THE OAKMARK GLOBAL FUNDReport from Clyde S. McGregor and Robert A. Taylor, Portfolio Managers |
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| THE VALUE OF A $10,000 INVESTMENT IN THE OAKMARK GLOBAL FUND FROM ITS INCEPTION (8/4/99) TO PRESENT (12/31/06) AS COMPARED TO THE MSCI WORLD INDEX11 | ||||
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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 | Since Inception (8/4/99) |
|
| Oakmark Global Fund (Class I) | 9.19% | 24.18% | 18.85% | 17.44% |
| MSCI World | 8.37% | 20.07% | 9.97% | 4.20% |
| Lipper Global Fund Index12 | 8.47% | 19.30% | 10.39% | 6.15% |
| 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 | ||||
Quarter Review
The Oakmark Global Fund increased 9% for the quarter ended December 31, 2006, versus 8% for the Lipper Global Fund Index and the MSCI World. More importantly the Fund is up 17% annualized since inception, outperforming the Lipper Global Fund Index and the MSCI World, which were up 6% and 4%, annualized over the same time period.
A Comment on Volatility
Twelve months ago, most stock market prognosticators forecasted that 2006 would be a quiet year with returns likely coming in between 5 and 10%. Not only have these forecasts proved conservative, but the recent quarter's return on its own exceeded these forecasts. We do not find these outcomes surprising, however. Although academics have documented that the historical average return of equities has been around 10%, the distribution of returns around that average is not symmetrical. Security prices, either individually or collectively, are volatile and are more likely to rise 11-20% than 1-10% in any given year. Quarterly results are even more volatile on a proportional basis. Nevertheless, prognosticators continue to print out forecasts for moderate rates of return. Why do they do this? Institutional incentives simply demand it. First, the potential punishments for being wrong substantially outweigh the possible rewards for being correct with an aggressive forecast. In addition, a moderate forecast is easier on clients' emotions, even if making such forecasts may be intellectually disingenuous.
We do not make market forecasts. Nor do we have incentives to embrace or reject volatility. Instead we attempt to position our portfolios to capture upside volatility and to resist downside volatility. We do this by only owning securities selling at a substantial discount to their intrinsic value. We recognize (and our investors should as well) that our portfolios will occasionally suffer bouts of downward volatility. For example, 2002 was a terrible year for global equity markets (and the worst year of performance for the Fund) because average corporate earnings fell, corporate scandals were prevalent, and valuations were still stretched from the 1999-2000 bubble years. Despite these negatives, many companies' earnings powerand thus their intrinsic valuedid not materially change. The opportunities created in this market decline laid the foundation for the strong years that followed.
In any event, in the seven-year history of the Oakmark Global Fund, the Fund has never generated an annual return in the 5-10% range. In six years, including 2006, the Fund returned greater than 10%, and in 2002 the Fund experienced a 2% loss. We often mention our compound annual return of 17% in these reports. We are proud of this record, but ask you to remember that, just as with stock market statistics, a wide range of annual returns produced this compounded annualized rate.
Activity
During the December quarter we added three new U.S. names and one international name. The selection of Live Nation provides a good example of how our teams of international and domestic analysts interact. The company is a large venue operator for live entertainment events, and it also produces and promotes events. Clear Channel Communications purchased Live Nation's former parent company in the 1990s and chose to spin the company off to shareholders late in 2005. Our international analysts' experience with a German competitor caused them to suggest that our domestic team analyze Live Nation. With a newly refocused management team as well as prospective benefits from the expiration of an expensive contract, we believe that Live Nation offers an interesting opportunity.
Medtronic is one of the largest medical device companies. Its products address problems in cardiac rhythm management, neurology, diabetes, and spinal therapies, and they also manufacture heart valves and stents. The company's products benefit from aging populations across the developed world. The balance sheet is strong, and management has demonstrated excellent capital allocation. Our opportunity to own this "best-in-class" company developed, as is often the case, when the company pre-announced a small earnings shortfall. After the announcement, investors who crave predictability rather than value fled the stock, causing a substantial fall in the share price. The shares now trade at prices first reached in 2000 despite the fact that earnings have more than doubled over that period.
Union Pacific (UNP) owns and operates the largest freight railroad in North America, serving the western United States (west of the Mississippi). Given its location and business mix, UNP should have the highest margins in the industry. Yet it currently has the worst operating margins among the Class 1 railroads (20%) versus its peers that have 23-30%. We believe that higher consumer pricing and more efficient operations will allow UNP's margins to at least reach industry norms over the medium term.
DaimlerChrysler (DCX) is a leading automobile and commercial vehicles manufacturer. Mercedes is one of the world's top luxury automobile brands that had fallen on tough times and actually lost money last year. This year the difficult U.S. market is negatively affecting Chrysler. Dealer incentives, an expected massive new model roll-out, and union negotiations are all weighing on Chrysler. These negatives created a big opportunity. Mercedes profits are improving, and the brand sells roughly the same volume as BMW and should earn similar profits. When we started buying DCX we were paying for the Mercedes brand and the net cash on the balance sheet, and in the process, we got Chrysler, the commercial division, the finance business, and other industrial holdings for free.
We sold the positions Akzo Nobel, Henkel, and TJX Cos. due to relative attractiveness versus other names in the portfolio. Despite these sales we continue to find value throughout the world. We thank you for your continued support.
| Clyde S. McGregor, CFA Portfolio Manager mcgregor@oakmark.com |
Robert A. Taylor, CFA
Portfolio Manager rtaylor@oakmark.com |
| THE OAKMARK GLOBAL FUND |
Global DiversificationDecember 31, 2006 (Unaudited)

| THE OAKMARK GLOBAL FUND |
Schedule of InvestmentsDecember 31, 2006 (Unaudited)
| Name | Description | Shares Held | Market Value | |
| Common Stocks98.5% | ||||
| Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods1.0% | ||||
| Bulgari S.p.A. (Italy) | Jewelry Manufacturer & Retailer | 1,946,000 | $27,614,786 | |
| Automobile Manufacturers5.5% | ||||
| DaimlerChrysler AG (Germany) | Automobile Manufacturer | 1,365,000 | $84,327,434 | |
| Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) AG (Germany) | Luxury Automobile Manufacturer | 1,064,000 | 61,111,240 | |
| 145,438,674 | ||||
| Broadcasting & Cable TV3.7% | ||||
| CBS Corporation, Class B (United States) | Radio & Television Broadcasting | 1,585,000 | $49,420,300 | |
| Discovery Holding Company, Class A (United States) (a) | Media Management & Network Services | 2,913,700 | 46,881,433 | |
| 96,301,733 | ||||
| Household Appliances3.2% | ||||
| Snap-on Incorporated (United States) | Tool & Equipment Manufacturer | 1,760,000 | $83,846,400 | |
| Leisure Products1.1% | ||||
| Brunswick Corp. (United States) | Leisure & Recreation Products Manufacturer | 877,000 | $27,976,300 | |
| Motorcycle Manufacturers3.0% | ||||
| Harley-Davidson, Inc. (United States) | Motorcycle Manufacturer | 1,126,000 | $79,349,220 | |
| Movies & Entertainment8.0% | ||||
| Time Warner, Inc. (United States) | Filmed Entertainment & Television Networks | 2,117,000 | $46,108,260 | |
| Live Nation (United States) (a) | TV Programming | 1,892,000 | 42,380,800 | |
| Viacom, Inc., Class B (United States) (a) | Publishing Company | 1,009,900 | 41,436,197 | |
| Vivendi Universal SA (France) | Music, Games, Television, Film, & Telecommunications | 1,051,500 | 41,099,645 | |
| News Corporation, Class B (United States) | International Multimedia & Entertainment Company | 1,726,500 | 38,431,890 | |
| 209,456,792 | ||||
| Publishing3.4% | ||||
| The Washington Post Company, Class B (United States) | Newspaper & Magazine Publishing | 70,360 | $52,460,416 | |
| Trinity Mirror plc (Great Britain) | Newspaper Publishing | 4,078,900 | 37,496,553 | |
| 89,956,969 | ||||
| Distillers & Vintners2.9% | ||||
| Diageo plc (Great Britain) | Beverages, Wines, & Spirits Manufacturer | 3,902,500 | $76,601,977 | |
| Household Products1.7% | ||||
| Uni-Charm Corporation (Japan) | Toiletry Products Manufacturer | 397,400 | $23,609,243 | |
| Kimberly-Clark de Mexico S.A.B. de C.V (Mexico) | Hygiene Products Manufacturer, Marketer & Distributor | 4,391,000 | 20,192,991 | |
| 43,802,234 | ||||
| Packaged Foods & Meats3.5% | ||||
| Nestle SA (Switzerland) | Food & Beverage Manufacturer | 157,500 | $55,968,404 | |
| Cadbury Schweppes plc (Great Britain) | Beverage & Confectionary Manufacturer | 3,493,000 | 37,376,742 | |
| 93,345,146 | ||||
| Soft Drinks1.0% | ||||
| Lotte Chilsung Beverage Co., Ltd. (Korea) | Soft Drinks, Juices & Sports Drinks Manufacturer | 16,680 | $25,109,677 | |
| Oil & Gas Exploration & Production2.7% | ||||
| XTO Energy, Inc. (United States) | Oil & Natural Gas Exploration & Production | 1,509,000 | $70,998,450 | |
| Asset Management & Custody Banks3.0% | ||||
| Julius Baer Holding Ltd. (Switzerland) | Asset Management | 729,300 | $80,321,756 | |
| Diversified Banks2.3% | ||||
| Bank of Ireland (Ireland) | Commercial Bank | 2,191,994 | $50,636,979 | |
| Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (Australia) | Commercial Bank | 489,200 | 10,893,292 | |
| 61,530,271 | ||||
| Diversified Capital Markets3.0% | ||||
| Credit Suisse Group (Switzerland) | Investment Services & Insurance | 1,137,400 | $79,575,995 | |
| Investment Banking & Brokerage2.4% | ||||
| Daiwa Securities Group, Inc. (Japan) | Stock Broker | 5,688,000 | $63,808,075 | |
| Health Care Equipment3.1% | ||||
| Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (United States) (a) | Health Care Equipment & Supplies | 1,115,100 | $44,102,205 | |
| Medtronic, Inc. (United States) | Health Care Equipment | 711,100 | 38,050,961 | |
| 82,153,166 | ||||
| Health Care Services2.6% | ||||
| Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings (United States) (a) | Medical Laboratory & Testing Services | 920,000 | $67,592,400 | |
| Pharmaceuticals6.6% | ||||
| GlaxoSmithKline plc (Great Britain) | Pharmaceuticals | 3,483,000 | $91,656,956 | |
| Novartis AG (Switzerland) | Pharmaceuticals | 899,600 | 51,864,506 | |
| Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Japan) | Pharmaceuticals & Food Supplements | 416,000 | 28,559,472 | |
| 172,080,934 | ||||
| Aerospace & Defense0.8% | ||||
| Alliant Techsystems, Inc. (United States) (a) | Propulsion Systems & Munitions | 269,087 | $21,039,912 | |
| Diversified Commercial and Professional Services0.9% | ||||
| Meitec Corporation (Japan) | Software Engineering Services | 760,000 | $23,054,494 | |
| Environmental& Facilities Services1.2% | ||||
| Waste Management, Inc. (United States) | Waste Management Services | 896,400 | $32,960,628 | |
| Human Resource & Employment Services2.0% | ||||
| Adecco SA (Switzerland) | Temporary Employment Services | 783,000 | $53,495,897 | |
| Industrial Conglomerates2.5% | ||||
| Tyco International Ltd. (Bermuda) | Diversified Manufacturing & Services | 2,131,000 | $64,782,400 | |
| Railroads0.8% | ||||
| Union Pacific Corporation (United States) | Rail Transportation Provider | 242,800 | $22,342,456 | |
| Computer Hardware1.6% | ||||
| Dell, Inc. (United States) (a) | Technology Products & Services | 1,635,000 | $41,022,150 | |
| Data Processing & Outsourced Services3.6% | ||||
| eFunds Corporation (United States) (a) | Electronic Debit Payment Services | 1,980,100 | $54,452,750 | |
| Ceridian Corporation (United States) (a) | Data Management Services | 1,438,000 | 40,235,240 | |
| 94,687,990 | ||||
| Home Entertainment Software2.7% | ||||
| Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Japan) | Entertainment Software | 2,718,000 | $71,258,855 | |
| Office Electronics2.0% | ||||
| Neopost SA (France) | Mailroom Equipment Supplier | 424,750 | $53,349,771 | |
| Semiconductors5.2% | ||||
| Rohm Company Limited (Japan) | Integrated Circuits & Semiconductor Devices Manufacturer | 823,988 | $82,049,139 | |
| Intel Corporation (United States) | Computer Component Manufacturer & Designer | 2,705,000 | 54,776,250 | |
| 136,825,389 | ||||
| Systems Software2.7% | ||||
| Oracle Corporation (United States) (a) | Software Services | 4,182,000 | $71,679,480 | |
| Specialty Chemicals0.9% | ||||
| Givaudan (Switzerland) | Fragrance & Flavor Compound Manufacturer | 26,900 | $24,902,093 | |
| Wireless Telecommunication Services7.9% | ||||
| Vodafone Group Plc (Great Britain) | Mobile Telecommunications | 31,650,625 | $87,690,272 | |
| SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (Korea) | Mobile Telecommunications | 302,130 | 72,283,790 | |
| NTT DoCoMo, Inc. (Japan) | Mobile Telecommunications | 29,900 | 47,234,990 | |
| SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (Korea) (b) | Mobile Telecommunications | 55,000 | 1,456,400 | |
| 208,665,452 | ||||
| Total Common Stocks (Cost: $1,976,801,920) | 2,596,927,922 | |||
| Name | Par Value | Market Value | |
| Short Term Investments0.5% | |||
| Repurchase Agreement0.5% | |||
| IBT Repurchase Agreement, 5.01% dated 12/29/2006 due 1/2/2007, repurchase price $12,084,019, collateralized by a Government National Mortgage Association Bond, with a rate of 5.500%, with a maturity date of 9/20/2032, and with a market value plus accrued interest of $9,718,466, and by Small Business Administration Bonds, with rates of 6.250% - 8.625%, with maturities from 4/25/2016 - 2/25/2024, and with an aggregate market value plus accrued interest of $2,962,695 | $12,077,296 | $12,077,296 | |
| Total Repurchase Agreement (Cost: $12,077,296) | 12,077,296 | ||
| Total Short Term Investments (Cost: $12,077,296) | 12,077,296 | ||
| Total Investments (Cost $1,988,879,216)99.0% | $2,609,005,218 | ||
| Other Assets In Excess Of Other Liabilities1.0% | 26,972,127 | ||
| Total Net Assets100% | $2,635,977,345 | ||
| (a) | Non-income producing security. |
| (b) | Represents an American Depository Receipt. |