THE OAKMARK INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP FUNDReport from David G. Herro and Chad M. Clark, Portfolio Managers |
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| THE VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN THE OAKMARK INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP FUND FROM ITS INCEPTION (11/1/95) TO PRESENT (12/31/06) AS COMPARED TO THE MSCI WORLD EX U.S. INDEX 13 | ||||||
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| Average Annual
Total Returns (as of 12/31/06) |
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| Total Return Last 3 Months* |
1-year | 5-year | 10-year | Since Inception (11/1/95) |
||
| Oakmark
International Small Cap Fund (Class I) |
11.89% | 34.90% | 24.99% | 15.50% | 15.68% | |
| MSCI World ex U.S. | 10.12% | 25.71% | 15.25% | 7.96% | 8.38% | |
| MSCI World ex U.S. Small Cap16 |
11.65% | 19.46% | 23.70% | N/A | N/A | |
| Lipper International Small Cap Index17 |
13.69% | 28.08% | 23.99% | 13.34% | N/A | |
| |
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| The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. | ||||||
| The performance data quoted represents past performance. The above performance information for the Fund does not reflect the imposition of a 2% redemption fee on shares held for 90 days or less to deter market timers. If reflected, the fee would reduce the performance quoted. Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Average annual total return measures annualized change, while total return measures aggregate change. To obtain most recent month-end performance data, visit oakmark.com. | ||||||
| * Not annualized | ||||||
The Oakmark International Small Cap Fund gained 12% in the quarter ended December 31, 2006, outperforming our benchmark indices. More importantly, however, for the past twelve months and since inception, your Fund is up 35% and 16% respectively, outpacing the MSCI World ex U.S. Index, which returned 26% and 8%.
Global small-cap equity indices experienced another strong quarter; most—excluding Japan—posted double-digit gains. Japan, the largest in the MSCI World ex U.S. Small Cap Universe, was virtually flat in the quarter.
The Fund remained well underweight Japan, having just 11% of assets invested in the country versus almost 27% for the index. As the Fund was substantially underweight in a relatively poor performing Japanese market, this allocation effect yielded the greatest contribution to overall performance in the quarter.
Stock selection in Norway and New Zealand also boosted the Fund during the quarter, adding almost 1% to the Fund's relative performance. The Fund's Norwegian and New Zealand names advanced 24% and 29% respectively in the quarter, versus the local markets, which posted 14% and 7% returns respectively.
Large Contributors
Tandberg ASA, a Norwegian manufacturer of video-conferencing equipment, rose 35% in the quarter (following last quarter's 34% advance). We highlighted this stock in the March 2006 report and discussed it again in last quarter's report. As the stock has now surpassed our estimate of fair value, we have begun making tax-efficient sales.
JJB Sports, a UK sporting goods retailer and health club owner, rose 27% in the quarter. While September results weren't impressive, the business's underlying fundamentals appear to be improving. Sportsworld, JJB's largest competitor, had been employing a massive price discounting strategy on brand name goods (namely Nike and Adidas) to attract shoppers into its stores and to its private label merchandise. JJB notified Nike and Adidas of these aggressive pricing tactics, and these companies have responded appropriately to protect their brands. Sportsworld has lost access to some of the most coveted merchandise (like Nike Air product) and now must meet strict operating guidelines to ensure future access. JJB, who never participated in these tactics, now receives marketing support from Nike and Adidas as well, further tightening those relationships. With the retail business on firmer footing, gross margins should improve in 2007. This, combined with good health club performance, has led many to upgrade their forecasts for the group.
Media Prima, Malaysia's largest free-to-air broadcaster, rose 31% in the quarter. The group's main channel, "3," substantially outperformed the advertising market this year by attracting large non-traditional advertisers to Malay TV (many of whom were limited due to foreign content production restrictions). With strong revenue growth and limited cost inflation, margins advanced 1000 basis points on this channel. The group is also making solid progress with its recently acquired channel "7." Media Prima has narrowed the previous owner's advertising discounts and brought margins from losses to mid-double-digit. Lastly, management is also evaluating options for its stake in New Straits Times, which represents about 13% of the value of the company. The group's dominant position is now translating into excellent financial results, and the market appears to be awakening to the new Media Prima.
Detractors
There was only one meaningful detractor to performance in the quarter. MLP, one of Germany's largest independent financial advisors (IFAs), was one of the Fund's top five positions and was off 15% in the quarter. Towards the end of the third quarter, the group revised down its earnings guidance for 2006 by almost 25% due to poor IFA productivity. Recent product changes meant IFAs received more upfront money on sales, leading them to be less aggressive. Poor branch oversight and poor product training discipline allowed the problem to fester. Management took aggressive action to rectify the problem and fired the Head of Sales and Marketing, as well as some branch managers, and it also changed the IFA's compensation schemes. Management has also taken advantage of the weak stock price and repurchased shares, which we view favorably as it should generate substantial value. We continue to like the underlying dynamics in the savings market in Germany and believe MLP is well positioned to exploit the changing environment. As such, the Fund used the shares' recent weakness to increase its position.
Portfolio Composition
The Fund exited many positions that had reached their fair values in the quarter, including Saurer, De La Rue, Halma, and Countrywide. We also sold the balance of our holdings in Matalan and Kook Soon Dang. New ideas generated in the quarter include Citizen Watch, a Japanese manufacturer of watches and electronic devices, and Spectris, a UK manufacturer of electronic controls.
Geographically, our portfolio weightings remain very similar to last quarter. Europe and the UK represent approximately 65% of investments, and the majority of the balance excluding cash is invested in the Pacific Rim.
Small capitalization international stocks (ex Japan) continued their strong advances in the quarter, which in turn further reduced the number of attractive investment candidates. However, we continue to own names that have demonstrated a consistent ability to grow value per share over time. We thank you for your continued support.
| David G. Herro, CFA Portfolio Manager dherro@oakmark.com |
Chad M. Clark, CFA Portfolio Manager cclark@oakmark.com |
| THE OAKMARK INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP FUND |
International DiversificationDecember 31, 2006 (Unaudited)

| THE OAKMARK INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP FUND |
Schedule of InvestmentsDecember 31, 2006 (Unaudited)
| Name | Description | Shares Held | Market Value |
| Common Stocks95.8% | |||
| Advertising1.3% | |||
| Asatsu-DK, Inc. (Japan) | Advertising Services Provider | 554,700 | $17,619,142 |
| Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods2.3% | |||
| Bulgari S.p.A. (Italy) | Jewelry Manufacturer & Retailer | 2,312,000 | $32,808,523 |
| Auto Parts & Equipment3.3% | |||
| Kongsberg Automotive ASA (Norway) |
Auto Parts & Equipment Manufacturer |
3,527,500 | $32,247,161 |
| Wagon PLC (Great Britain) | Auto Parts & Equipment Manufacturer |
4,762,600 | 14,663,831 |
| 46,910,992 | |||
| Broadcasting & Cable TV6.5% | |||
| Sogecable SA (Spain) (a) | Cable Television Services | 1,372,500 | $48,917,753 |
| Media Prima Berhad (Malaysia) | Film Producer & Sports Promoter | 48,109,600 | 34,091,270 |
| M6 Metropole Television (France) | Television Entertainment Channel Owner & Operator |
251,200 | 8,973,003 |
| 91,982,026 | |||
| Home Improvement Retail3.0% | |||
| Carpetright plc (Great Britain) | Carpet Retailer | 1,641,200 | $42,128,586 |
| Movies & Entertainment—1.2% | |||
| CTS Eventim AG (Germany) | Entertainment Tickets Producer & Distributor | 426,400 | $16,469,556 |
| Photographic Products2.1% | |||
| Vitec Group plc (Great Britain) | Photo Equipment & Supplies | 2,780,379 | $28,771,445 |
| Publishing6.3% | |||
| Daekyo Co., Ltd. (Korea) | Educational Information Service Provider | 407,900 | $40,790,000 |
| Tamedia AG (Switzerland) | TV Broadcasting & Publishing | 176,427 | 23,238,846 |
| SCMP Group, Ltd. (Hong Kong) | Newspaper Publisher & Distributor |
61,243,000 | 23,227,036 |
| 87,255,882 | |||
| Restaurants—0.1% | |||
| Alsea de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V. (Mexico) | Pizza Restaurants | 311,800 | $1,699,704 |
| Specialty Stores—2.9% | |||
| JJB Sports plc (Great Britain) | Sportswear & Sports Equipment Retailer | 8,845,300 | $40,743,177 |
| Textiles—1.6% | |||
| Chargeurs SA (France) (a) | Wool, Textile Production & Trading | 790,182 | $21,800,367 |
| Distillers & Vintners—0.6% | |||
| Baron de Ley, S.A. (Spain) (a) | Beverages, Wines, & Spirits Manufacturer | 146,700 | $8,946,692 |
| Household Products—1.7% | |||
| Kimberly-Clark de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V (Mexico) | Hygiene Products Manufacturer, Marketer & Distributor | 5,027,200 | $23,118,698 |
| Packaged Foods & Meats—4.3% | |||
| Lotte Confectionery Co., Ltd. (Korea) | Candy & Snacks Manufacturer | 25,254 | $32,857,355 |
| Binggrae Co., Ltd. (Korea) | Dairy Products Manufacturer |
501,910 | 22,990,716 |
| Alaska Milk Corporation (Philippines) | Milk Producer |
56,360,000 | 4,251,417 |
| 60,099,488 | |||
| Soft Drinks—0.5% | |||
| Britvic Plc (Great Britain) | Soft Drink Manufacturer & Supplier | 1,231,000 | $7,086,276 |
| Asset Management & Custody Banks—7.5% | |||
| MLP AG (Germany) | Asset Management | 2,892,000 | $57,416,472 |
| Julius Baer Holding Ltd. (Switzerland) | Asset Management |
430,000 | 47,358,227 |
| 104,774,699 | |||
| Investment Banking & Brokerage—2.1% | |||
| Ichiyoshi Securities Co., Ltd. (Japan) | Stock Broker | 2,022,800 | $29,184,888 |
| Multi-Sector Holdings—1.8% | |||
| Pargesa Holding SA (Switzerland) | Diversified Operations | 215,400 | $24,536,332 |
| Reinsurance—4.0% | |||
| Benfield Group Ltd. (Great Britain) | Reinsurance Service Provider | 7,927,500 | $55,491,311 |
| Health Care Distributors—1.1% | |||
| Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Limited (Australia) | Pharmaceutical Products Distributor | 8,856,914 | $15,520,475 |
| Health Care Supplies—1.8% | |||
| Ansell Limited (Australia) | Protective Rubber & Plastics Products | 1,767,596 | $15,696,584 |
| Medisize Holding AG (Switzerland) (a) | Medical & Dental Applications Holding Company |
140,000 | 9,536,315 |
| 25,232,899 | |||
| Pharmaceuticals—0.6% | |||
| Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Japan) | Pharmaceuticals | 318,900 | $8,977,060 |
| Air Freight & Logistics0.9% | |||
| Mainfreight Limited (New Zealand) | Logistics Services | 2,192,779 | $12,359,380 |
| Freightways Limited (New Zealand) | Express Package Services |
154,100 | 493,999 |
| 12,853,379 | |||
| Diversified Commercial and Professional Services—2.8% | |||
| Intrum Justitia AB (Sweden) | Diversified Financial Services | 1,732,643 | $22,461,757 |
| Prosegur, Compania de Seguridad SA (Spain) | Security & Transportation Services | 516,700 | 16,847,125 |
| 39,308,882 | |||
| Human Resource & Employment Services—0.1% | |||
| Robert Walters plc (Great Britain) | Recruitment Services | 237,478 | $1,519,328 |
| Industrial Conglomerates—2.5% | |||
| Haw Par Corporation Limited (Singapore) | Diversified Operations | 5,508,687 | $25,500,686 |
| Rheinmetall AG (Germany) | Automotive Pump Manufacturer | 82,700 | 6,274,984 |
| Tomkins plc (Great Britain) | International Manufacturing | 961,461 | 4,626,344 |
| 36,402,014 | |||
| Industrial Machinery—6.9% | |||
| Domino Printing Sciences plc (Great Britain) | Printing Equipment | 4,832,700 | $30,681,918 |
| Interpump Group S.p.A. (Italy) | Pump & Piston Manufacturer | 3,202,700 | 28,900,722 |
| Schindler Holding AG (Switzerland) | Escalator & Elevator Manufacturer |
392,975 | 24,510,546 |
| Pfeiffer Vacuum Technology AG (Germany) | Vacuum Pump Manufacturer |
79,800 | 6,783,895 |
| LISI (France) | Industrial Fastener Manufacturer |
49,600 | 4,007,038 |
| 94,884,119 | |||
| Application Software—1.1% | |||
| Lectra (France) | Manufacturing Process Systems | 2,186,404 | $15,960,479 |
| Communication Equipment—3.9% | |||
| Tandberg ASA (Norway) | Develops & Markets Communication Equipments | 3,590,700 | $54,132,313 |
| Data Processing & Outsourced Services—2.5% | |||
| Veda Advantage Limited (Australia) | Credit Reference Services | 16,802,620 | $34,882,080 |
| Electronic Equipment Manufacturers—4.8% | |||
| Spectris Plc (Great Britain) | Electronic Component Manufacturer, Designer & Marketer | 1,539,300 | $23,614,294 |
| Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. (Japan) | Watch & Machine Tool Producer & Seller | 2,075,000 | 15,884,417 |
| Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd. (Japan) | Digital Camera Motors Manufacturer | 235,900 | 14,034,469 |
| Orbotech, Ltd. (Israel) (a) | Optical Inspection Systems | 536,500 | 13,648,560 |
| 67,181,740 | |||
| Home Entertainment Software—3.3% | |||
| Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Japan) | Entertainment Software | 1,747,400 | $45,812,260 |
| IT Consulting & Other Services—2.8% | |||
| Morse plc (Great Britain) | Business & Technology Solutions | 15,231,000 | $32,208,082 |
| Ementor ASA (Norway) (a) | Management & IT Consulting Services |
1,205,100 | 6,803,233 |
| 39,011,315 | |||
| Name | Description | Shares Held/ Par Value |
Market Value |
| Office Electronics—3.2% | |||
| Neopost SA (France) | Mailroom Equipment Supplier | 220,700 | $27,720,529 |
| Boewe Systec AG (Germany) | Automated Paper Management Systems Producer |
253,670 | 17,235,094 |
| 44,955,623 | |||
| Specialty Chemicals—3.0% | |||
| Croda International plc (Great Britain) | Chemical Producer | 1,431,302 | $16,394,562 |
| Gurit Holding AG (Switzerland) | Chemical Producer | 14,407 | 12,580,261 |
| Taiyo Ink Mfg. Co., Ltd. (Japan) | Manufacturer of Resist Inks |
218,000 | 12,108,567 |
| 41,083,390 | |||
| Alternative Carriers—1.4% | |||
| Asia Satellite Telecommunications Holdings Limited (Hong Kong) | Satellite Operator | 10,903,800 | $19,597,486 |
| Total Common Stocks (Cost: $946,311,032) | 1,338,742,626 | ||
| Short Term Investments3.8% | Repurchase Agreement3.8% | ||
| IBT Repurchase Agreement, 5.01% dated 12/29/2006 due 1/2/2007, repurchase price $53,686,449, collateralized by Small Business Administration Bonds, with rates of 7.125% - 8.750%, with maturities from 7/25/2018 - 5/25/2030, and with an aggregate market value plus accrued interest of $56,339,409 | $53,656,580 | $53,656,580 | |
| Total Repurchase Agreement (Cost: $53,656,580) | 53,656,580 | ||
| Total Short Term Investments (Cost: $53,656,580) | 53,656,580 | ||
| Total Investments (Cost $999,967,612)—99.6% | $1,392,399,206 | ||
| Other Assets In Excess Of Other Liabilities—0.4% | 5,850,004 | ||
| Total Net Assets100% | $1,398,249,210 | ||
| (a) | Non-income producing security. |