0.14 )1      (0.09 )1      (0.10 )1      (0.08 )1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.74        1.81        2.12        0.55        1.97   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.61        1.67        2.03        0.45        1.89   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net realized gains

    (0.21     0.00        0.00        (0.25     0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $14.27        $12.87        $11.20        $9.17        $8.97   

Total return2

    12.65     14.91     22.14     5.24     26.69

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.91     1.92     1.94     1.98     1.99

Net expenses

    1.87     1.87     1.87     1.87     1.87

Net investment loss

    (0.93 )%      (1.11 )%      (0.91 )%      (1.07 )%      (0.90 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    44     37     32     51     65

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $388,290        $374,136        $279,203        $129,980        $35,783   

 

 

1  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

2  Total return calculations do not include any sales charges.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

20   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS R4   2015     2014     20131  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.75        $12.70        $10.81   

Net investment income (loss)

    0.02        (0.01     0.00 2 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.00        2.06        1.89   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.02        2.05        1.89   

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net realized gains

    (0.21     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.56        $14.75        $12.70   

Total return3

    13.82     16.14     17.48

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

     

Gross expenses

    0.83     0.84     0.85

Net expenses

    0.80     0.80     0.80

Net investment income (loss)

    0.13     (0.11 )%      0.06

Supplemental data

     

Portfolio turnover rate

    44     37     32

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $2,129        $765        $131   

 

 

 

 

1  For the period from November 30, 2012 (commencement of class operations) to July 31, 2013

 

2  Amount is less than $0.005.

 

3  Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     21   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
CLASS R6   2015     2014     20131  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.77        $12.71        $10.81   

Net investment income

    0.05        0.01        0.00 2 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.01        2.05        1.90   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.06        2.06        1.90   

Distributions to shareholders from

     

Net realized gains

    (0.21     0.00        0.00   

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.62        $14.77        $12.71   

Total return3

    14.00     16.29     17.58

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

     

Gross expenses

    0.68     0.69     0.71

Net expenses

    0.65     0.65     0.65

Net investment income

    0.29     0.09     0.05

Supplemental data

     

Portfolio turnover rate

    44     37     32

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $166,768        $163,871        $4,629   

 

 

 

 

1  For the period from November 30, 2012 (commencement of class operations) to July 31, 2013

 

2  Amount is less than $0.005.

 

3  Returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

22   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
ADMINISTRATOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.63        $12.62        $10.24        $9.90        $7.75   

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.00 )1      (0.02     (0.00 )1      (0.02     0.00 1 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.99        2.03        2.38        0.61        2.16   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.99        2.01        2.38        0.59        2.16   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        (0.01

Net realized gains

    (0.21     0.00        0.00        (0.25     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.21     0.00        0.00        (0.25     (0.01

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.41        $14.63        $12.62        $10.24        $9.90   

Total return

    13.73     15.93     23.24     6.28     27.75

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.00     1.00     1.04     1.07     1.08

Net expenses

    0.95     0.95     0.95     0.95     0.95

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.01 )%      (0.19 )%      (0.01 )%      (0.16 )%      0.01

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    44     37     32     51     65

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $1,129,970        $1,325,864        $640,494        $251,759        $54,335   

 

 

 

 

1  Amount is less than $0.005.

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Financial highlights   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     23   

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.77        $12.71        $10.28        $9.91        $7.75   

Net investment income

    0.03        0.01 2      0.00 1      0.00 1,2      0.02 2 

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    2.02        2.05        2.43        0.62        2.15   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    2.05        2.06        2.43        0.62        2.17   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        (0.01

Net realized gains

    (0.21     0.00        0.00        (0.25     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.21     0.00        0.00        (0.25     (0.01

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.61        $14.77        $12.71        $10.28        $9.91   

Total return

    14.01     16.21     23.64     6.48     28.03

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    0.74     0.74     0.76     0.79     0.81

Net expenses

    0.70     0.70     0.71     0.75     0.75

Net investment income

    0.23     0.07     0.16     0.04     0.22

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    44     37     32     51     65

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $1,313,281        $1,031,979        $1,328,994        $223,616        $30,493   

 

 

 

 

1  Amount is less than $0.005.

 

2  Calculated based upon average shares outstanding

 

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


Table of Contents

 

24   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Financial highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout each period)

 

    Year ended July 31  
INVESTOR CLASS   2015     2014     2013     2012     2011  

Net asset value, beginning of period

    $14.50        $12.53        $10.19        $9.87        $7.75   

Net investment loss

    (0.05     (0.05     (0.02     (0.03     (0.02

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments

    1.98        2.02        2.36        0.60        2.15   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total from investment operations

    1.93        1.97        2.34        0.57        2.13   

Distributions to shareholders from

         

Net investment income

    0.00        0.00        0.00        0.00        (0.01

Net realized gains

    (0.21     0.00        0.00        (0.25     0.00   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.21     0.00        0.00        (0.25     (0.01

Net asset value, end of period

    $16.22        $14.50        $12.53        $10.19        $9.87   

Total return

    13.44     15.72     22.96     5.99     27.48

Ratios to average net assets (annualized)

         

Gross expenses

    1.22     1.23     1.25     1.29     1.31

Net expenses

    1.18     1.18     1.18     1.19     1.19

Net investment loss

    (0.24 )%      (0.42 )%      (0.21 )%      (0.37 )%      (0.20 )% 

Supplemental data

         

Portfolio turnover rate

    44     37     32     51     65

Net assets, end of period (000s omitted)

    $194,331        $197,861        $154,238        $99,675        $79,464   

 

 

 

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


Table of Contents

 

Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     25   

1. ORGANIZATION

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

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

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

Securities valuation

All investments are valued each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m. Eastern Time).

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

Equity securities that are not listed on a foreign or domestic exchange or market, but have a public trading market, are valued at the quoted bid price from an independent broker-dealer that the Management Valuation Team of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”) has determined is an acceptable source.

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

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

Valuations of fair valued securities are compared to the next actual sales price when available, or other appropriate market values, to assess the continued appropriateness of the fair valuation methodologies used. These securities are fair valued on a day-to-day basis, taking into consideration changes to appropriate market information and any significant changes to the inputs considered in the valuation process until there is a readily available price provided on an exchange or by an independent pricing service. Valuations received from an independent pricing service or independent broker-dealer quotes are periodically validated by comparisons to most recent trades and valuations provided by other independent pricing services in addition to the review of prices by the manager and/or subadviser. Unobservable inputs used in determining fair valuations are identified based on the type of security, taking into consideration factors utilized by market participants in valuing the investment, knowledge about the issuer and the current market environment.

Security loans

The Fund may lend its securities from time to time in order to earn additional income in the form of fees or interest on securities received as collateral or the investment of any cash received as collateral. The Fund continues to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The Fund receives collateral in the form of cash or securities with a value at least equal to the value of the securities on loan. The value of the loaned securities is determined at the close of each business day and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. In a securities lending transaction, the net asset value of the Fund will be affected by an increase or decrease in the value of the securities loaned and by an increase or decrease in the value of the instrument in which collateral is invested. The amount of securities lending activity undertaken by the Fund fluctuates from time to time. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the borrower, the Fund may be prevented from recovering the loaned securities or gaining access to the collateral or


Table of Contents

 

26   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Notes to financial statements

may experience delays or costs in doing so. In addition, the investment of any cash collateral received may lose all or part of its value. The Fund has the right under the lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.

The Fund lends its securities through an unaffiliated securities lending agent. Cash collateral received in connection with its securities lending transactions is invested in Securities Lending Cash Investments, LLC (the “Securities Lending Fund”). The Securities Lending Fund is exempt from registration under Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act and is managed by Funds Management and is subadvised by Wells Capital Management Incorporated (“WellsCap”). Funds Management receives an advisory fee starting at 0.05% and declining to 0.01% as the average daily net assets of the Securities Lending Fund increase. All of the fees received by Funds Management are paid to WellsCap for its services as subadviser. The Securities Lending Fund seeks to provide a positive return compared to the daily Fed Funds Open rate by investing in high-quality, U.S. dollar-denominated short-term money market instruments. Securities Lending Fund investments are fair valued based upon the amortized cost valuation technique. Income earned from investment in the Securities Lending Fund is included in securities lending income on the Statement of Operations.

Security transactions and income recognition

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

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

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Such distributions are determined in conformity with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Federal and other taxes

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

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

Reclassifications are made to the Fund’s capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under federal income tax regulations. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that certain components of net assets be adjusted to reflect permanent differences between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or net asset values per share. The primary permanent difference causing such reclassifications is due to net operating losses. At July 31, 2015, as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, the following reclassification adjustments were made on the Statement of Assets and

 

Paid-in capital    Accumulated net
investment loss
   Accumulated net
realized gains
on investments
$(12,185,899)    $11,640,181    $545,718

As of July 31, 2015, the Fund had capital loss carryforwards available to offset future net realized capital gains in the amount of $24,607,476 with $6,388,000 expiring in 2016 and $18,219,476 expiring in 2017.

As of July 31, 2015, the Fund had a qualified late-year ordinary loss of $2,767,595 which will be recognized on the first day of the following fiscal year.

Class allocations

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


Table of Contents

 

Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     27   

3. FAIR VALUATION MEASUREMENTS

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

 

n   Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

 

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

 

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

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

The following is a summary of the inputs used in valuing the Fund’s assets and liabilities as of July 31, 2015:

 

     Quoted prices
(Level 1)
     Other significant
observable inputs
(Level 2)
     Significant
unobservable inputs
(Level 3)
     Total  

Assets

           

Investments in :

           

Common stocks

           

Consumer discretionary

   $ 1,284,719,740       $ 0       $ 0       $ 1,284,719,740   

Consumer staples

     281,240,660         0         0         281,240,660   

Energy

     96,287,413         0         0         96,287,413   

Financials

     240,743,697         0         0         240,743,697   

Health care

     1,182,285,841         0         0         1,182,285,841   

Industrials

     562,020,750         0         0         562,020,750   

Information technology

     1,620,850,317         0         0         1,620,850,317   

Materials

     126,274,580         0         0         126,274,580   

Short-term investments

           

Investment companies

     63,579,986         33,411,375         0         96,991,361   

Total assets

   $ 5,458,002,984       $ 33,411,375       $ 0       $ 5,491,414,359   

The Fund recognizes transfers between levels within the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period. At July 31, 2015, the Fund did not have any transfers into/out of Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.

4. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Management fee

Funds Management, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company (“Wells Fargo”), is the manager of the Fund and provides advisory and fund-level administrative services under an investment management agreement. Under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is responsible for, among other services, implementing the investment objectives and strategies of the Fund, supervising the applicable subadviser, providing fund-level administrative services in connection with the Fund’s operations, and providing any other fund-level administrative services reasonably necessary for the operation of the Fund. As compensation for its services under the investment management agreement, Funds Management is entitled to receive an annual management fee starting at 0.70% and declining to 0.505% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Prior to July 1, 2015, Funds Management provided advisory services pursuant to an investment advisory agreement. For the period from December 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, Funds Management was entitled to receive an annual fee which started at 0.65% and declined to 0.475% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. From August 1, 2014 through November 30, 2014, Funds Management received an annual advisory fee which started at 0.65% and declined to


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28   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Notes to financial statements

0.55% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. In addition, prior to July 1, 2015, fund-level administrative services were provided by Funds Management under a separate administration agreement at an annual fee which started at 0.05% and declined to 0.03% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increased. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the management fee was equivalent to an annual rate of 0.63% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For financial statement purposes, advisory fees and fund-level administration fees for the year ended July 31, 2015 have been included in management fee on the Statement of Operations.

Funds Management has retained the services of a subadviser to provide daily portfolio management to the Fund. The fee for subadvisory services is borne by Funds Management. WellsCap, an affiliate of Funds Management and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo, is the subadviser to the Fund and is entitled to receive a fee from Funds Management at an annual rate starting at 0.35% and declining to 0.275% as the average daily net assets of the Fund increase.

Administration fees

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

 

     Class-level administration fee  
     Current rate        Rate prior to
July 1, 2015
 

Class A, Class B, Class C

     0.21        0.26

Class R4

     0.08           0.08   

Class R6

     0.03           0.03   

Administrator Class

     0.13           0.10   

Institutional Class

     0.13           0.08   

Investor Class

     0.32           0.32   

Funds Management has contractually waived and/or reimbursed management and administration fees to the extent necessary to maintain certain net operating expense ratios for the Fund. Waiver of fees and/or reimbursement of expenses by Funds Management were made first from fund level expenses on a proportionate basis and then from class specific expenses. Funds Management has committed to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses to the extent necessary to cap expenses as follows:

 

     Expense ratio cap      Expiration date

Class A

   1.11%      November 30, 2016

Class B

   1.86%      November 30, 2016

Class C

   1.86%      November 30, 2016

Class R4

   0.80%      November 30, 2016

Class R6

   0.65%      November 30, 2016

Administrator Class

   0.95%      November 30, 2015

Institutional Class

   0.70%      November 30, 2016

Investor Class

   1.18%      November 30, 2016

After this time, the cap may be increased or the commitment to maintain the cap may be terminated only with the approval of the Board of Trustees. Prior to July 1, 2015, the Fund’s expenses were capped at 1.12% for Class A shares, 1.87% for Class B shares, and 1.87% for Class C shares.

Distribution fees

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


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Notes to financial statements   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     29   

In addition, Funds Distributor is entitled to receive the front-end sales charge from the purchase of Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge on the redemption of certain Class A shares. Funds Distributor is also entitled to receive the contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class B and Class C shares. For the year ended July 31, 2015, Funds Distributor received $105,594 from the sale of Class A shares and $35 and $4,688 in contingent deferred sales charges from redemptions of Class B and Class C shares, respectively.

Shareholder servicing fees

The Trust has entered into contracts with one or more shareholder servicing agents, whereby Class A, Class B, Class C, Administrator Class, and Investor Class of the Fund is charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of each respective class. Class R4 shares are charged a fee at an annual rate of 0.10% of its average daily net assets.

A portion of these total shareholder servicing fees were paid to affiliates of Wells Fargo.

5. INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS

Purchases and sales of investments, excluding U.S. government obligations (if any) and short-term securities, for the year ended July 31, 2015 were $2,308,515,980 and $2,520,629,206, respectively.

6. BANK BORROWINGS

The Trust (excluding the money market funds and certain other funds in the Trust) and Wells Fargo Variable Trust are parties to a $150,000,000 revolving credit agreement whereby the Fund is permitted to use bank borrowings for temporary or emergency purposes, such as to fund shareholder redemption requests. Interest under the credit agreement is charged to the Fund based on a borrowing rate equal to the higher of the Federal Funds rate in effect on that day plus 1.25% or the overnight LIBOR rate in effect on that day plus 1.25%. In addition, an annual commitment fee equal to 0.10% of the unused balance is allocated to each participating fund. For the year ended July 31, 2015, the Fund paid $7,729 in commitment fees.

For the year ended July 31, 2015, there were no borrowings by the Fund under the agreement.

7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

The tax character of distributions paid for the year ended July 31, 2015 was $70,185,540 of long-term capital gains. For the year ended July 31, 2014, the Fund did not pay any distributions to shareholders.

As of July 31, 2015, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed
long-term
gain
   Unrealized
gains
   Late-year
ordinary losses
deferred
   Capital loss
carryforward
$197,371,298    $1,823,024,598    $(2,767,595)    $(24,607,476)

8. CONCENTRATION RISK

Concentration risks result from exposure to a limited number of sectors. A fund that invests a substantial portion of its assets in any sector may be more affected by changes in that sector than would be a fund whose investments are not heavily weighted in any sector.

9. INDEMNIFICATION

Under the Trust’s organizational documents, the officers and Trustees have been granted certain indemnification rights against certain liabilities that may arise out of performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Trust may enter into contracts with service providers that contain a variety of indemnification clauses. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on future claims that may be made against the Fund and, therefore, cannot be estimated.


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30   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Report of independent registered public accounting firm

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND SHAREHOLDERS OF WELLS FARGO FUNDS TRUST:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, of the Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund (the “Fund”), one of the funds constituting the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, as of July 31, 2015, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of July 31, 2015, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund as of July 31, 2015, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years or periods in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

LOGO

Boston, Massachusetts

September 23, 2015


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     31   

TAX INFORMATION

Pursuant to Section 852 of the Internal Revenue Code, $70,185,540 was designated as long-term capital gain distributions for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015.

PROXY VOTING INFORMATION

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

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION

The complete portfolio holdings for the Fund are publicly available monthly on the Fund’s website (wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com), on a one-month delayed basis. In addition, top ten holdings information (excluding derivative positions) for the Fund is publicly available on the Fund’s website on a monthly, seven-day or more delayed basis. The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which is available by visiting the SEC website at sec.gov. In addition, the Fund’s Form N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and at regional offices in New York City, at 233 Broadway, and in Chicago, at 175 West Jackson Boulevard, Suite 900. Information about the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.


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32   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

Each of the Trustees and Officers1 listed in the table below acts in identical capacities for each fund in the Wells Fargo Advantage family of funds, which consists of 133 mutual funds comprising the Wells Fargo Funds Trust, Wells Fargo Variable Trust, Wells Fargo Master Trust and four closed-end funds (collectively the “Fund Complex”). This table should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information2. The mailing address of each Trustee and Officer is 525 Market Street, 12th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105. Each Trustee and Officer serves an indefinite term, however, each Trustee serves such term until reaching the mandatory retirement age established by the Trustees.

Independent Trustees

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Other

directorships during
past five years

William R. Ebsworth

(Born 1957)

  Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 1984 to 2013, equities analyst, portfolio manager, research director at Fidelity Management and Research Company and retired in 2013 as Chief Investment Officer of Fidelity Strategic Advisers, Inc. in Boston, Tokyo, and Hong Kong where he led a team of investment professionals managing client assets. Prior thereto, Board member of Hong Kong Securities Clearing Co., Hong Kong Options Clearing Corp., the Thailand International Fund, Ltd., Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company, and Empire Fidelity Investments Life Insurance Company. Mr. Ebsworth is an Adjunct Lecturer, Finance, at Babson College and a Chartered Financial Analyst.   Asset Allocation Trust
Jane A. Freeman (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2015**   Retired. From 2012 to 2014 and 1999 to 2008, Chief Financial Officer of Scientific Learning Corporation. From 2008 to 2012, Ms. Freeman provided consulting services related to strategic business projects. Prior to 1999, Portfolio Manager at Rockefeller & Co. and Scudder, Stevens & Clark. Board member of the Harding Loevner Funds from 1996 to 2014, serving as both Lead Independent Director and chair of the Audit Committee. Board member of the Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust from 2011 to 2012 and the chair of the Audit Committee. Ms. Freeman is a Chartered Financial Analyst (inactive), Chair of Taproot Foundation (non-profit organization) and a Board Member of Ruth Bancroft Garden (non-profit organization).   Asset Allocation Trust
Peter G. Gordon (Born 1942)   Trustee, since 1998; Chairman, since 2005   Co-Founder, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of Crystal Geyser Water Company. Trustee Emeritus, Colby College.   Asset Allocation Trust

Isaiah Harris, Jr.

(Born 1952)

  Trustee, since 2009   Retired. Chairman of the Board of CIGNA Corporation since 2009, and Director since 2005. From 2003 to 2011, Director of Deluxe Corporation. Prior thereto, President and CEO of BellSouth Advertising and Publishing Corp. from 2005 to 2007, President and CEO of BellSouth Enterprises from 2004 to 2005 and President of BellSouth Consumer Services from 2000 to 2003. Emeritus member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Governors. Emeritus Member of the Advisory Board of Iowa State University School of Business. Advisory Board Member, Palm Harbor Academy. Mr. Harris is a certified public accountant.   CIGNA Corporation; Asset Allocation Trust
Judith M. Johnson (Born 1949)  

Trustee, since 2008;

Audit Committee Chairman, since 2008

  Retired. Prior thereto, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1996 to 2008. Ms. Johnson is an attorney, certified public accountant and a certified managerial accountant.   Asset Allocation Trust
David F. Larcker (Born 1950)   Trustee, since 2009   James Irvin Miller Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University, Morgan Stanley Director of the Center for Leadership Development and Research and Senior Faculty of The Rock Center for Corporate Governance since 2006. From 2005 to 2008, Professor of Accounting at the Graduate School of Business, Stanford University. Prior thereto, Ernst & Young Professor of Accounting at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania from 1985 to 2005.   Asset Allocation Trust


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     33   

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service*

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer  

Other

directorships during
past five years

Olivia S. Mitchell (Born 1953)   Trustee, since 2006   International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professor, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania since 1993. Director of Wharton’s Pension Research Council and Boettner Center on Pensions & Retirement Research, and Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. Previously, Cornell University Professor from 1978 to 1993.   Asset Allocation Trust
Timothy J. Penny (Born 1951)   Trustee, since 1996   President and Chief Executive Officer of Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation, a non-profit organization, since 2007 and Senior Fellow at the Humphrey Institute Policy Forum at the University of Minnesota since 1995. Member of the Board of Trustees of NorthStar Education Finance, Inc., a non-profit organization, since 2007.   Asset Allocation Trust
Michael S. Scofield (Born 1943)   Trustee, since 2010   Served on the Investment Company Institute’s Board of Governors and Executive Committee from 2008-2011 as well the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council from 2006-2011 and the Independent Directors Council Executive Committee from 2008-2011. Chairman of the IDC from 2008-2010. Institutional Investor (Fund Directions) Trustee of Year in 2007. Trustee of the Evergreen Funds complex (and its predecessors) from 1984 to 2010. Chairman of the Evergreen Funds from 2000-2010. Former Trustee of the Mentor Funds. Retired Attorney, Law Offices of Michael S. Scofield.   Asset Allocation Trust
Donald C. Willeke (Born 1940)   Trustee, since 1996   Principal of the law firm of Willeke & Daniels. General Counsel of the Minneapolis Employees Retirement Fund from 1984 until its consolidation into the Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association on June 30, 2010. Director and Vice Chair of The Tree Trust (non-profit corporation). Director of the American Chestnut Foundation (non-profit corporation).   Asset Allocation Trust

 

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

 

** William R. Ebsworth and Jane A. Freeman each became a Trustee effective January 1, 2015.

Officers

 

Name and

year of birth

 

Position held and

length of service

  Principal occupations during past five years or longer    
Karla M. Rabusch (Born 1959)   President, since 2003   Executive Vice President of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2003.    
Jeremy DePalma1 (Born 1974)   Treasurer, since 2012   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2009. Senior Vice President of Evergreen Investment Management Company, LLC from 2008 to 2010. Vice President, Evergreen Investment Services, Inc. from 2004 to 2007. Head of the Fund Reporting and Control Team within Fund Administration from 2005 to 2010.    
C. David Messman (Born 1960)  

Secretary, since 2000; Chief Legal Officer,

since 2003

  Senior Vice President and Secretary of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2001. Assistant General Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. since 2013 and Vice President and Managing Counsel of Wells Fargo Bank N.A. from 1996 to 2013.    
Debra Ann Early (Born 1964)   Chief Compliance Officer, since 2007   Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC since 2007 and Chief Compliance Officer from 2007 to 2014. Chief Compliance Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2005 to 2007. Chief Financial Officer of Parnassus Investments from 2004 to 2007 and Senior Audit Manager of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1998 to 2004.    

David Berardi

(Born 1975)

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

 

 

1 Jeremy DePalma acts as Treasurer of 61 funds and Assistant Treasurer of 72 funds in the Fund Complex.

 

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


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34   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

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

Under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) must determine annually whether to approve the continuation of the Trust’s investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements. In this regard, at an in-person meeting held on May 19-20, 2015 (the “Meeting”), the Board, all the members of which have no direct or indirect interest in the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements and are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed and approved for Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund (the “Fund”): (i) an investment advisory agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (“Funds Management”); (ii) an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with Funds Management; and (iii) an investment sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) with Wells Capital Management Incorporated (the “Sub-Adviser”), an affiliate of Funds Management. The Management Agreement combines the terms of the Advisory Agreement with the terms of the Fund’s Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) applicable to Fund-level administrative services. The Advisory Agreement, the Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreement are collectively referred to as the “Advisory Agreements.”

At the Meeting, the Board considered the factors and reached the conclusions described below relating to the selection of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser and the approval of the Advisory Agreements. Prior to the Meeting, including at an in-person meeting in March 2015, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of Funds Management about these matters. Also, the Board has adopted a team-based approach, with each team consisting of a sub-set of Trustees, to assist the full Board in the discharge of its duties in reviewing performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were assisted in their evaluation of the Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.

In providing information to the Board, Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser were guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2015. In considering and approving the Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Meeting, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of Funds Management at each of its quarterly meetings, which included, among other things, portfolio reviews and performance reports. In addition, the Board and the teams mentioned above confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.

After its deliberations, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable. The Board considered the approval of the Advisory Agreements for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the complex, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all, factors considered by the Board in support of its approvals.

Nature, extent and quality of services

The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent and quality of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under the Advisory Agreements. This information included, among other things, a summary of the background and experience of senior management of Funds Management, and the qualifications, background, tenure and responsibilities of each of the portfolio managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Fund. The Board noted that the services to be provided to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement combined the advisory services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Advisory Agreement with the Fund-level administrative services previously provided to the Fund pursuant to the Fund’s Administration Agreement. The Board received a representation from Funds Management that combining these services would not result in any change to the nature or level of services provided by Funds Management to the Fund.

The Board evaluated the ability of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to attract and retain qualified investment professionals, including research, advisory and supervisory personnel. The Board further considered the compliance


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Other information (unaudited)   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     35   

programs and compliance records of Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser. In addition, the Board took into account the full range of services provided to the Fund by Funds Management and its affiliates.

Fund performance and expenses

The Board considered the performance results for the Fund over various time periods ended March 31, 2015. The Board considered these results in comparison to the performance of funds in a universe that was determined by Lipper Inc. (“Lipper”) to be similar to the Fund (the “Universe”), and in comparison to the Fund’s benchmark index and to other comparative data. Lipper is an independent provider of investment company data. The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the performance Universe. The Board noted that the performance of the Fund (Class A) was higher than or in range of the average performance of the Universe for all periods under review except the first quarter of 2015 and the three-year period. The Board also noted that the performance of the Fund was lower than its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index, for all periods under review except the ten-year period.

The Board received information concerning, and discussed factors contributing to, the underperformance of the Fund relative to the Universe and benchmark for the periods noted above. The Board took note of the explanations for the relative underperformance in these periods, including with respect to market factors that affected the Fund’s performance and of longer term outperformance.

The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees (which reflect fee waivers, if any, and include advisory, administration and transfer agent fees), custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 service fees. The Board considered these ratios in comparison to the median ratios of funds in class-specific expense groups that were determined by Lipper to be similar to the Fund (the “Groups”). The Board received a description of the methodology used by Lipper to select the mutual funds in the expense Groups and an explanation of how funds comprising expense groups and their expense ratios may vary from year-to-year. Based on the Lipper reports, the Board noted that the net operating expense ratios of the Fund were lower than or equal to the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups. The Board accepted Funds Management’s proposal to increase the net operating expense ratio caps for the Administrator Class, to decrease the caps for Class A, Class B and Class C, and to convert the Investor Class shares into Class A shares. In accepting such proposed new net operating expense ratio caps, the Board noted that the Fund’s new net operating expense ratios would still be lower than or equal to the median net operating expense ratios of the expense Groups.

The Board took into account the Fund performance and expense information provided to it among the factors considered in deciding to re-approve the Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement and approve the Management Agreement.

Investment advisory and sub-advisory fee rates

The Board reviewed and considered the contractual investment advisory fee rates that are payable by the Fund to Funds Management for investment advisory services (the “Advisory Agreement Rates”), both on a stand-alone basis and on a combined basis with the Fund’s fund-level and class-level contractual administration fee rates (the “Management Rates”). The Board noted that the Management Rates include transfer agency and sub-transfer agency costs. The Board also noted that the fee rate to be paid by the Fund under the Management Agreement will incorporate the advisory fee and Fund-level administration fee previously payable separately by the Fund under the Fund’s Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement with Funds Management. The Board also reviewed and considered the contractual investment sub-advisory fee rates that are payable by Funds Management to the Sub-Adviser for investment sub-advisory services (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement Rates”).

Among other information reviewed by the Board was a comparison of the Management Rates of the Fund with those of other funds in the expense Groups at a common asset level. The Board noted that the Management Rates of the Fund were lower than or in range of the average rates for the Fund’s expense Groups for all share classes.

The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total advisory fee that was retained by Funds Management after payment of the fee to the Sub-Adviser for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of responsibilities retained and risks assumed by Funds Management and not delegated to or assumed by the Sub-Adviser, and about Funds Management’s on-going oversight services. However, given the affiliation between Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of the advisory fee between them.

The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those


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36   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund   Other information (unaudited)

of the Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal burdens and risks of managing mutual funds compared with those associated with managing assets of non-mutual fund clients such as collective funds or institutional separate accounts.

Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management under the Management Agreement and Advisory Agreement and to the Sub-Adviser under the Sub-Advisory Agreement was reasonable, in light of the services covered by the Advisory Agreements.

Profitability

The Board received and considered information concerning the profitability of Funds Management, as well as the profitability of Wells Fargo as a whole, from providing services to the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board also received and considered information concerning the profitability of the Sub-Adviser from providing services to the fund family as a whole, noting that the Sub-Adviser’s profitability information with respect to providing services to the Fund was subsumed in the Wells Fargo profitability analysis.

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

Economies of scale

With respect to possible economies of scale, the Board noted the existence of breakpoints in the Fund’s advisory and management fee structures, and the Fund’s administration fee structure, which operate generally to reduce the Fund’s expense ratios as the Fund grows in size. It considered that, for a small fund or a fund that shrinks in size, breakpoints conversely can result in higher fee levels. The Board also considered that fee waiver and expense reimbursement arrangements and competitive fee rates at the outset are means of sharing potential economies of scale with shareholders of the Fund and the fund family as a whole. The Board considered Funds Management’s view that any analyses of potential economies of scale in managing a particular fund are inherently limited in light of the joint and common costs and investments that Funds Management incurs across the fund family as a whole.

The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee and expense arrangements, including contractual breakpoints, constituted a reasonable approach to sharing potential economies of scale with the Fund and its shareholders.

Other benefits to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser

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

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

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

Conclusion

At the Meeting, after considering the above-described factors and based on its deliberations and its evaluation of the information described above, the Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement for the period from June 1, 2015 through June 30, 2015, approved the Management Agreement for the period from July 1, 2015 through May 31, 2016, and approved the continuation of the Sub-Advisory Agreement for a one-year term through May 31, 2016. The Board also determined that the compensation payable to Funds Management and the Sub-Adviser under each of the Advisory Agreements was reasonable.


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List of abbreviations   Wells Fargo Advantage Premier Large Company Growth Fund     37   

The following is a list of common abbreviations for terms and entities that may have appeared in this report.

 

ACA —  ACA Financial Guaranty Corporation
ADR —  American depositary receipt
ADS —  American depositary shares
AGC —  Assured Guaranty Corporation
AGM —  Assured Guaranty Municipal
Ambac —  Ambac Financial Group Incorporated
AMT —  Alternative minimum tax
AUD —  Australian dollar
BAN —  Bond anticipation notes
BHAC —  Berkshire Hathaway Assurance Corporation
BRL —  Brazilian real
CAB —  Capital appreciation bond
CAD —  Canadian dollar
CCAB —  Convertible capital appreciation bond
CDA —  Community Development Authority
CDO —  Collateralized debt obligation
CHF —  Swiss franc
COP —  Colombian peso
CLP —  Chilean peso
DKK —  Danish krone
DRIVER —  Derivative inverse tax-exempt receipts
DW&P —  Department of Water & Power
DWR —  Department of Water Resources
ECFA —  Educational & Cultural Facilities Authority
EDA —  Economic Development Authority
EDFA —  Economic Development Finance Authority
ETF —  Exchange-traded fund
EUR —  Euro
FDIC —  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
FFCB —  Federal Farm Credit Banks
FGIC —  Financial Guaranty Insurance Corporation
FHA —  Federal Housing Administration
FHLB —  Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC —  Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FICO —  The Financing Corporation
FNMA —  Federal National Mortgage Association
FSA —  Farm Service Agency
GBP —  Great British pound
GDR —  Global depositary receipt
GNMA —  Government National Mortgage Association
GO —  General obligation
HCFR —  Healthcare facilities revenue
HEFA —  Health & Educational Facilities Authority
HEFAR —  Higher education facilities authority revenue
HFA —  Housing Finance Authority
HFFA —  Health Facilities Financing Authority
HKD —  Hong Kong dollar
HUD —  Department of Housing and Urban Development
HUF —  Hungarian forint
IDA —  Industrial Development Authority
IDAG —  Industrial Development Agency
IDR —  Indonesian rupiah
IEP —  Irish pound
JPY —  Japanese yen
KRW —  Republic of Korea won
LIBOR —  London Interbank Offered Rate
LIFER —  Long Inverse Floating Exempt Receipts
LIQ —  Liquidity agreement
LLC —  Limited liability company
LLLP —  Limited liability limited partnership
LLP —  Limited liability partnership
LOC —  Letter of credit
LP —  Limited partnership
MBIA —  Municipal Bond Insurance Association
MFHR —  Multifamily housing revenue
MSTR —  Municipal securities trust receipts
MTN —  Medium-term note
MUD —  Municipal Utility District
MXN —  Mexican peso
MYR —  Malaysian ringgit
National —  National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation
NGN —  Nigerian naira
NOK —  Norwegian krone
NZD —  New Zealand dollar
PCFA —  Pollution Control Financing Authority
PCL —  Public Company Limited
PCR —  Pollution control revenue
PFA —  Public Finance Authority
PFFA —  Public Facilities Financing Authority
PFOTER —  Puttable floating option tax-exempt receipts
plc —  Public limited company
PLN —  Polish zloty
PUTTER —  Puttable tax-exempt receipts
R&D —  Research & development
Radian —  Radian Asset Assurance
RAN —  Revenue anticipation notes
RDA —  Redevelopment Authority
RDFA —  Redevelopment Finance Authority
REIT —  Real estate investment trust
ROC —  Reset option certificates
RON —  Romanian lei
RUB —  Russian ruble
SAVRS —  Select auction variable rate securities
SBA —  Small Business Authority
SDR —  Swedish depositary receipt
SEK —  Swedish krona
SFHR —  Single-family housing revenue
SFMR —  Single-family mortgage revenue
SGD —  Singapore dollar
SPA —  Standby purchase agreement
SPDR —  Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipts
SPEAR —   Short Puttable Exempt Adjustable Receipts
STRIPS —  Separate trading of registered interest and
           principal securities
TAN —  Tax anticipation notes
TBA —  To be announced
THB —  Thai baht
TIPS —  Treasury inflation-protected securities
TRAN —  Tax revenue anticipation notes
TRY —  Turkish lira
TTFA —  Transportation Trust Fund Authority
TVA —  Tennessee Valley Authority
ZAR —  South African rand
 


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LOGO

 

 

LOGO

For more information

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

Wells Fargo Advantage Funds

P.O. Box 8266

Boston, MA 02266-8266

Email: wfaf@wellsfargo.com

Website: wellsfargoadvantagefunds.com

Individual investors: 1-800-222-8222

Retail investment professionals: 1-888-877-9275

Institutional investment professionals: 1-866-765-0778

 

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

Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company, provides investment advisory and administrative services for Wells Fargo Advantage Funds. Other affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company provide subadvisory and other services for the Funds. The Funds are distributed by Wells Fargo Funds Distributor, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC, an affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

NOT FDIC INSURED  ¡  NO BANK GUARANTEE  ¡   MAY LOSE VALUE

© 2015 Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

LOGO     

236200 09-15

A212/AR212 07-15


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ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS

(a) As of the end of the period covered by the report, Wells Fargo Funds Trust has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its President and Treasurer. A copy of the code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR.

(c) During the period covered by this report, there were no amendments to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in Item 2(a) above.

(d) During the period covered by this report, there were no implicit or explicit waivers to the provisions of the code of ethics adopted in Item 2(a) above.

ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT

The Board of Trustees of Wells Fargo Funds Trust has determined that Judith Johnson is an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Mrs. Johnson is independent for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.

ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

(a), (b), (c), (d) The following table presents aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for services rendered to the Registrant by the Registrant’s principal accountant. These fees were billed to the registrant and were approved by the Registrant’s audit committee.

 

     Fiscal
year ended
July 31, 2015
     Fiscal
year ended
July 31, 2014
 

Audit fees

   $ 296,590       $ 296,590   

Audit-related fees

     —           —     

Tax fees (1)

     40,200         41,100   

All other fees

     —           —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 336,790       $ 337,690   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) Tax fees consist of fees for tax compliance, tax advice, tax planning and excise tax.

(e) The Chairman of the Audit Committees is authorized to pre-approve: (1) audit services for the mutual funds of Wells Fargo Funds Trust; (2) non-audit tax or compliance consulting or training services provided to the Funds by the independent auditors (“Auditors”) if the fees for any particular engagement are not anticipated to exceed $50,000; and (3) non-audit tax or compliance consulting or training services provided by the Auditors to a Fund’s investment adviser and its controlling entities (where pre-approval is required because the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Fund) if the fee to the Auditors for any particular engagement is not anticipated to exceed $50,000. For any such pre-approval sought from the Chairman, Management shall prepare a brief description of the proposed services. If the Chairman approves of such service, he or she shall sign the statement prepared by Management. Such written statement shall be presented to the full Committees at their next regularly scheduled meetings.

(f) Not applicable

(g) Not applicable


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(h) Not applicable

ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS

Not applicable.

ITEM 6. INVESTMENTS

A Portfolio of Investments for each series of Wells Fargo Funds Trust is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.


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ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS

Not applicable.

ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees that have been implemented since the registrant’s last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of this Item.

ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a) The President and Treasurer have concluded that the Wells Fargo Funds Trust (the “Trust”) disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) provide reasonable assurances that material information relating to the Trust is made known to them by the appropriate persons based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report.

(b) There were no significant changes in the Trust’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 12. EXHIBITS

(a)(1) Code of Ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit COE.

(a)(2) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.

(a)(3) Not applicable.

(b) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Wells Fargo Funds Trust
By:  
  /s/ Karla M. Rabusch
  Karla M. Rabusch
  President
Date:   September 23, 2015

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

 

Wells Fargo Funds Trust
By:  
  /s/ Karla M. Rabusch
  Karla M. Rabusch
  President
Date:   September 23, 2015
By:  
  /s/ Jeremy DePalma
  Jeremy DePalma
  Treasurer
Date:   September 23, 2015

Dates Referenced Herein   and   Documents Incorporated by Reference

This ‘N-CSR’ Filing    Date    Other Filings
11/30/16
5/31/16
12/15/15
12/1/15
11/30/15
Filed on / Effective on:9/25/15485BPOS,  497K
9/23/15
For Period End:7/31/15
7/1/15485BPOS,  497,  497K
6/30/1524F-2NT,  485BPOS,  497,  DEFA14A,  N-CSR,  N-CSRS,  N-MFP,  N-PX,  N-Q,  NSAR-A,  NSAR-B
6/1/15485BPOS
3/31/1524F-2NT,  485APOS,  497,  497K,  N-CSR,  N-CSRS,  N-MFP,  N-Q,  NSAR-A,  NSAR-B
2/1/15485BPOS
1/1/15485BPOS
12/1/14485BPOS,  497,  497K
11/30/14N-CSRS,  N-MFP,  N-Q,  NSAR-A
8/1/14485BPOS
7/31/1424F-2NT,  N-CSR,  N-CSRS,  N-MFP,  N-Q,  NSAR-A,  NSAR-B,  NSAR-B/A
7/31/1324F-2NT,  N-CSR,  N-CSRS,  N-MFP,  N-MFP/A,  N-Q,  NSAR-A,  NSAR-A/A,  NSAR-B
3/1/13485BPOS,  497,  NSAR-B
11/30/12497,  497K,  N-MFP,  N-Q,  NSAR-A
7/31/1224F-2NT,  497K,  N-CSR,  N-CSRS,  N-MFP,  N-Q,  NSAR-A,  NSAR-B
6/15/12485BPOS,  497,  497K,  NSAR-B
7/19/10485BPOS,  497,  497K
6/30/1024F-2NT,  497,  497K,  N-CSR,  N-CSRS,  N-Q,  NSAR-A,  NSAR-B
6/20/08485BPOS,  497
3/10/99
 List all Filings 
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