Columbia Acorn Trust

04/25/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/25/2024 15:10

Summary Prospectus by Investment Company - Form 497K

Columbia Acorn Trust - Acorn European Fund
Summary Prospectus
May 1, 2024
Columbia Acorn Family of Funds
Managed by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC
Columbia
Acorn European FundSM
Class
Ticker Symbol
A
CAEAX
Advisor (Class Adv)
CLOFX
Class
Ticker Symbol
Institutional (Class Inst)
CAEZX
Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund's Prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund's Prospectus, reports to shareholders, Statement of Additional Information and other information about the Fund online at https://www.columbiathreadneedleus.com/resources/literature. If you hold your Fund shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you can get this information at no cost by contacting that financial intermediary. If you hold your Fund shares directly with the Fund, you can get this information at no cost by calling 800.345.6611 or by sending an email to [email protected]. This Summary Prospectus incorporates by reference the Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, both dated May 1, 2024.
As with all mutual funds, the Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Investment Objective
Columbia Acorn European FundSM (the Fund) seeks long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and members of your immediate family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $50,000 in certain classes of shares of eligible funds distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor). More information is available about these and other sales charge discounts and waivers from your financial intermediary, and can be found in the Choosing a Share Class section beginning on page 26 of the Fund's prospectus, in Appendix A to the prospectus beginning on page A-1 and in Appendix S to the Statement of Additional Information (SAI) under Sales Charge Waiversbeginning on page S-1.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Class A
Classes Adv
and Inst
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a % of offering price)
5.75
%
None
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) imposed on redemptions (as a % of the lower of the original purchase price
or current net asset value)
1.00
%(a)
None
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Class A
Class Adv
Class Inst
Management fees
1.19
%
1.19
%
1.19
%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees
0.25
%
0.00
%
0.00
%
Other expenses
0.48
%
0.48
%
0.48
%
Total annual Fund operating expenses(b)
1.92
%
1.67
%
1.67
%
Fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements(c)
(0.47
%)
(0.47
%)
(0.47
%)
Total annual Fund operating expenses after fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements
1.45
%
1.20
%
1.20
%
(a)
This charge is imposed on certain investments of between $1 million and $50 million redeemed within 18 months after purchase, as follows: 1.00% if redeemed within 12 months after purchase, and 0.50% if redeemed more than 12, but less than 18, months after purchase, with certain limited exceptions.
(b)
"Total annual Fund operating expenses" include acquired fund fees and expenses (expenses the Fund incurs indirectly through its investments in other investment companies) and may be higher than the ratio of expenses to average net assets shown in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus because the ratio of expenses to average net assets does not include acquired fund fees and expenses.
(c)
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (the Investment Manager) has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse certain expenses of the Fund, through April 30, 2025, so that ordinary operating expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment-related expenses, interest and fees on borrowings and expenses associated with the Fund's investment in other investment companies, if any) do not exceed the annual rates of 1.45% for Class A shares, 1.20% for Class Adv shares and 1.20% for Class Inst shares. This arrangement may only be amended or terminated with approval from the Fund's Board of Trustees and the Investment Manager.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated, and assumes that:
you invest $10,000 in the applicable class of Fund shares for the periods indicated,
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
the Fund's total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expensestable above.
1
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
Since the waivers and/or reimbursements shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above expire as indicated in the preceding table, they are only reflected in the 1 year example and the first year of the other examples. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs would be:
1 year
3 years
5 years
10 years
Class A (whether or not shares are redeemed)
$714
$1,100
$1,511
$2,653
Class Adv (whether or not shares are redeemed)
$122
$481
$863
$1,937
Class Inst (whether or not shares are redeemed)
$122
$481
$863
$1,937
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 23% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowing for investment purposes) in European companies. Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 70% of its total assets in companies in Western European countries (for example, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy), but also may invest up to 30% of its total assets in companies in emerging Central and Eastern European countries (for example, Poland, the Czech Republic, Turkey and Cyprus). For purposes of the Fund's policies, the Fund may invest in a company if (i) it is domiciled in, or the principal trading market for its securities is in, a European country, (ii) it derives 50% or more of its economic value from goods produced, sales made or services performed or has at least 50% of its assets in a European country or countries or (iii) it is a holding company that predominantly holds shares in such companies. The Fund may invest in a variety of countries, industries and sectors and does not attempt to invest a specific percentage of its assets in any given country, industry or sector.
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests a majority of its net assets in the common stock of small- and mid-sized companies with market capitalizations generally in the range of market capitalizations in the MSCI AC Europe Small Cap Index (Net), the Fund's benchmark, (the Index) at the time of purchase (between $142.5 million and $8.5 billion as of March 31, 2024).The market capitalization range and composition of companies in the Index are subject to change.As such, the size of the companies in which the Fund invests may change. The Fund determines a company's market capitalization at the time of investment. As long as a majority of its net assets are invested in companies within the market capitalization range of the Index, the Fund may continue to hold and make new investments in a security even if the company's market capitalization grows beyond the market capitalization of the largest company within the range of the Index or falls below the market capitalization of the smallest company within the Index.The Investment Manager from time to time emphasizes one or more sectors in selecting the Fund's investments, including the industrials and information technology sectors.
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC, the Fund's investment adviser (the Investment Manager), believes that stocks of small- and mid-sized companies, which generally are not as well known by financial analysts as larger companies, may offer higher return potential than stocks of larger companies.
The Fund takes advantage of the Investment Manager's research and stock-picking capabilities to initially invest in a limited number of companies (generally under 100), offering the potential to provide above-average growth over time.
The Investment Manager typically seeks companies with:
A strong business franchise that offers growth potential.
Products and services in which the company has a competitive advantage.
A stock price the Investment Manager believes is reasonable relative to the assets and earning power of the company.
The Investment Manager may sell a portfolio holding if the security reaches the Investment Manager's price target, if the company has a deterioration of fundamentals, such as failing to meet key operating benchmarks, or if the Investment Manager believes other securities are more attractive. The Investment Manager also may sell a portfolio holding to fund redemptions.
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
2
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including those described below, among others. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money. The value of the Fund's holdings may decline, and the Fund's net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Active Management Risk. The Investment Manager's active management of the Fund could cause the Fund to underperform its benchmark index and/or other funds with similar investment objectives and/or strategies.
Small- and Mid-Cap Company Securities Risk. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Geographic Focus Risk. The Fund may be particularly susceptible to risks related to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions affecting issuers and countries within the specific geographic regions in which the Fund invests. The Fund's NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund.
Europe. The Fund is particularly susceptible to risks related to economic, political, regulatory or other events or conditions, including acts of war or other conflicts in the region, affecting issuers and countries in Europe. Countries in Europe are often closely connected and interdependent, and events in one European country can have an adverse impact on, and potentially spread to, other European countries. In addition, significant private or public debt problems in a single European Union (EU) country can pose economic risks to the EU as a whole. As a result, the Fund's NAV may be more volatile than the NAV of a more geographically diversified fund. If securities of issuers in Europe fall out of favor, it may cause the Fund to underperform other funds that do not focus their investments in this region of the world. Any uncertainty caused by the departure of the United Kingdom (UK) from the EU, which occurred in January 2020, could have negative impacts on the UK and the EU, as well as other European economies and the broader global economy. These could include negative impacts on currencies and financial markets as well as increased volatility and illiquidity, and potentially lower economic growth in markets in Europe, which could adversely affect the value of your investment in the Fund.
Market Risk. The Fund may incur losses due to declines in the value of one or more securities in which it invests. These declines may be due to factors affecting a particular issuer, or the result of, among other things, political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the relevant market(s) more generally. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Fund's ability to price or value hard-to-value assets in thinly traded and closed markets and could cause significant redemptions and operational challenges. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies worldwide. As a result, local, regional or global events such as terrorism, war, other conflicts, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health issues, recessions, depressions or other events - or the potential for such events - could have a significant negative impact on global economic and market conditions.
Focused Portfolio Risk. Because the Fund may invest in a limited number of companies, the Fund as a whole is subject to greater risk of loss if any of those securities decline in price.
Liquidity and Trading Volume Risk. Due to market conditions, including uncertainty regarding the price of a security, it may be difficult for the Fund to buy or sell portfolio securities at a desirable time or price, which could result in investment losses. This risk of portfolio illiquidity is heightened with respect to small- and mid-cap securities, generally, and foreign small- and mid-cap securities in particular. The Fund may have to lower the selling price, liquidate other investments, or forego another, more appealing investment opportunity as a result of illiquidity in the markets. The Fund may also be limited in its ability to execute favorable trades in portfolio securities in response to changes in share prices and fundamentals, and may be forced to dispose of securities under disadvantageous circumstances and at a loss. As the Fund grows in size or, conversely, if it faces significant redemption pressure, these considerations take on increasing significance and may adversely impact performance.
Growth Securities Risk. Growth securities typically trade at a higher multiple of earnings than other types of equity securities. Accordingly, the market values of growth securities may never reach their expected market value and may decline in price. In addition, growth securities, at times, may not perform as well as value securities or the stock market in general, and may be out of favor with investors for varying periods of time. Growth securities may also be sensitive to movements in interest rates.
3
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in or exposure to securities of foreign companies may involve heightened risks relative to investments in or exposure to securities of U.S. companies. Investing in securities of foreign companies subjects the Fund to the risks associated with an issuer's (and any of its related companies') country of organization and places of business operations, including risks related to political, regulatory, economic, social, diplomatic and other conditions or events (including, for example, military confrontations and actions, war, other conflicts, terrorism and disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics) occurring in the country or region, as well as risks associated with less developed custody and settlement practices. Foreign securities may be more volatile and less liquid than securities of U.S. companies, and are subject to the risks associated with potential imposition of economic and other sanctions against a particular foreign country, its nationals or industries or businesses within the country. In addition, foreign governments may impose withholding or other taxes on the Fund's income, capital gains or proceeds from the disposition of foreign securities, which could reduce the Fund's return on such securities.
Operational and Settlement Risks of Foreign Securities. The Fund's foreign securities are generally held outside the United States in the primary market for the securities in the custody of foreign sub-custodians. Some countries have limited governmental oversight and regulation, which increases the risk of corruption and fraud and the possibility of losses to the Fund. In particular, under certain circumstances, foreign securities may settle on a delayed delivery basis, meaning that the Fund may be required to make payment for securities before the Fund has actually received delivery of the securities or deliver securities prior to the receipt of payment. As a result, there is a risk that the security will not be delivered to the Fund or that payment will not be received. Losses can also result from lost, stolen or counterfeit securities; defaults by brokers and banks; failures or defects of the settlement system; or poor and improper record keeping by registrars and issuers.
Share Blocking. In certain non-U.S. markets, an issuer's securities are blocked from trading for a specified number of days before and, in certain instances, after a shareholder meeting. The blocking period can last up to several weeks. Share blocking may prevent the Fund from buying or selling securities during this period. As a consequence of these restrictions, the Investment Manager, on behalf of the Fund, may abstain from voting proxies in markets that require share blocking.
Sector Risk. At times, the Fund may have a significant portion of its assets invested in securities of companies conducting business in an industry or related group of industries within one or more economic sectors, including the industrials and information technology sectors. Companies in the same sector may be similarly affected by economic, regulatory, political or market events or conditions, which may make the Fund vulnerable to unfavorable developments in that industry, group of industries or economic sector.
Industrials Sector. The Fund is vulnerable to the particular risks that may affect companies in the industrials sector. Companies in the industrials sector are subject to certain risks, including changes in supply and demand for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general, including decline in demand for such products due to rapid technological developments and frequent new product introduction. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including government regulation, world events, economic conditions and risks for environmental damage and product liability claims.
Information Technology Sector. The Fund is vulnerable to the particular risks that may affect companies in the information technology sector. Companies in the information technology sector are subject to certain risks, including the risk that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. Performance of such companies may be affected by factors including obtaining and protecting patents (or the failure to do so) and significant competitive pressures, including aggressive pricing of their products or services, new market entrants, competition for market share and short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments. Such competitive pressures may lead to limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. As a result, the value of their securities may fall or fail to rise. In addition, many information technology sector companies have limited operating histories and prices of these companies' securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term. Some companies in the information technology sector are facing increased government and regulatory scrutiny and may be subject to adverse government or regulatory action, which could negatively impact the value of their securities.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests may perform poorly, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund's performance. Underperformance of an issuer may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters, military confrontations and actions, war, other conflicts, terrorism, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other events, conditions and factors.
Emerging Market Securities Risk. Securities issued by foreign governments or companies in emerging market countries are more likely to have greater exposure to the risks of investing in foreign securities that are described in Foreign Securities Risk. In addition, emerging market countries are more likely to experience instability resulting, for example, from rapid changes or developments in social, political, economic or other conditions. Their economies are
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
4
usually less mature and their securities markets are typically less developed with more limited trading activity (i.e., lower trading volumes and less liquidity) than more developed countries. Emerging market securities tend to be more volatile, and may be more susceptible to market manipulation, than securities in more developed markets. Many emerging market countries are heavily dependent on international trade and have fewer trading partners, which makes them more sensitive to world commodity prices and economic downturns in other countries, and some have a higher risk of currency devaluations. Due to the differences in the nature and quality of financial information of issuers of emerging market securities, including auditing and financial reporting standards, financial information and disclosures about such issuers may be unavailable or, if made available, may be considerably less reliable than publicly available information about other foreign securities.
Operational and Settlement Risks of Securities in Emerging Markets. Foreign sub-custodians in emerging markets may be recently organized, lack extensive operating experience or lack effective government oversight or regulation. In addition, there may be legal restrictions or limitations on the ability of the Fund to recover assets held in custody by a foreign sub-custodian in the event of the bankruptcy of the sub-custodian. There may also be a greater risk that settlement may be delayed and that cash or securities of the Fund may be lost because of failures of or defects in the system, including fraud or corruption. Settlement systems in emerging markets also have a higher risk of failed trades.
Risks Related to Currencies and Corporate Actions in Emerging Markets. Risks related to currencies and corporate actions are also greater in emerging market countries than in developed countries. Emerging market currencies may not have an active trading market and are subject to a higher risk of currency devaluations.
Risks Related to Corporate and Securities Laws in Emerging Markets. Securities laws in emerging markets may be relatively new and unsettled and, consequently, there is a risk of rapid and unpredictable change in laws regarding foreign investment, securities regulation, title to securities and shareholder rights.
Foreign Currency Risk. The performance of the Fund may be materially affected positively or negatively by foreign currency strength or weakness relative to the U.S. dollar, particularly if the Fund invests a significant percentage of its assets in foreign securities or other assets denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
Performance Information
The following bar chart and table show you how the Fund has performed in the past, and can help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the Fund's Class Inst share performance has varied for each full calendar year shown. The table below the bar chart compares the Fund's returns for the periods shown with those of the MSCI AC Europe Small Cap Index (Net). The MSCI AC Europe Small Cap Index (Net) captures small-cap representation across 20 countries in Europe. With 1,021 constituents, the Index covers approximately 14% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization across each country in Europe (as of March 31, 2024).
The performance of one or more share classes shown in the Average Annual Total Returns table below includes the Fund's Class Inst share returns (adjusted to reflect the higher class-related operating expenses of such classes, where applicable) for periods prior to the indicated inception date of such share class.
Except for differences in fees and expenses, all share classes of the Fund would have substantially similar annual returns because all share classes of the Fund invest in the same portfolio of securities.
The after-tax returns shown in the Average Annual Total Returns table below are calculated using the highest historical individual U.S. federal marginal income tax rates in effect during the period indicated in the table and do not reflect the impact of state, local or foreign taxes. Your actual after-tax returns will depend on your personal tax situation and may differ from those shown in the table. In addition, the after-tax returns shown in the table do not apply to shares held in tax-advantaged accounts such as 401(k) plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).The after-tax returns are shown only for Class Inst shares and will vary for other share classes.
The Fund's past performance (before and after taxes) is no guarantee of how the Fund will perform in the future.Updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.345.6611 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com.
5
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
Year by Year Total Return (%)
as of December 31 Each Year*
Best and Worst Quarterly Returns
During the Period Shown in the Bar Chart
Best
2nd Quarter 2020
30.55%
Worst
1st Quarter 2020
-28.33%
*
Year to Date return as of March 31, 2024: 0.93%
Average Annual Total Returns After Applicable Sales Charges (for periods ended December 31, 2023)
Share Class
Inception Date
1 Year
5 Years
10 Years
Class Inst
08/19/2011
returns before taxes
25.09%
11.20%
5.99%
returns after taxes on distributions
24.94%
11.14%
5.90%
returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares
15.13%
9.02%
4.89%
Class A returns before taxes
08/19/2011
17.57%
9.62%
5.10%
Class Adv returns before taxes
06/25/2014
25.11%
11.20%
6.00%
MSCI AC Europe Small Cap Index (Net) (reflects reinvested dividends net of
withholding taxes but reflects no deductions for fees, expenses or other taxes)
16.54%
7.65%
4.70%
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC
Portfolio Management
Title
Role with Fund
Service with the Fund Since
Philip Dicken, CFA
Portfolio Manager
Co-Portfolio Manager
November 2023
Mine Tezgul
Portfolio Manager
Co-Portfolio Manager
November 2023
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may purchase or redeem shares of the Fund on any business day by contacting the Fund in the ways described below:
Online
Regular Mail
Express Mail
By Telephone
columbiathreadneedleus.com/investor/
Columbia Management
Investment Services Corp.
P.O. Box 219104
Kansas City, MO 64121-9104
Columbia Management
Investment Services Corp.
c/o SS&C GIDS, Inc.
430 W 7th Street, Suite 219104
Kansas City, MO 64105-1407
800.422.3737
You may purchase shares and receive redemption proceeds by electronic funds transfer, by check or by wire. If you maintain your account with a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, you must contact that financial intermediary to buy, sell or exchange shares of the Fund through your account with the intermediary.
Columbia Acorn European FundSM
6
The minimum initial investment amounts for the share classes offered by the Fund are shown below:
Minimum Initial Investment
Class
Category of eligible
account
For accounts other than
Systematic Investment
Plan accounts (as described in the Fund's Prospectus)
For Systematic Investment
Plan accounts
Class A
All accounts other than
IRAs
$2,000
$100
IRAs
$1,000
$100
Classes Adv
& Inst
All eligible accounts
$0, $1,000 or $2,000
depending upon the category
of eligible investor
$100
More information about these minimums can be found in the Buying, Selling and Exchanging Shares - Buying Sharessection of the prospectus. There is no minimum additional investment for any share class.
Tax Information
The Fund normally distributes net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, to shareholders. These distributions are generally taxable to you as ordinary income, qualified dividend income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, such as a 401(k) plan or an IRA. If you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, you may be taxed upon withdrawals from that account.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies - including the Investment Manager, the Distributor and Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (the Transfer Agent) - may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your financial advisor to recommend the Fund over another investment. These potential conflicts of interest may be heightened with respect to broker-dealers owned by Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial) and/or its affiliates. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.
Columbia Acorn Family of FundsColumbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.The Fund is distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., 290 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210.
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