N-CSRS 1 d49869dncsrs.htm BARINGS GLOBAL SHORT DURATION HIGH YIELD FUND BARINGS GLOBAL SHORT DURATION HIGH YIELD FUND
 
 

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 811-22562

 

 

Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

300 South Tryon Street, Suite 2500, Charlotte, NC 28202

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

Corporation Service Company (CSC)

251 Little Falls Drive

Wilmington, DE 19808

United States

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

704-805-7200

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2025

 

 
 


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

(a)


LOGO

BARINGS GLOBAL SHORT DURATION HIGH YIELD FUND

Semi-Annual Report

2025


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund

c/o Barings LLC

300 S Tryon St.

Suite 2500

Charlotte, NC 28202

704.805.7200

http://www.Barings.com/bgh

ADVISER

Barings LLC

300 S Tryon St.

Suite 2500

Charlotte, NC 28202

SUB-ADVISOR

Baring International Investment Limited

20 Old Bailey

London EC4M 78F UK

COUNSEL TO THE FUND

Dechert LLP

Three Bryant Park

1095 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY, 10036-6797

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

KPMG LLP

620 S. Tryon Street

Suite 1000

Charlotte, NC 28202

CUSTODIAN

US Bank

MK-WI-S302

1555 N. River Center Drive

Milwaukee, WI 53212

TRANSFER AGENT & REGISTRAR

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, d/b/a

U.S. Bank Global Fund Services

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

FUND ADMINISTRATION/ACCOUNTING

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, d/b/a

U.S. Bank Global Fund Services

615 E. Michigan St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

 

 

LOGO

PROXY VOTING POLICIES & PROCEDURES

The Trustees of Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (the “Fund”) have delegated proxy voting responsibilities relating to the voting of securities held by the Fund to Barings LLC (“Barings”). A description of Barings’ proxy voting policies and procedures is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling, toll-free 1-866-399-1516; (2) on the Fund’s website at http://www.barings.com/bgh; and (3) on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at http://www.sec.gov.

FORM N-PORT PART F

The Fund will file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Part F of Form N-PORT. This information is available (1) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov; and (2) at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC (which information on their operation may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330). A complete schedule of portfolio holdings as of each quarter-end is available on the Fund’s website at http://www.barings.com/bgh or upon request by calling, toll-free, 1-866-399-1516.

CERTIFICATIONS

The Fund’s President has submitted to the NYSE the annual CEO Certification as required by Section 303A.12(a) of the NYSE Listed Company Manual.

LEGAL MATTERS

The Fund has entered into contractual arrangements with an investment adviser, transfer agent and custodian (collectively “service providers”) who each provide services to the Fund. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended beneficiaries of, these contractual arrangements, and these contractual arrangements are not intended to create any shareholder right to enforce them against the service providers or to seek any remedy under them against the service providers, either directly or on behalf of the Fund.

Under the Fund’s Bylaws, any claims asserted against or on behalf of the Fund, including claims against Trustees and officers must be brought in courts located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Fund’s registration statement and this shareholder report are not contracts between the Fund and its shareholders and do not give rise to any contractual rights or obligations or any shareholder rights other than any rights conferred explicitly by federal or state securities laws that may not be waived.


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

OFFICERS OF THE FUND

 

 

Sean Feeley

President

Christopher Hanscom

Chief Financial Officer

Andrea Nitzan

Treasurer

Itzbell Branca

Chief Compliance Officer

Ashlee Steinnerd

Chief Legal Officer

Alexandra Pacini

Secretary

Matthew Curtis

Tax Officer

Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund is a closed-end investment company, first offered to the public in 2012, whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE & POLICY

Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (the “Fund”) was organized as a business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, as a de facto diversified, closed-end management investment company with its own investment objective. The Fund’s common shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BGH”.

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek as high a level of current income as the Adviser (as defined herein) determines is consistent with capital preservation. The Fund seeks capital appreciation as a secondary investment objective when consistent with its primary investment objective. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives.

The Fund seeks to take advantage of inefficiencies between geographies, primarily the North American and Western European high yield bond and loan markets and within capital structures between bonds and loans. For example, the Fund seeks to take advantage of differences in pricing between bonds and loans of an issuer denominated in U.S. dollars and substantially similar bonds and loans of the same issuer denominated in Euros, potentially allowing the Fund to achieve a higher relative return for the same credit risk exposure.

 

 

 

 

1


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

We present the 2025 Semi-Annual Report for the Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (the “Fund”) to recap portfolio performance and positioning. We believe our Global High Yield Investments Group is one of the largest teams in the market primarily focused on North American and Western European credit. Utilizing the Group’s unparalleled expertise, deep resources, and time-tested process, we believe we can provide investors with an attractive level of current income to help navigate any market environment which may lie ahead and continue to uncover compelling opportunities across the global high yield market.

The Fund’s strategy focuses primarily on North American and Western European high yield companies, with the flexibility to dynamically shift the geographic weighting to capture, in our opinion, the best risk-adjusted investment opportunities. Barings’ global capabilities on the ground in major markets allow for us to be nimble in uncertain times and take advantage of unique opportunities as they arise. In addition, the strategy focuses closely on limiting the duration of the Fund, while maintaining what we consider to be a reasonable amount of leverage.

Market Review

The first half of 2025 was defined by the market’s effort to digest the sweeping tariffs announced on “Liberation Day.” Although many of these measures were later scaled back or paused for 90 days, uncertainty around trade policy remained the dominant theme. While the long-term effects of these tariffs are still unfolding, we continue to expect a moderate economic slowdown, but no recession.

Adding to the volatility, the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” raised fresh concerns about fiscal sustainability, with estimates suggesting it could add between $200 billion and $600 billion annually to the U.S. budget deficit. Despite these headwinds, the U.S. economy demonstrated notable resilience – consumer spending remained solid, labor market data held steady, and the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged as it weighed the competing forces of inflation and growth.

Total returns were positive across high yield credit markets during the second quarter. Overall, high yield bonds outperformed senior secured loans, driven by credit spread compression as well as declining interest rates in the intermediate part of the yield curve. In both markets, North America outperformed Europe. In the high yield bond market, new issuance activity increased during the second quarter of 2025 (vs. the quarter prior), though most of the transactions on a year-to-date basis have been for refinancing purposes. For loans, primary market activity declined during the second quarter (vs. the quarter prior, although a higher percent of volume came from merger and acquisition related transactions).

Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund Overview and Performance

The Fund ended June 2025 with a portfolio of 181 issuers, in line with year-end levels. From a regional perspective, exposure from year and to June 2025 remained stable, with exposure to the United States remaining at 78.9%; the United Kingdom remains the second largest exposure at 5.7% (See Country Composition chart below). The Fund’s exposure to Rest of World issuers, whose country of risk is outside of the U.S., Asia Pacific and Europe but fit within the Fund’s developed market focus, increased slightly up to 1.6%. The Fund’s primary exposure continues to be in the North American market, which features the most robust opportunity set across fixed income markets.

As of June 30, 2025, the Fund’s positioning across the credit quality spectrum was as follows: 24.7% double-B rated and above, 51.0% single-B rated, and 20.2% triple-C rated and below, with approximately 65.3% of the portfolio consisting of secured obligations. Compared to the end of the prior period, the Fund’s exposure to higher-rated credits decreased slightly, primarily sourced from an increase in single-B rated positions. Non-publicly rated securities represented 3.3%.

The distribution per share was constant throughout the period at $0.1223 per share. The Fund’s share price and net asset value (“NAV”) ended the reporting period at $15.40 and $15.83, respectively, or at an 2.72% discount to NAV. Based on the Fund’s share price and NAV on June 30, 2025, the Fund’s market price and NAV distribution rates – using the most recent monthly dividend, on an annualized basis – were 9.53% and 9.27%, respectively. Assets acquired through leverage, which represented 26.6% of the Fund’s total assets at the end of June, were accretive to net investment income and benefited shareholders.

 

 

 

2


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

On a year-to-date basis through June 30, 2025, the NAV total return for the Fund was 4.44%, outperforming the global high yield bond market, as measured by the ICE Bank of America Non-Financial Developed Markets High Yield Constrained Index (HNDC), which returned 4.10% on a hedged to the U.S. dollar basis. From a market value perspective, the total return year-to-date through June 30, 2025, was 4.63%. The Fund generated positive absolute and relative returns in each quarter to begin the year. The shorter-duration exposure, including floating rate allocations to 1st and 2nd senior secured loans and collateralized loan obligations, continued to benefit results, while the incremental loan exposure also generated increased income, supporting overall returns.

Market Outlook

High yield bonds and loans continue to offer attractive income in a world where uncertainty remains a constant. While fundamentals are holding steady and technicals are broadly supportive, current spread levels suggest there is less margin for error. The outlook is constructive but cautious, with risks ranging from earnings disappointments to geopolitical flare-ups and policy missteps. In this environment, we believe the most compelling opportunities lie in higher-quality segments of the market, where investors can earn meaningful yield without taking on excessive risk. A balanced approach – across fixed and floating-rate assets, and across geographies – may also offer benefits, as it can help mitigate volatility while preserving upside potential and maintaining flexibility to respond to evolving conditions.

As the second half of the year unfolds, active management will be critical. Navigating a market shaped by shifting macro conditions and evolving credit dynamics requires a disciplined, quality-focused approach – and one that can capture the benefits of high yield while also managing the complexities ahead.

At Barings, we remain committed to focusing on corporate fundamentals as market sentiment can change quickly and unexpectedly. Our focused and disciplined approach emphasizes our fundamental bottom-up research, with the goal of preserving investor capital while seeking to capture attractive capital appreciation opportunities that may exist through market and economic cycles. On behalf of the Barings team, we continue to take a long-term view of investing and look forward to helping you achieve your investment goals.

Sincerely,

 

LOGO

Sean Feeley

 

1. 

Ratings are based on Moody’s, S&P and Fitch. If securities are rated differently by the rating agencies, the higher rating is applied, and all ratings are converted to the equivalent Moody’s major rating category for purposes of the category shown. Credit ratings are based largely on the rating agency’s investment analysis at the time of rating and the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuer’s current financial condition. The rating assigned to a security by a rating agency does not necessarily reflect its assessment of the volatility of the security’s market value or of the liquidity of an investment in the security. Ratings of Baa3 or higher by Moody’s and BBB- or higher by S&P and Fitch are considered to be investment grade quality.

 

2. 

Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Current performance may be lower or higher. All performance is net of fees, which is inclusive of advisory fees, administrator fees and interest expenses.

 

 

 

3


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

PORTFOLIO COMPOSITION (% OF ASSETS*)

LOGO

 

*

The percentages shown above represent a percentage of the assets. As of June 30, 2025.

COUNTRY COMPOSITION (% OF ASSETS*)

LOGO

 

*

The percentages shown above represent a percentage of the assets. As of June 30, 2025.

 

 

 

4


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

LOGO

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURNS JUNE 30, 2025    1 YEAR      5 YEAR      10 YEAR  

Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (BGH)

     11.30      12.45      6.76

ICE Bank of America Non-Financial Developed Markets High Yield Constrained Index (HNDC)

     10.11      5.99      5.32

 

*

Inception date October 25, 2012.

Data for Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (the “Fund”) represents returns based on the change in the Fund’s net asset value assuming the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. These returns differ from the total investment return based on market value of the Fund’s shares due to the difference between the Fund’s net asset value of its shares outstanding (See the Fund’s Financial Highlights within this report for total investment return based on market value). Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

ICE Bank of America Non-Financial Developed Markets High Yield Constrained Index (HNDC) contains all securities in the ICE Bank of America Global High Yield Index that are non-financials and from developed markets countries, but caps issuer exposure at 2%. Developed markets is defined as an FX G10 member, a Western European nation, or a territory of the U.S. or a Western European nation. Indices are unmanaged. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of the Fund shares.

 

 

 

5


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

FINANCIAL REPORT

 

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities   7
Statement of Operations   8
Statement of Cash Flows   9
Statements of Changes in Net Assets   10
Financial Highlights   11
Schedule of Investments   12-23
Notes to the Financial Statements   24-40
Fund Dividend Reinvestment Plan   41
Joint Privacy Notice   42

 

 

 

6


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 

(Unaudited)

 

      JUNE 30, 2025  
Assets   

Investments, at fair value (cost $432,715,461)

   $ 427,390,252  

Cash and cash equivalents

     7,447,377  

Foreign currency, at fair value (cost $2,093,860)

     2,097,172  

Interest receivable

     8,671,571  

Receivable for investments sold

     23,733  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     2,154,200  
  

 

 

 

Total assets

     447,784,305  
  

 

 

 
Liabilities   

Credit facility

     118,500,000  

Payable for investments purchased

     7,992,557  

Dividend payable

     2,453,865  

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

     1,222,259  

Payable to adviser

     302,534  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign exchange contracts

     1,770,319  
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     132,241,534  
  

 

 

 

Total net assets

   $ 315,542,771  
  

 

 

 
Net assets:   

Common shares, $0.00001 par value

   $ 201  

Additional paid-in capital

     463,743,506  

Total accumulated loss

     (148,200,936
  

 

 

 

Total net assets

   $ 315,542,771  
  

 

 

 

Common shares issued and outstanding (unlimited shares authorized)

     20,064,313  
  

 

 

 

Net asset value per share

   $ 15.73  
  

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

7


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

(Unaudited)

 

     

PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 2025
THROUGH

JUNE 30, 2025

 
Investment Income   

Interest income

   $ 20,597,264  

Other income

     48,532  
  

 

 

 

Total investment income

     20,645,796  
  

 

 

 
Operating Expenses   

Interest expense

     3,775,010  

Advisory fees

     1,881,517  

Accounting and administration fees

     205,017  

Professional fees

     177,254  

Other operating expenses

     86,047  

Trustee fees

     67,404  
  

 

 

 

Total expenses

     6,192,249  
  

 

 

 

Net expenses

     6,192,249  
  

 

 

 

Net investment income

     14,453,547  
  

 

 

 
Realized losses and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions   

Net realized gain on investments

     1,570,369  

Net realized loss on forward foreign exchange contracts

     (5,243,150

Net realized gain on foreign currency related transactions

     426,890  
  

 

 

 

Net realized loss on investments, forward foreign exchange contracts and foreign currency transactions

     (3,245,891
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

     4,649,999  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on forward foreign exchange contracts

     (2,700,741

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency transactions

     173,183  
  

 

 

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, forward foreign exchange contracts and foreign currency transactions

     2,122,441  
  

 

 

 
Net realized loss and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency transactions      (1,123,450
  

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 13,330,097  
  

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

8


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

(Unaudited)

 

     

PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 2025
THROUGH

JUNE 30, 2025

 
Cash flows from operating activities   

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

   $ 13,330,097  

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

  

Purchases of long-term investments

     (94,625,366

Proceeds from sales and paydowns of long-term investments

     126,327,419  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

     (4,649,999

Net change in unrealized appreciation on foreign currency transactions

     (173,183

Net realized gain on investments

     (1,570,369

Net realized loss on forward foreign exchange contracts

     5,243,150  

Net realized gain on foreign currency related transactions

     (426,890

Payment in-kind interest

     (803,766

Amortization and accretion

     (664,423

Payments for forward foreign exchange contracts

     (7,650,931

Proceeds from forward foreign exchange contracts

     2,407,781  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on forward foreign exchange contracts

     2,700,741  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

  

Decrease in interest receivable

     233,902  

Increase in prepaid expenses and other assets

     (1,979,516

Decrease in payable to Adviser

     (27,661

Decrease in excise tax payable on undistributed income

     (1,017,542

Increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities

     414,655  
  

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     37,078,099  
  

 

 

 
Cash flows from financing activities   

Advances from credit facility

     4,000,000  

Repayments on credit facility

     (30,000,000

Distributions paid to common shareholders

     (14,733,194
  

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

     (40,733,194
  

 

 

 

Net change in cash

     (3,655,095

Cash and cash equivalents (including foreign currency), beginning of period

     13,199,644  
  

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents (including foreign currency), end of period

   $ 9,544,549  
  

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

  

Excise taxes paid

   $ 1,017,542  

Interest paid

     3,433,398  

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

9


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

 

     

PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 2025
THROUGH

JUNE 30, 2025

(Unaudited)

     YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2024
 
Operations      

Net investment income

   $ 14,453,547      $ 29,224,714  

Net realized loss on investments, forward foreign exchange contracts and foreign currency transactions

     (3,245,891      (11,514,944

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, forward foreign exchange contracts and foreign currency translation

     2,122,441        24,351,349  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

     13,330,097        42,061,119  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Distributions to common shareholders      

From distributable earnings

     (14,723,193      (30,108,508
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Distributions to common shareholders

     (14,723,193      (30,108,508
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

     (1,393,096      11,952,611  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
Net assets      

Beginning of period

     316,935,867        304,983,256  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

End of period

   $ 315,542,771      $ 316,935,867  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

10


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

    

PERIOD FROM
JANUARY 1, 2025
THROUGH

JUNE 30, 2025

(Unaudited)

    YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2024
    YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2023
    YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2022
    YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2021
    YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
2020
 
Per Common Share Data            

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 15.80     $ 15.20     $ 14.26     $ 17.88     $ 16.68     $ 18.32  

Income from investment operations:

           

Net investment income

    0.85       1.59       1.49       1.46       1.72       1.59  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency transactions

    (0.19     0.51       0.88       (3.81     0.75       (1.86
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total increase (decrease) from investment operations

    0.66       2.10       2.37       (2.35     2.47       (0.27
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less distributions to common stockholders:

           

Net investment income

    (0.73     (1.50     (1.43     (1.27     (1.27     (1.37
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total distributions to common stockholders

    (0.73     (1.50     (1.43     (1.27     (1.27     (1.37
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 15.73     $ 15.80     $ 15.20     $ 14.26     $ 17.88     $ 16.68  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per common share market value, end of period

  $ 15.40     $ 15.44     $ 13.44     $ 12.68     $ 17.34     $ 15.09  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return based on net asset value (1)

    4.44     14.92     19.23     (12.88 )%      15.71     0.79
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investment return based on market value (1)

    4.63     27.01     18.09     (19.98 )%      23.97     (4.65 )% 
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Supplemental Data and Ratios            

Net assets, end of period (000’s)

  $ 315,543     $ 316,936     $ 304,983     $ 286,042     $ 358,672     $ 334,576  

Ratio of expenses (before reductions and reimbursements) to average net assets

    3.96     4.06     3.95     2.73 % (2)      2.17 % (2)      2.32 % (2) 

Ratio of expenses (after reductions and reimbursements) to average net assets

    3.97     4.08     3.95     2.60     1.95     2.23

Ratio of net investment income (before reductions and reimbursements) to average net assets

    9.25     9.20     9.98     9.17 % (2)      8.54 % (2)      10.53 (2) 

Ratio of net investment income (after reductions and reimbursements) to average net assets

    9.25     9.20     9.98     9.31     8.76     10.61

Portfolio turnover rate

    28.88     70.34     49.94     34.04     52.08     42.21

 

(1)   Total investment return calculation assumes reinvestment of dividends at actual prices pursuant to the Fund’s dividend reinvestment plan. Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions.
(2)   Effective August 6, 2020 the Adviser began waiving a portion of it’s management and other fees equal to an annual rate of 0.150% of the Fund’s managed assets. The waiver expired on August 31, 2022 (see Note 3).

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

11


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

                   SHARES     COST    

FAIR

VALUE

 

Equities* — 0.05%:

         

Common Stocks — 0.05%:

         

Cohesity¤

        3,755       $58,936       $84,488  

Cohesity¤

        2,595       40,730       58,388  

Flint Group Ordinary A Shares Stapled to 2L¤+

        1,395,572       149       0  

ESC CB 144A High Ridge¤

        2,982       0       0  

Travelex Private Equity Stapled to 12.5% New Money Notes¤+

        16,764       1       0  

Naviera Armas¤+

        14,621,136       0       0  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks

        16,042,804       99,816       142,876  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Warrant — 0.00%:

         

Travelex Topco Limited¤+

        2,218       0       3,045  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Warrant

        2,218       0       3,045  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         

Total Equities

        16,045,022       99,816       145,921  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     EFFECTIVE
INTEREST RATE 
    DUE DATE     PRINCIPAL     COST    

FAIR

VALUE

 

Fixed Income — 135.40%:

         

Asset-Backed Securities — 7.42%:

         

CDO/CLO — 7.42%:

 

       

610 FDG 2016-2R CLO LTD, 3M SOFR + 7.510%+~^#

    11.78     1/20/2034       $1,550,000       $1,534,190       $1,552,728  

Anchorage Capital CLO LTD, 3M SOFR + 7.000%+^~#

    11.27       1/20/2035       1,000,000       1,000,000       977,843  

Ares CLO LTD, 3M SOFR + 6.750%+^~#

    11.03       10/28/2034       1,700,000       1,700,000       1,704,080  

Bain CAP CR CLO 2020-2R LTD, 3M SOFR + 6.610%+~^#

    11.14       7/19/2034       1,000,000       990,000       986,639  

Canyon Capital, 3M SOFR + 4.75%+^~#

    9.01       4/15/2038       1,175,000       1,175,000       1,162,927  

Canyon Capital, 3M SOFR + 6.000+^~#

    10.26       10/15/2034       1,000,000       1,000,000       975,491  

Carbone CLO, LTD 2017-1A, 3M SOFR + 5.900%+~^#

    10.43       1/20/2031       750,000       750,000       747,687  

CIFC Funding 2020-1 LTD, 3M SOFR + 6.250%+~^#

    10.77       7/15/2036       1,900,000       1,900,000       1,905,064  

KKR Financial CLO LTD 2017-20, 3M SOFR + 5.500%+~^#

    10.02       10/16/2030       1,500,000       1,500,000       1,476,663  

KKR Financial CLO LTD 34-2, 3M SOFR + 6.850%+~^#

    11.37       7/15/2034       2,000,000       1,980,000       1,957,764  

Madison Park Funding LTD XXXV 2019-35R E-R, 3M SOFR + 6.100%+~^#

    10.63       4/20/2032       1,400,000       1,400,000       1,400,722  

Octagon 2021-57 LTD, 3M SOFR + 6.600%+~^#

    11.12       10/15/2034       1,500,000       1,500,000       1,485,512  

Sixth Street CLO LTD, 3M SOFR + 5.000%+^~#

    9.32       7/17/2038       1,500,000       1,500,000       1,500,000  

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

12


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

     EFFECTIVE
INTEREST RATE 
    DUE DATE     PRINCIPAL     COST    

FAIR

VALUE

 

Asset-Backed Securities (Continued)

         

CDO/CLO (Continued)

         

Sound Point CLO XVIII 2018-18D, 3M SOFR + 5.500%+~^#

    10.03     1/21/2031       $2,000,000       $2,000,000       $1,370,000  

Sound Point CLO LTD 2020-27R, 3M SOFR + 6.560% E-R+~^#

    11.10       10/25/2034       1,400,000       1,372,000       1,301,698  

Symphony Asset Management LLC, 3M SOFR + 5.400%+^~#

    9.69       7/20/2038       1,000,000       1,000,000       992,305  

Wind River 2017-1A ER, 3M SOFR + 7.060%+~^#

    11.59       4/18/2036       2,000,000       1,960,000       1,901,184  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total CDO/CLO

        24,375,000       24,261,190       23,398,307  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         

Total Asset-Backed Securities

        24,375,000       24,261,190       23,398,307  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Bank Loans§ — 22.15%:

 

Beverage, Food and Tobacco — 0.80%:

 

8th Avenue Food & Provisions, 3M SOFR + 7.7500%~

    12.19       10/1/2026       368,204       305,499       366,548  

Sizzling Platter, 3M SOFR + 5.000%~

    9.32       6/25/2032       1,870,187       1,814,081       1,814,081  

Sizzling Platter, 3M SOFR + 5.000%~

    9.32       6/25/2032       352,035       341,474       341,474  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Beverage, Food and Tobacco

        2,590,426       2,461,054       2,522,103  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Broadcasting and Entertainment — 1.73%:

 

Cox Media Group, 3M SOFR + 3.5000%~

    7.90       6/18/2029       709,996       657,199       686,133  

Learfield Communications, Inc., 3M SOFR + 5.0000%~

    8.82       6/30/2028       3,430,859       3,369,256       3,450,586  

Twitter

    9.50       2/14/2030       1,347,549       1,339,429       1,309,373  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Broadcasting and Entertainment

        5,488,404       5,365,884       5,446,092  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Chemicals, Plastics and Rubber — 0.89%:

 

Flint Group 2L, 3M EURIBOR + 6.9000% PIK and 0.1000% Cash~

    11.55       12/31/2027       1,912,763       767,080       131,502  

ICP Group 3M SOFR + 3.7500%~

    8.31       1/31/2028       908,797       830,540       790,654  

Prince 3M SOFR + 4.2500%~

    8.69       3/30/2029       2,182,808       2,142,951       1,901,466  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Chemicals, Plastics and Rubber

        5,004,368       3,740,571       2,823,622  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Containers, Packaging and Glass — 1.19%:

 

Five Star, 3M SOFR + 4.2500%~

    8.56       5/7/2029       1,984,694       1,958,487       1,978,085  

Trident Parent, LLC, 3M SOFR + 3.7500%~

    8.05       9/15/2028       1,814,107       1,761,599       1,779,875  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Containers, Packaging and Glass

        3,798,801       3,720,086       3,757,960  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diversified/Conglomerate Service — 1.40%:

 

Internet Brands, Inc., 3M SOFR + 4.2500%~

    8.58       4/20/2028       1,397,294       1,371,376       1,309,530  

Internet Brands, Inc., 3M SOFR + 4.2500%~

    8.58       12/11/2031       2,935,712       2,896,368       2,544,294  

Sabre Holdings Corporation, 3M SOFR + 5.0000%~

    9.43       6/30/2028       556,328       532,099       550,765  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Diversified/Conglomerate Service

        4,889,334       4,799,843       4,404,589  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

13


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

     EFFECTIVE
INTEREST RATE 
    DUE DATE     PRINCIPAL     COST    

FAIR

VALUE

 

Bank Loans§ (Continued)

 

Electronics — 1.73%:

 

Precisely 3M SOFR + 4.0000%~

    8.55     4/24/2028       $5,776,152       $5,705,635       $5,465,684  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Electronics

        5,776,152       5,705,635       5,465,684  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance — 5.71%:

 

Aspen Insurance Holdings LTD.¤

    9.25       10/15/2028       2,765,731       2,738,074       2,740,840  

Aspen Insurance Holdings LTD.¤+

    9.25       10/15/2028       4,523,873       4,485,247       4,483,158  

Cohesity

    7.75       11/1/2031       2,738,000       2,738,000       2,758,535  

Cohesity, 3M SOFR + 4.0000%~

    8.29       10/30/2031       2,713,806       2,686,668       2,714,648  

Kidde Global Solutions, 3M SOFR + 4.2500%~

    8.57       10/31/2031       2,159,821       2,138,223       2,169,281  

Sunbelt Solomon, 3M SOFR + 4.2500%~

    8.58       10/16/2031       3,150,950       3,119,441       3,150,950  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Finance

        18,052,181       17,905,653       18,017,412  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals — 3.00%:

 

Bausch Health Companies, 3M SOFR + 6.2500%~

    10.59       9/25/2030       3,299,633       3,210,560       3,175,369  

DuPage Medical Group Limited, 3M SOFR + 3.000%~

    7.56       3/13/2028       863,491       804,097       801,605  

NAPA Management Services Corp, 3M SOFR + 5.250%~

    9.68       2/23/2029       1,268,445       1,191,268       1,014,122  

Radiology Partners, 3M SOFR + 4.500%¤~

    8.82       6/25/2032       2,147,257       2,125,784       2,128,468  

Summit Behavioral Healthcare, 3M SOFR + 4.250%~

    8.55       11/24/2028       1,331,242       1,118,779       998,432  

Team Health, 3M SOFR + 5.2500%~

    9.54       3/2/2027       1,342,495       1,317,806       1,333,890  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

        10,252,563       9,768,294       9,451,886  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Healthcare, Education and Childcare — 0.47%:

 

LifePoint Health, 3M SOFR + 3.7500%~

    8.05       5/16/2031       867,814       866,729       857,643  

Medical Solutions T/L, 3M SOFR + 7.0000%~

    11.39       9/22/2027       1,473,684       1,458,947       621,408  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Healthcare, Education and Childcare

        2,341,498       2,325,676       1,479,051  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

High Tech Industries — 0.41%:

 

McAfee Enterprise, 3M SOFR + 1.5000% (6.35% PIK)~

    11.54       7/27/2028       21,146       21,146       9,738  

Quest Software, 3M SOFR + 6.000%~

    10.33       2/1/2029       266,001       247,814       273,316  

Quest Software, 3M SOFR + 4.250%~

    8.73       2/1/2029       1,226,101       1,008,442       1,022,262  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total High Tech Industries

        1,513,248       1,277,402       1,305,316  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Home and Office Furnishings, Housewares, and Durable Consumer Products — 0.35%:

 

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Pub Inc, 3M SOFR + 5.2500%~

    9.67       4/4/2029       1,140,207       1,125,887       1,112,272  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Home and Office Furnishings, Housewares, and Durable Consumer Products

        1,140,207       1,125,887       1,112,272  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

14


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

     EFFECTIVE
INTEREST RATE 
    DUE DATE     PRINCIPAL     COST    

FAIR

VALUE

 

Bank Loans§ (Continued)

 

Oil and Gas — 0.43%:

 

Ngl Energy Finance Corp. 3M SOFR + 3.7500%~

    8.08     1/27/2031       $1,361,834       $1,351,620       $1,349,428  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Oil and Gas

        1,361,834       1,351,620       1,349,428  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Packaging and Containers — 0.46%:

 

Pretium Package Holdings 2nd Lien T/L (9/21), 3M SOFR + 6.7500%~

    11.31       9/21/2029       2,770,637       2,760,344       430,834  

Valcour Packaging (MOLD-RITE), 3M SOFR + 1.5000% (2.25% PIK)~

    5.95       10/10/2028       1,176,865       999,305       1,012,103  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Packaging and Containers

        3,947,502       3,759,649       1,442,937  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Printing and Publishing — 0.54%:

 

Nielsen Holdings Ltd., 3M SOFR + 5.0000%~

    9.33       4/11/2029       1,809,657       1,658,109       1,707,212  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Printing and Publishing

        1,809,657       1,658,109       1,707,212  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Services: Business — 1.05%:

 

Sabre, 1M SOFR + 6.0000%~

    10.43       11/15/2029       806,945       809,794       803,314  

Sabre Global, 3M SOFR + 3.500%~

    7.94       12/17/2027       291,352       289,167       285,732  

Sabre Global, 3M SOFR + 3.500%~

    7.94       12/17/2027       249,648       247,775       244,832  

The Fidelis Partnership, 3M SOFR + 5.0000%¤~

    9.32       12/31/2031       1,990,000       1,980,050       1,980,647  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Services: Business

        3,337,945       3,326,786       3,314,525  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Telecommunication — 1.99%:

 

BMC Software, 3M SOFR + 5.7500%~

    10.07       7/2/2032       5,505,564       5,456,334       5,343,865  

Marlink, 3M SOFR + 3.750%~

    8.32       6/28/2029       0       0       0  

Zayo Group, 3M SOFR + 3.0000%~

    7.44       3/9/2027       1,000,000       956,324       949,200  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Telecommunication

        6,505,564       6,412,658       6,293,065  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         

Total Bank Loans

        77,809,684       74,704,807       69,893,154  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Convertible Bond — 0.38%:

         

Retail Store — 0.38%:

         

Ocado Group PLC+#

    6.25       8/6/2029       1,372,646       1,290,154       1,211,214  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Retail Store

        1,372,646       1,290,154       1,211,214  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
         

Total Convertible Bond

        1,372,646       1,290,154       1,211,214  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds — 105.45%:

         

Aerospace and Defense — 1.42%:

         

American Airlines^

    8.50       5/15/2029       $858,000       $858,000       $899,404  

Spirit AeroSystems Inc^

    9.75       11/15/2030       2,577,000       2,625,758       2,842,011  

Triumph Group, Inc.^

    9.00       3/15/2028       709,000       709,000       740,916  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Aerospace and Defense

        4,144,000       4,192,758       4,482,331  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

15


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

     EFFECTIVE
INTEREST RATE 
    DUE DATE     PRINCIPAL     COST    

FAIR

VALUE

 

Corporate Bonds (Continued)

         

Automobile — 2.16%:

 

Adient PLC+^

    8.25     4/15/2031       $870,000       $870,000       $914,096  

Forvia SE+#

    5.63       6/15/2030       530,079       490,479       530,742  

INA-Holding Schaeffler GmbH & Co KG+#

    7.00       11/15/2031       1,430,036       1,299,806       1,508,985  

J.B. Poindexter & Co. Inc.^

    8.75       12/15/2031       3,013,000       3,002,431       3,059,711  

NFI Group^

    9.25       7/1/2030       200,000       200,000       210,865  

ZF Friedrichshafen+

    7.00       6/12/2030       588,977       570,672       590,249  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Automobile

        6,632,092       6,433,388       6,814,648  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Banking — 0.09%:

 

Macquarie Airfinance Holdings Ltd.+^

    8.13       3/30/2029       281,000       281,000       293,923  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Banking

        281,000       281,000       293,923  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Beverage, Food and Tobacco — 1.07%:

 

Sizzling Platter^#

    9.50       7/1/2032       671,000       671,000       685,556  

La Doria SpA, 3M EURIBOR + 4.5000%+~

    6.69       11/12/2029       647,874       590,015       649,587  

Rise Baking^

    8.63       11/1/2031       2,091,000       2,090,162       2,045,465  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Beverage, Food and Tobacco

        3,409,874       3,351,177       3,380,608  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Broadcasting and Entertainment — 3.87%:

 

Altice USA Inc.^

    11.75       1/31/2029       2,723,000       2,687,413       2,591,046  

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings Inc.^

    9.00       9/15/2028       708,000       708,000       744,684  

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings Inc.^

    7.75       4/15/2028       3,337,000       3,382,129       3,153,465  

Connect Finco Sarl+^

    9.00       9/15/2029       1,186,000       1,186,000       1,192,094  

Cox Media Group^

    8.88       6/18/2029       744,000       560,549       701,019  

Directv^

    10.00       2/15/2031       588,000       588,000       570,147  

Dish Dbs Corporation

    7.38       7/1/2028       2,000,000       1,666,148       1,435,023  

Dish Network Corporation^

    11.75       11/15/2027       1,770,000       1,767,246       1,824,466  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Broadcasting and Entertainment

        13,056,000       12,545,485       12,211,944  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Buildings and Real Estate — 4.65%:

 

Knife River Corporation^

    7.75       5/1/2031       2,107,000       2,120,791       2,221,705  

Maison Hold Limited+#

    6.00       10/31/2027       2,458,409       2,350,500       2,427,504  

Service Properties Trust

    8.38       6/15/2029       673,000       666,277       700,066  

Service Properties Trust

    8.88       6/15/2032       2,330,000       2,201,853       2,396,666  

Smyrna Ready Mix Concrete^

    8.88       11/15/2031       3,359,000       3,400,721       3,522,103  

The New Home Company^

    9.25       10/1/2029       1,369,000       1,429,940       1,419,739  

Wilsonart LLC^

    11.00       8/15/2032       2,187,000       2,168,653       1,986,724  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Buildings and Real Estate

        14,483,409       14,338,735       14,674,507  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cargo Transport — 4.93%:

 

Atlas Corporation+^

    5.50       8/1/2029       4,786,000       4,154,664       4,549,464  

Carriage Purchaser Inc.^

    7.88       10/15/2029       7,106,000       6,526,524       6,316,295  

OneSky Flight, LLC^

    8.88       12/15/2029       1,663,000       1,673,068       1,731,650  

Railworks Hldgs Lp / Railworks Sr^

    8.25       11/15/2028       2,881,000       2,836,027       2,950,614  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Cargo Transport

        16,436,000       15,190,283       15,548,023  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

16


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

     EFFECTIVE
INTEREST RATE 
    DUE DATE     PRINCIPAL     COST    

FAIR

VALUE

 

Corporate Bonds (Continued)

         

Chemicals, Plastics and Rubber — 4.51%:

 

Bausch Health Companies+^

    10.00     4/15/2032       $2,000,000       $2,012,246       $2,018,000  

Consolidated Energy Finance SA+^

    6.50       5/15/2026       492,000       474,363       477,432  

Consolidated Energy Finance SA+^

    12.00       2/15/2031       447,000       423,200       439,299  

Ineos+#

    5.63       8/15/2030       117,795       104,105       114,469  

Monitchem HoldCo+#

    8.75       5/1/2028       712,662       650,934       720,051  

Monitchem HoldCo, 3M EURIBOR + 5.2500%+~#

    7.23       5/1/2028       135,465       124,139       133,593  

Prince^

    9.00       2/15/2030       4,491,000       4,428,580       3,025,576  

Proman AG+^

    5.63       10/15/2028       6,020,000       5,102,467       5,161,491  

Windsor Holdings III LLC^

    8.50       6/15/2030       2,000,000       2,000,000       2,141,324  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Chemicals, Plastics and Rubber

        16,415,922       15,320,034       14,231,235  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Construction and Building — 0.40%:

 

QXO, Inc.^

    6.75       4/30/2032       1,241,000       1,241,000       1,277,798  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Construction and Building

        1,241,000       1,241,000       1,277,798  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consumer Goods: Durable — 0.19%:

 

Newell Brands Inc.^

    8.50       6/1/2028       583,000       583,000       612,250  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consumer Goods: Durable

        583,000       583,000       612,250  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Containers, Packaging and Glass — 6.11%:

 

Mauser Packaging Solutions^

    7.88       4/15/2027       5,197,000       5,197,000       5,283,119  

Mauser Packaging Solutions^

    7.88       8/15/2026       1,006,000       1,003,813       1,004,268  

Novolex Holdings, Inc.^

    8.75       4/15/2030       7,423,000       6,907,580       7,591,697  

SCI Packaging Inc.^

    9.25       4/15/2027       1,327,000       1,268,822       1,317,696  

Trident Parent, LLC^

    12.75       12/31/2028       3,428,000       3,543,022       3,636,275  

Trivium+#

    6.63       7/15/2030       424,063       407,484       438,280  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Containers, Packaging, and Glass

        18,805,063       18,327,721       19,271,335  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diversified/Conglomerate Manufacturing — 1.13%:

 

Alta Equipment Group^

    9.00       6/1/2029       2,046,000       2,001,704       1,908,207  

IMA, 3M EURIBOR + 3.7500%+~

    6.03       4/15/2029       1,637,355       1,490,145       1,645,868  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Diversified/Conglomerate Manufacturing

        3,683,355       3,491,849       3,554,075  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diversified/Conglomerate Service — 14.86%:

 

Citrix EM^

    9.00       9/30/2029       9,615,000       9,462,400       9,955,370  

Citrix EM^

    8.25       6/30/2032       1,259,000       1,259,000       1,339,407  

Engineering Group, 3M EURIBOR + 5.7500%+~

    8.11       2/15/2030       553,638       489,272       563,875  

Engineering Group+#

    11.13       5/15/2028       1,749,261       1,627,861       1,847,919  

Global Infrastructure Solutions, Inc.^

    7.50       4/15/2032       6,554,000       6,078,558       6,680,210  

Icahn Enterprises LP

    9.00       6/15/2030       10,709,000       10,703,678       10,033,634  

Icahn Enterprises LP^

    10.00       11/15/2029       2,377,000       2,377,000       2,353,077  

Jacobs Entertainment Inc^

    6.75       2/15/2029       1,000,000       940,395       957,960  

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

17


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

     EFFECTIVE
INTEREST RATE 
    DUE DATE     PRINCIPAL     COST    

FAIR

VALUE

 

Corporate Bonds (Continued)

         

Diversified/Conglomerate Service (Continued)

 

Mangrove Luxco III Sarl, 3M EURIBOR + 5.0000%+~

    7.28     7/15/2029       $1,001,260       $909,922       $1,007,645  

Sabre Holdings Corporation^

    8.63       6/1/2027       995,000       940,842       1,019,842  

Sabre Holdings Corporation^

    10.75       11/15/2029       2,752,000       2,472,734       2,827,807  

Sinclair Television Group Inc^

    8.13       2/15/2033       967,000       968,342       978,701  

Summer BC Holdco+

    9.25       10/31/2027       1,963,569       2,056,337       1,963,961  

Verisure Midholding AB+#

    7.13       2/1/2028       1,077,827       994,381       1,119,644  

Verisure Midholding+

    5.25       2/15/2029       4,211,184       4,322,136       4,226,975  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Diversified/Conglomerate Service

        46,784,739       45,602,858       46,876,027  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Electricity — 0.51%:

 

XPLR Infrastructure Operating Partners LP^

    8.38       1/15/2031       718,000       718,000       765,782  

XPLR Infrastructure Operating Partners LP^

    8.63       3/15/2033       789,000       789,000       845,889  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Electricity

        1,507,000       1,507,000       1,611,671  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Finance — 8.45%:

 

Arrow Global+

    9.63       12/15/2029       823,588       760,774       837,442  

Arrow Global, 3M EURIBOR + 5.2500%+~#

    7.48       12/15/2029       882,287       757,605       880,081  

Arrow Global+#

    7.63       12/15/2029       167,269       161,375       169,151  

Cable & Wireless Comm Limited+^

    9.00       1/15/2033       1,988,000       1,972,059       2,035,960  

Cerved+

    6.00       2/15/2029       609,002       534,055       589,081  

Cetera Financial Group^

    10.00       8/15/2030       1,107,000       1,107,000       1,216,588  

CPUK Finance LTD+#

    7.88       8/28/2029       686,323       624,774       713,660  

Galaxy Bidco Ltd.+#

    8.13       12/19/2029       864,767       803,346       880,015  

Grand City Properties+#

    6.13       4/16/2174       937,651       833,146       966,596  

Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. (HASI)^

    8.00       6/15/2027       428,000       428,000       445,914  

Jefferson Capital^

    9.50       2/15/2029       3,000,000       3,050,679       3,165,426  

Jefferson Capital^

    8.25       5/15/2030       723,000       723,000       748,929  

OneMain Finance Corporation

    7.88       3/15/2030       600,000       596,478       636,998  

PRA Group^

    8.38       2/1/2028       4,518,000       4,346,142       4,636,597  

PRA Group^

    8.88       1/31/2030       2,000,000       1,992,500       2,062,390  

Sable International+^

    7.13       10/15/2032       1,272,000       1,272,000       1,275,221  

Travelex(12.50%PIK)¤+

    12.50       3/31/2029       4,954,646       4,737,210       5,004,193  

Travelex¤+#>

    8.00       5/15/2026       5,418,586       5,097,344       0  

TVL FINANCE PLC, 3M EURIBOR + 3.7500%+~

    6.11       6/30/2030       412,284       375,847       399,917  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Finance

        31,392,403       30,173,334       26,664,159  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals — 3.65%:

 

Advanz Pharma+#

    9.13       10/27/2031       2,264,866       2,131,728       2,311,052  

Bayer+

    7.00       9/25/2083       1,060,158       1,004,712       1,139,936  

Grifols+

    7.13       5/1/2030       1,283,969       1,143,841       1,332,262  

Neopharmed+#

    7.13       4/8/2030       270,929       250,395       283,815  

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

18


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

     EFFECTIVE
INTEREST RATE 
    DUE DATE     PRINCIPAL     COST    

FAIR

VALUE

 

Corporate Bonds (Continued)

         

Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals (Continued)

 

Radiology Partners^#

    8.50     7/15/2032       $3,196,000       $3,196,000       $3,203,990  

Team Health (4.50% PIK)^

    13.50       6/30/2028       3,007,173       3,304,364       3,255,264  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals

        11,083,095       11,031,040       11,526,319  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Healthcare, Education and Childcare — 9.03%:

 

Bausch Health Companies Inc.+^

    14.00       10/15/2030       118,000       145,352       103,250  

Community Health System Inc.^

    10.88       1/15/2032       4,111,000       4,203,040       4,357,845  

Community Health System Inc.^

    6.88       4/15/2029       286,000       286,000       228,042  

Fortrea^#

    7.50       7/1/2030       1,790,000       1,657,379       1,620,264  

LifePoint Health Inc.^

    9.88       8/15/2030       2,140,000       2,138,189       2,314,235  

LifePoint Health Inc.^

    11.00       10/15/2030       3,057,000       3,105,935       3,371,412  

LifePoint Health Inc.^

    10.00       6/1/2032       3,407,000       3,383,334       3,498,703  

Neogen Corporation^

    8.63       7/20/2030       2,636,000       2,665,349       2,725,540  

Nidda BondCo GmbH+#

    5.63       2/21/2030       1,015,396       942,901       1,034,699  

Nidda BondCo GmbH, 3M EURIBOR + 3.7500%+~

    5.89       10/23/2030       816,322       758,040       818,645  

Radiology Partners Inc. (9.78% PIK)^

    9.78       2/15/2030       6,978,020       7,210,638       6,855,905  

Recordati, 3M EURIBOR + 3.8750%+~#

    6.23       12/31/2029       499,768       460,991       504,608  

Star Parent Inc^

    9.00       10/1/2030       1,000,000       1,033,486       1,051,819  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Healthcare, Education and Childcare

        27,854,506       27,990,634       28,484,967  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

High Tech Industries — 2.37%:

 

Athenahealth, Inc.+#

    9.00       12/18/2029       1,441,849       1,443,350       1,608,001  

Hughes Satellite Systems Corp

    10.75       11/30/2029       5,712,000       6,106,780       5,875,363  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total High Tech Industries

        7,153,849       7,550,130       7,483,364  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Home and Office Furnishings, Housewares, and Durable Consumer Products — 0.93%:

 

Staples Inc.^

    10.75       9/1/2029       939,000       930,183       892,589  

Staples Inc.^

    12.75       1/15/2030       3,055,898       3,104,097       2,058,400  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Home and Office Furnishings, Housewares, and Durable Consumer Products

        3,994,898       4,034,280       2,950,989  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Hotels, Motels, Inns and Gaming — 2.35%:

 

888 Acquisitions LTD, 3M EURIBOR + 5.500%+~#

    7.78       7/15/2028       1,647,957       1,439,163       1,637,449  

Full House Resorts^

    8.25       2/15/2028       2,083,000       2,061,664       2,024,277  

Motel One+

    7.75       4/2/2031       1,177,953       1,149,359       1,262,509  

TUI Cruises+#

    6.25       4/15/2029       412,284       376,057       429,290  

Voyager Parent LLC (fka IGT/Everi)^

    9.25       7/1/2032       1,987,000       1,987,000       2,066,136  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Hotels, Motels, Inns and Gaming

        7,308,194       7,013,243       7,419,661  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

19


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

     EFFECTIVE
INTEREST RATE 
    DUE DATE     PRINCIPAL     COST    

FAIR

VALUE

 

Corporate Bonds (Continued)

         

Leisure, Amusement, Entertainment — 0.92%:

 

Center Parcs+#

    6.50     8/28/2026       $1,132,433       $1,128,342       $1,124,539  

Motion Topco Limited+#

    7.38       6/15/2030       182,583       166,943       171,217  

Ontario Gaming GTA LP+^

    8.00       8/1/2030       694,000       699,446       695,845  

Silk TopCo AS+

    7.00       2/12/2030       1,011,374       854,010       905,180  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Leisure, Amusement, Entertainment

        3,020,390       2,848,741       2,896,781  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Machinery (Non-Agriculture, Non-Construct, Non-Electronic) — 0.52%:

 

Copeland#

    6.38       12/15/2030       1,566,678       1,496,539       1,645,615  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Machinery (Non-Agriculture, Non-Construct, Non-Electronic)

        1,566,678       1,496,539       1,645,615  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Media: Broadcasting & Subscription — 0.31%:

 

Nielsen^

    9.29       4/15/2029       1,000,000       960,416       967,881  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Media: Broadcasting & Subscription

        1,000,000       960,416       967,881  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Mining, Steel, Iron and Non-Precious Metals — 2.14%:

 

Arsenal AIC Parent LLC^

    8.00       10/1/2030       1,182,000       1,180,155       1,261,423  

Cornerstone Building Brands Inc^

    9.50       8/15/2029       2,188,000       2,188,000       2,011,490  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd+^

    9.38       3/1/2029       1,347,000       1,347,000       1,431,528  

First Quantum Minerals Ltd+^

    8.00       3/1/2033       1,990,000       1,990,000       2,041,030  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Mining, Steel, Iron and Non-Precious Metals

        6,707,000       6,705,155       6,745,471  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Oil and Gas — 12.90%:

 

Civitas Resources Inc^#

    8.75       7/1/2031       1,483,000       1,489,255       1,500,248  

CVR Energy Inc.^

    5.75       2/15/2028       2,000,000       1,858,166       1,914,517  

Genesis Energy LP

    7.75       2/1/2028       3,408,000       3,276,559       3,458,561  

Genesis Energy LP

    8.88       4/15/2030       1,000,000       983,348       1,062,018  

Genesis Energy LP

    7.88       5/15/2032       1,000,000       1,000,000       1,039,734  

Genesis Energy LP

    8.00       5/15/2033       773,000       773,000       808,153  

Global Partners LP^

    8.25       1/15/2032       1,361,000       1,361,000       1,430,984  

Harbour Energy+

    6.12       8/8/2173       1,041,311       1,006,113       1,063,439  

Harvest Midstream I LP^

    7.50       5/15/2032       3,265,000       3,309,239       3,448,016  

Hilcorp Energy I L P^

    7.25       2/15/2035       9,487,000       9,339,904       9,276,205  

IMTT^

    6.50       8/1/2029       6,018,000       5,741,877       5,722,985  

NGL Energy Finance Corp.^

    8.13       2/15/2029       621,000       621,000       627,378  

NGL Energy Finance Corp.^

    8.38       2/15/2032       2,274,000       2,274,000       2,280,873  

Superior Plus LP+^

    4.50       3/15/2029       1,000,000       923,041       961,730  

Var Energi+#

    7.86       11/15/2083       1,162,640       1,077,494       1,275,997  

Viridien+#

    8.50       10/15/2030       942,363       873,639       930,294  

Viridien+

    10.00       10/15/2030       720,000       720,000       708,517  

Weatherford Intl Ltd Bermuda Sr Glbl+^

    8.63       4/30/2030       3,092,000       3,102,993       3,183,170  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Oil and Gas

        40,648,314       39,730,628       40,692,819  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

20


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

     EFFECTIVE
INTEREST RATE 
    DUE DATE     PRINCIPAL     COST    

FAIR

VALUE

 

Corporate Bonds (Continued)

         

Personal, Food, and Miscellaneous — 0.59%:

 

Herbalife^

    12.25     4/15/2029       $1,418,000       $1,453,758       $1,543,367  

Raising Cane’s Restaurants LLC^

    9.38       5/1/2029       296,000       296,000       312,364  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Personal, Food, and Miscellaneous

        1,714,000       1,749,758       1,855,731  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Personal Transportation — 0.54%:

 

JetBlue^

    9.88       9/20/2031       1,555,000       1,572,065       1,512,241  

Naviera Armas, 3M EURIBOR + 12.7500% (12.75% PIK)+~

    14.61       12/31/2026       291,926       335,287       204,348  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Personal Transportation

        1,846,926       1,907,352       1,716,589  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Printing & Publishing — 0.05%:

 

Cimpress+^

    7.38       9/15/2032       150,000       147,894       143,218  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Printing & Publishing

        150,000       147,894       143,218  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Retail Store — 1.68%:

 

Afflelou+#

    6.00       7/25/2029       424,063       393,714       440,864  

Bath & Body Works Inc.#

    6.88       11/1/2035       249,000       228,431       256,960  

Marcolin S.p.A+

    6.13       11/15/2026       559,528       578,239       559,564  

Motor Fuel Group+#

    8.63       4/30/2029       750,837       753,620       771,871  

Ocado Group PLC+#

    10.50       8/8/2029       785,154       713,336       764,645  

Wayfair^

    7.25       10/31/2029       485,000       485,000       484,872  

Wayfair^

    7.75       9/15/2030       2,000,000       1,996,000       2,012,158  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Retail Store

        5,253,582       5,148,340       5,290,934  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Services: Business — 0.79%:

 

Modulaire Group+#

    6.75       11/30/2029       1,560,788       1,273,043       1,392,449  

Sabre Global^

    11.13       7/15/2030       1,065,000       1,065,000       1,111,604  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Services: Business

        2,625,788       2,338,043       2,504,053  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Telecommunications — 8.60%:

 

Altice France Holding S.A.+^#

    5.75       8/15/2029       1,375,000       1,235,613       1,008,059  

British Telecom+#

    8.38       12/20/2083       823,588       732,311       882,560  

Consolidated Communications Hldgs.+#

    7.75       1/24/2033       883,465       939,731       1,015,985  

Digicel Limited ¤+^>

    8.25       9/30/2025       2,500,000       2,491,364       0  

Eutelsat+#

    9.75       4/13/2029       1,691,541       1,489,722       1,823,397  

Iliad Holding+^

    8.50       4/15/2031       385,000       385,000       411,836  

Iliad Holding+#

    6.88       4/15/2031       647,874       586,961       690,796  

LCPR Senior Secured Financing+^

    6.75       10/15/2027       2,000,000       1,878,110       1,345,000  

Level III^#

    4.50       4/1/2030       550,000       366,136       497,750  

Level III^#

    11.00       11/15/2029       3,395,201       3,441,575       3,895,169  

Ocado+#

    11.00       6/15/2030       1,647,175       1,599,987       1,602,101  

Optics+

    7.88       7/31/2028       416,996       382,594       458,200  

Telecom Italia+#

    7.88       7/31/2028       289,777       265,781       325,274  

Telefonica SA+#

    7.13       11/23/2173       1,649,135       1,524,572       1,806,121  

United Group+#

    6.75       2/15/2031       1,177,953       1,087,950       1,205,914  

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

21


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

     EFFECTIVE
INTEREST RATE 
    DUE DATE     PRINCIPAL     COST    

FAIR

VALUE

 

Corporate Bonds (Continued)

         

Telecommunications (Continued)

 

United Group+#

    6.50     10/31/2031       $1,457,128       $1,343,603       $1,472,246  

Uniti Group Inc.^#

    8.63       6/15/2032       2,000,000       1,992,500       2,021,510  

Uniti Group LP / Uniti Group Finance Inc.^

    6.50       2/15/2029       3,406,000       3,140,270       3,292,338  

Vodafone Group PLC+#

    8.00       8/30/2086       1,372,646       1,397,216       1,489,726  

Windstream^

    8.25       10/1/2031       431,000       446,253       451,190  

Zegona Finance PLC+#

    6.75       7/15/2029       1,366,426       1,256,159       1,451,828  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Telecommunications

        29,465,905       27,983,408       27,147,000  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Utilities — 3.73%:

 

Electricite de France SA+

    9.13       12/15/2173       600,000       632,500       676,892  

Enbridge Inc.+

    7.38       1/15/2083       3,749,000       3,697,451       3,857,046  

Enbridge Inc.+

    8.25       1/15/2084       1,624,000       1,624,000       1,716,630  

Talen Energy Supply, LLC^

    8.63       6/1/2030       3,837,000       3,872,262       4,109,830  

Techem+#

    6.00       7/30/2026       517,827       458,058       517,827  

TGS ASA+^#

    8.50       1/15/2030       860,000       860,000       887,505  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Utilities

        11,187,827       11,144,271       11,765,730  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Corporate Bonds

        341,435,809       332,359,494       332,741,656  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Fixed Income

        444,993,139       432,615,645       427,244,331  
     

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments

          $432,715,461       $427,390,252  
       

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other assets and liabilities — (35.45%)

 

    (111,847,481

Net Assets — 100.00%

 

    $315,542,771  
         

 

 

 

 

  Percentages

are calculated as a percent of net assets applicable to common shareholders.

 

  EURIBOR

- Euro Interbank Offered Rate

  SOFR

- Secured Overnight Financing Rate

 

*

Securities are non-income producing.

The effective interest rates are based on settled commitment amount.

§

Bank loans are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, but contain certain restrictions on resale and cannot be sold publicly. These loans pay interest at rates which adjust periodically. The interest rates shown for bank loans are the current interest rates at June 30, 2025. Bank loans are also subject to mandatory and/or optional prepayment which cannot be predicted. As a result, the remaining maturity may be substantially less than the stated maturity shown.

¤

Value determined using significant unobservable inputs, security is categorized as Level 3.

+

Foreign security.

^

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144a of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may only be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.

~

Variable rate security. The interest rate shown is the rate in effect at June 30, 2025.

#

All or a portion of the security is segregated as collateral for the credit facility.

>

Defaulted security.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

22


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

  PIK

Payment-in-kind

Distributions of investments by country of risk. Percentage of assets are expressed by market value excluding cash and accrued income as of June 30, 2025.

 

   United States of America      78.9%  
   United Kingdom      5.7%  
   France      2.7%  
   Germany      2.2%  
   Italy      1.9%  
   Canada      1.7%  
   Sweden      1.2%  
   Hong Kong      1.1%  
   (Individually less than 1%)      4.6%  
     

 

 

 
        100.0%  
     

 

 

 

A summary of outstanding derivatives at June 30, 2025 is as follows:

Schedule of Open Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

June 30, 2025

 

CURRENCY TO BE
RECEIVED
          CURRENCY TO BE
DELIVERED(1)
            COUNTERPARTY OF
CONTRACT
     FORWARD
SETTLEMENT
DATE
       UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION /
(DEPRECIATION)
 
  49,625,774     

USD

    51,079,926       EUR      Morgan Stanley        7/15/2025          (1,454,152
  21,531,610     

USD

    21,847,776       GBP      Morgan Stanley        7/15/2025          (316,167
                   

 

 

 
                    $ (1,770,319
                   

 

 

 

(1) Values are listed in U.S. dollars.

 

See accompanying Notes to the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

23


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

1.

Organization

Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund (the “Fund”) was organized as a business trust under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on May 20, 2011 and commenced operations on October 26, 2012. The Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a de facto diversified, closed-end management investment company.

Barings LLC (the “Adviser”), a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and serves as investment adviser to the Fund.

Baring International Investment Limited (the “Sub-Adviser”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Adviser, serves as sub-adviser with respect to the Fund’s European investments.

The Fund’s primary investment objective is to seek as high a level of current income as the Adviser determines is consistent with capital preservation. The Fund seeks capital appreciation as a secondary investment objective when consistent with its primary investment objective. There can be no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objectives. The Fund seeks to take advantage of inefficiencies between geographies, primarily the North American and Western European high yield bond and loan markets and within capital structures between bonds and loans. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its Managed Assets in bonds, loans and other income-producing instruments that are, at the time of purchase, rated below investment grade (below Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or below BBB- by either Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Company, Inc. (“S&P”) or Fitch, Inc. (“Fitch”), or unrated but judged by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to be of comparable quality).

 

2.

Significant Accounting Policies

The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).

  A.

Valuation of Investments

Pursuant to Rule 2a-5, the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) has designated the Adviser as valuation designee to perform the fair value determinations relating to the value of the assets held by the Fund and making fair value determinations on any day on which the net asset value (“NAV”) per share of the Fund is determined, in accordance with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, and the registration statement for the Fund, subject to the oversight of the Board.

Valuation of the Fund’s securities is based on the market price whenever market quotations are readily available and all securities of the same class held by the Fund can be readily sold in such market. Market prices are obtained from reputable pricing services using market pricing conventions, to the extent such a price is available. Where a market price quotation for a security is not readily available or if the investment is not a security, the security will be fair valued as determined in good faith by the Adviser, subject to the oversight of the Board.

The pricing services may use valuation models or matrix pricing, which consider yield or prices with respect to comparable bond quotations from bond dealers or by reference to other securities that are considered comparable in such characteristics as credit rating, interest rates and maturity date, to determine the current value. The closing prices of domestic or foreign securities may not reflect their market values at the time the Fund calculates its NAV if an event that materially affects the value of those securities has occurred since the closing prices were established on the domestic or foreign exchange market, but before the Fund’s NAV calculation. Under certain conditions, the Board has approved an independent pricing service to fair value foreign securities. This is generally accomplished by adjusting the closing price for movements in correlated indices, securities or derivatives. Fair value pricing may cause the value of the security on the books of the Fund to be different from the closing value on the non-U.S. exchange and may affect the calculation of the Fund’s NAV. The Fund may fair value securities in other situations, for example, when a particular foreign market is closed but the Fund is pricing their shares.

The Fund’s investments in bank loans are normally valued at the bid quotation obtained from dealers in loans by an independent pricing service in accordance with the Fund’s valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board.

 

 

 

 

24


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Forward foreign exchange contracts are normally valued on the basis of independent pricing service providers.

Short-term securities with more than sixty days to maturity are valued at fair value, using external independent third-party services. Short-term securities, of sufficient credit quality, having a maturity of sixty days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

A Valuation Committee, made up of officers of the Fund and employees of the Adviser, is responsible for determining, in accordance with the Fund’s valuation policies and procedures approved by the Board: (1) whether market quotations are readily available for investments held by the Fund; and (2) the fair value of investments held by the Fund for which market quotations are not readily available or are deemed not reliable by the Adviser. In certain cases, authorized pricing service vendors may not provide prices for a security held by the Fund, or the price provided by such pricing service vendor is deemed unreliable by the Adviser. In such cases, the Fund may use market maker quotations provided by an established market maker for that security (i.e. broker quotes) to value the security if the Adviser has experience obtaining quotations from the market maker and the Adviser determines that quotations obtained from the market maker in the past have generally been reliable (or, if the Adviser has no such experience with respect to a market maker, it determines based on other information available to it that quotations obtained by it from the market maker are reasonably likely to be reliable). In any such case, the Adviser will review any market quotations so obtained in light of other information in its possession for their general reliability.

Bank loans in which the Fund may invest have similar risks to lower-rated fixed income securities. Changes in the financial condition of the borrower or economic conditions or other circumstances may reduce the capacity of the borrower to make principal and interest payments on such instruments and may lead to defaults. Senior secured bank loans are supported by collateral; however, the value of the collateral may be insufficient to cover the amount owed to the Fund. By relying on a third party to administer a loan, the Fund is subject to the risk that the third party will fail to perform it obligations. The loans in which the Fund will invest are largely floating rate instruments; therefore, the interest rate risk generally is lower than for fixed-rate debt obligations. However, from

the perspective of the borrower, an increase in interest rates may adversely affect the borrower’s financial condition. Due to the unique and customized nature of loan agreements evidencing loans and the private syndication thereof, loans are not as easily purchased or sold as publicly traded securities. Although the range of investors in loans has broadened in recent years, there can be no assurance that future levels of supply and demand in loan trading will provide the degree of liquidity which currently exists in the market. In addition, the terms of the loans may restrict their transferability without borrower consent. These factors may have an adverse effect on the market price and the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular portfolio investments. A less liquid secondary market also may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain precise valuations of the high yield loans in its portfolio.

The fair value of bank loans that are unsyndicated or for which market quotations are not readily available, including middle-market bank loans, will be submitted to an independent provider to perform an independent valuation on those bank loans as of the end of each quarter. Such bank loans will be held at cost until such time as they are sent to the valuation provider for an initial valuation subject to override by the Adviser should it determine that there have been material changes in interest rates and/or the credit quality of the issuer. The independent valuation provider applies various methods (synthetic rating analysis, discounting cash flows, and re-underwriting analysis) to establish the rate of return a market participant would require (the “discount rate”) as of the valuation date, given market conditions, prevailing lending standards and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. Future expected cash flows for each investment are discounted back to present value using these discount rates in the discounted cash flow analysis. A range of value will be provided by the valuation provider and the Adviser will determine the point within that range that it will use in making valuation determinations. The Adviser will use its internal valuation model as a comparison point to validate the price range provided by the valuation provider. If the Advisers’ Valuation Committee disagrees with the price range provided, it may make a fair value determination that is outside of the range provided by the independent valuation provider, such determination to be reported to the Board in the Adviser’s quarterly reporting to the Board. In certain instances, the Trust may determine that it is not cost-effective, and as a result is not in the shareholders’ best

 

 

 

 

25


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

interests, to request the independent valuation firm to perform the Procedures on certain investments. Such instances include, but are not limited to, situations where the fair value of the investment in the portfolio company is determined to be insignificant relative to the total investment portfolio.

The Fund may invest in collateralized debt obligations (“CDOs”), which include collateralized bond obligations (“CBOs”) and collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”). CBOs and CLOs are types of asset-backed securities. A CDO is an entity that is backed by a diversified pool of debt securities (CBOs) or syndicated bank loans (CLOs). The cash flows of the CDO can be split into multiple segments, called “tranches,” which will vary in risk profile and yield. The riskiest segment is the subordinated or “equity” tranche. This tranche bears the greatest risk of defaults from the underlying assets in the CDO and serves to protect the other, more senior, tranches from default in all but the most severe circumstances. Since it is shielded from defaults by the more junior tranches, a “senior” tranche will typically have higher credit ratings and lower yields than their underlying securities, and often receive investment grade ratings from one or more of the nationally recognized rating agencies. Despite the protection from the more junior tranches, senior tranches can experience substantial losses due to actual defaults, increased sensitivity to future defaults and the disappearance of one or more protecting tranches as a result of changes in the credit profile of the underlying pool of assets.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A three-tier hierarchy is utilized to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. For example, market participants would consider the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value,

such as a pricing model, and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability and are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

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

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

The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

 

 

 

26


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The following is a summary of the valuation hierarchy as of June 30, 2025 in valuing the Fund’s investments:

 

DESCRIPTION   LEVEL 1     LEVEL 2     LEVEL 3     TOTAL INVESTMENTS  

Assets:

       
Equities:        

Common Stocks

  $     $     $ 142,876     $ 142,876  

Warrants

                3,045       3,045  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total Equities:                 145,921       145,921  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed Income:

       

Asset-Backed Securities

          23,398,307             23,398,307  

Bank Loans

          58,560,041       11,333,113       69,893,154  

Convertible Bonds

          1,211,214             1,211,214  

Corporate Bonds

          327,737,463       5,004,193       332,741,656  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Fixed Income

          410,907,025       16,337,306       427,244,331  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Short Term Investments:

       

Insurance

                       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Short Term Investments

                       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

                       
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Assets:

  $     $ 410,907,025     $ 16,483,227     $ 427,390,252  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities:

       

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts:

  $     $ (1,770,319   $     $ (1,770,319
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities:

  $      —     $ (1,770,319   $     $ (1,770,319
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The following table is a summary of quantitative information about significant unobservable valuation inputs for Level 3 fair value measurement for investments held as of June 30, 2025. A significant change in third party information could result in a significantly lower or higher value of such Level 3 financial instruments:

 

TYPE OF ASSETS   FAIR VALUE AS OF
JUNE 30, 2025
    VALUATION
TECHNIQUE(S)
  UNOBSERVABLE INPUT

Bank Loans:

     

The Fidelis Partnership

  $ 1,980,647     Income Approach  

9.6%; Implied Spread

Aspen Insurance Holdings LTD.

    2,740,840     Income Approach  

11.3%; Implied Spread

Aspen Insurance Holdings LTD.

    4,483,158     Income Approach  

11.3%; Implied Spread

 

 

 

     
  $ 9,204,645      
 

 

 

     

As of June 30, 2025, the Fund held Level 3 financial instruments in the amount of $7,278,582 that had values based on unadjusted third-party pricing information.

Although the Fund believes the valuation methods described above are appropriate, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine fair value could result in different estimates of fair value at the reporting date.

 

 

 

27


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The Fund discloses transfers between levels based on valuations at the end of the reporting period. The following is a reconciliation of Level 3 investments based upon the inputs used to determine fair value:

 

    

BALANCE

AT
DECEMBER 31,
2024

    TRANSFERS
INTO
LEVEL 3
    TRANSFERS
OUT OF
LEVEL 3
    PURCHASES     SALES     ACCRETION
OF
DISCOUNT
    REALIZED
GAIN /
(LOSS)
    CHANGE IN
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION /
(DEPRECIATION)
ON
INVESTMENTS
   

BALANCE
AT

JUNE 30,
2025

   

CHANGE IN
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION /
(DEPRECIATION)
FROM
INVESTMENTS
HELD AS OF

JUNE 30,

2025

 

Equities

                   

Cohesity

  $     $     $     $ 58,936     $     $     $     $ 25,552     $ 84,488     $ 25,552  

Cohesity

                      40,730                         17,658       58,388       17,658  

ESC CB 144A High Ridge

                                                           

Flint Group Ordinary A Shares Stapled to 2L

                                                           

KCA Deutag

                      176,400       (175,968           (432                  

Naviera Armas

                                                           

Travelex Private Equity Stapled to 12.5% New Money Notes

                                                           
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Common Stocks

                      276,066       (175,968           (432     43,210       142,876       43,210  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Travelex Topco Limited

    49,981                                           (46,936     3,045       (46,936
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Warrants

    49,981                                           (46,936     3,045       (46,936
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Equities

    49,981                   276,066       (175,968           (432     (3,726     145,921       (3,726
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Bank Loans

                   

Aspen Insurance Holdings LTD.

    2,738,074                                           2,766       2,740,840       2,766  

Aspen Insurance Holdings LTD.

    4,478,634                               4,863             (339     4,483,158       (339

Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings Inc.

    2,358,000                         (2,400,000     1,855       16,579       23,566              

Cohesity

    2,738,000             (2,738,000                                          

Cohesity

    2,740,944             (2,740,944                                          

Gen II Fund Services, LLC

    567,082                         (564,964           1,412       (3,530            

Goosehead Insurance, Inc

    885,404                         (880,999           2,203       (6,608            

Highline Aftermarket

                      1,262,143       (1,262,151           8                    

Naviera Armas

    84,291                         (84,189     1,379       (1,733     252              

Radiology Partners

                      2,125,784                         2,684       2,128,468       2,684  

The Fidelis Partnership

    1,990,000                         (10,000           50       597       1,980,647       597  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Bank Loans

    18,580,429             (5,478,944     3,387,927       (5,202,303     8,097       18,519       19,388       11,333,113       5,708  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

                   

Digicel Limited

                                                           

Travelex

                                                           

Travelex

    4,453,220                   245,237             20,534             285,202       5,004,193       285,202  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Corporate Bonds

    4,453,220                   245,237             20,534             285,202       5,004,193       285,202  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total

  $ 23,083,630     $   —     $ (5,478,944 )    $ 3,909,230     $ (5,378,271 )    $ 28,631     $ 18,087     $ 300,864     $ 16,483,227     $ 287,184  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

28


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

During the period, transfers into and out of Level 3 resulted from observable market data for the security.

 

  B.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist principally of short-term investments that are readily convertible into cash and have original maturities of three months or less. As of June 30, 2025, the Fund held no cash equivalents and all cash is held by U.S. Bank, N.A.

 

  C.

Investment Transactions, Related Investment Income and Expenses

Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis, including the amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on bonds held using the yield-to-maturity method.

The Fund currently holds, and expects to hold in the future, some investments in its portfolio that contain Payment-in-Kind (“PIK”) interest provisions. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each loan agreement, is added to the principal balance of the investment, rather than being paid to the Fund in cash, and is recorded as interest income. Thus, the actual collection of PIK interest may be deferred until the time of debt principal repayment. PIK interest, which is a non-cash source of income at the time of recognition, is included in the Fund’s taxable income and therefore affects the amount the Trust is required to distribute to its stockholders to maintain its qualification as a “regulated investment company” for federal income tax purposes, even though the Fund has not yet collected the cash.

Interest income from securitized investments in which the Fund has a beneficial interest, such as the “equity” security class of a CLO vehicle (typically in the form of income or subordinated notes), is recorded upon receipt. The accrual of interest income related to these types of securities is periodically reviewed and adjustments are made as necessary.

Realized gains and losses on investment transactions and unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments are reported for financial statement and Federal income tax purposes on the identified cost method.

Expenses are recorded on the accrual basis as incurred.

 

  D.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates

and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

  E.

Federal Income Taxation

The Fund has elected to be taxed as a Regulated Investment Company (“RIC”) under sub-chapter M of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and intends to maintain this qualification and to distribute substantially all of its net taxable income to its shareholders.

 

  F.

Dividends and Distributions

The Fund declares and pays dividends monthly from net investment income. To the extent that these distributions exceed net investment income, they may be classified as return of capital. The Fund also pays a distribution at least annually from its net realized capital gains, if any. Dividends and distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. All common shares have equal dividend and other distribution rights. A notice disclosing the source(s) of a distribution will be provided if payment is made from any source other than net investment income. Any such notice would be provided only for informational purposes in order to comply with the requirements of Section 19(a) of the 1940 Act and not for tax reporting purposes. The tax composition of the Fund’s distributions for each calendar year is reported on Internal Revenue Service Form 1099-DIV.

Dividends from net investment income and distributions from realized gains from investment transactions have been determined in accordance with Federal income tax regulations and may differ from net investment income and realized gains recorded by the Fund for financial reporting purposes. These differences, which could be temporary or permanent in nature may result in reclassification of distributions; however, net investment income, net realized gains and losses, and net assets are not affected.

 

  G.

Derivative Instruments

The following is a description of the derivative instruments that the Fund utilizes as part of its investment strategy, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to the instrument.

 

 

 

 

29


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts – The Fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The Fund transacted in and currently holds forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge against changes in the value of foreign currencies. The Fund entered into forward foreign exchange contracts obligating the Fund to deliver or receive a currency at a specified future date. Forward foreign exchange contracts are valued daily, and unrealized appreciation or depreciation is recorded daily as the difference between the contract exchange rate and the closing forward rate applied to the face amount of the contract. A realized gain or loss is recorded at the time the forward contract expires. Credit risk may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to comply with the terms of the contract. The Fund considers the creditworthiness of each counterparty to a contract in evaluating potential credit risk quarterly. The Fund is also subject to credit risk with respect to the counterparties to the derivative contracts which are not cleared through a central counterparty but instead are traded over-the-counter between two counterparties. If a counterparty to an over-the-counter derivative becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations under a derivative contract due to financial difficulties, the Fund may experience significant delays in obtaining any recovery under the derivative contract in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Fund may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. The counterparty risk for cleared derivatives is generally lower than for uncleared over-the-counter derivative transactions since generally a clearing organization becomes substituted for each counterparty to a cleared derivative contract and, in effect, guarantees the parties’ performance under the contract as each party to a trade looks only to the clearing house for performance of financial obligations. However, there can be no assurance that the clearing house, or its members, will satisfy its obligations to the Fund. In addition, in the event of a bankruptcy of a clearing house, the Fund could experience a loss of the funds deposited with such clearing house as margin and any profits on its open positions. The counterparty risk to the Fund is limited to the net unrealized gain, if any, on the contract.

The use of forward foreign exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the underlying prices of the

Fund’s investment securities; however, it does establish a rate of exchange that can be achieved in the future. The

use of forward foreign exchange contracts involves the risk that anticipated currency movements will not be accurately predicted. A forward foreign exchange contract would limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of a particular currency; however, it would also limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency increase instead of decrease. These contracts may involve market risk in excess of the amount of receivable or payable reflected on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund recognized an asset and a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a result of a forward foreign exchange contract with Morgan Stanley. The Fund’s policy is to recognize an asset equal to the net value of all forward foreign exchange contracts with an unrealized gain and a liability equal to the net value of all forward foreign exchange contracts with an unrealized loss. The Fund has recognized a liability of $1,770,319 in net unrealized depreciation on forward foreign exchange contracts. Outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts as of June 30, 2025 are indicative of the volume of activity during the period.

For the period ended June 30, 2025, the Fund’s direct investment in derivatives consisted of forward foreign exchange contracts.

The following is a summary of the fair value of derivative instruments held by the Fund as of June 30, 2025. These derivatives are presented in the Schedule of Investments.

Fair values of derivative instruments on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of June 30, 2025:

 

DERIVATIVES   STATEMENT OF ASSETS
AND LIABILITIES
LOCATION
   

FAIR

VALUE

 

Asset Derivatives

   

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

   


Unrealized
appreciation on
forward foreign
exchange contracts
 
 
 
 
  $    –  
   

 

 

 

Total Asset Derivatives

    $   –  
   

 

 

 

Liability Derivatives

   

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

   


Unrealized
depreciation on
forward foreign
exchange contracts
 
 
 
 
  $  (1,770,319
   

 

 

 

Total Liability Derivatives

    $  (1,770,319
   

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

30


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations for the period ended June 30, 2025:

 

DERIVATIVES   STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS
LOCATION
    REALIZED GAIN/
(LOSS) ON
DERIVATIVES
 

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

   


Net realized gain
(loss) on forward
foreign exchange
contracts
 
 
 
 
  $ (5,243,150
   

 

 

 

Total

    $  (5,243,150
   

 

 

 
DERIVATIVES   STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS
LOCATION
    CHANGE IN
UNREALIZED
APPRECIATION/
(DEPRECIATION)
ON DERIVATIVES
 

Forward Foreign Exchange Contracts

   





Net change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation) of
forward foreign
exchange
contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  $  (2,700,741
   

 

 

 

Total

    $  (2,700,741
   

 

 

 
 

 

  H.

Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities

The following is a summary by counterparty of the fair value of derivative investments subject to Master Netting Agreements and collateral pledged (received), if any, as of June 30, 2025.

 

                      AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET IN
THE STATEMENT OF ASSETS
AND LIABILITIES
       

LIABILITIES:

  GROSS
AMOUNT OF
RECOGNIZED
ASSETS
    GROSS AMOUNT
OFFSET IN THE
STATEMENT OF
ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES
   

NET AMOUNTS
PRESENTED IN

THE STATEMENT
OF ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES

    FINANCIAL
INSTRUMENTS
    COLLATERAL
RECEIVED
    NET
AMOUNT*
 

Forward foreign exchange contracts

           

Morgan Stanley

  $  (1,454,152   $    –     $  (1,454,152   $   –     $    –     $  (1,454,152

Morgan Stanley

  $ (316,167   $   –     $ (316,167   $    –     $   –     $ (316,167

 

  *

The net amount represents the amount owed by the Fund to the counterparty as of June 30, 2025.

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-11 “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”). These disclosure requirements are intended to help better assess the effect or potential effect of offsetting arrangements on a Fund’s financial position. In addition, FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01 “Clarifying the Scope of Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2013-01”), specifying which transactions are subject to

disclosures about offsetting. In order to better define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help the Fund mitigate its counterparty risk, the Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between the Fund and a counterparty that governs certain OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral

 

 

 

 

31


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA Master Agreement, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. Bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may restrict or prohibit the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events. In addition, certain ISDA Master Agreements allow counterparties to terminate derivative contracts prior to maturity in the event the Fund’s net assets decline by a stated percentage or the Fund fails to meet the terms of its ISDA Master Agreements. The result would cause the Fund to accelerate payment of any net liability owed to the counterparty.

For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark to market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by the Fund and the counterparty.

Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, is reported separately on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as cash collateral held at broker or cash collateral due to broker, respectively. Non-cash collateral pledged by or received by the Fund, if any, is noted in the Schedule of Investments. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a party has to exceed a minimum transfer amount threshold before a transfer is required, which is determined each day at the close of business of the Fund, typically based on changes in market values for each transaction under an ISDA Master Agreement and netted into one amount for such agreement and any additional required collateral is delivered to/pledged by the Fund on the next business day. Typically, the Fund and counterparties are not permitted to sell, re-pledge or use the collateral they receive. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty non-performance. The Fund attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by entering into agreements only with counterparties that they believe have the financial resources to honor their obligations and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties.

  I.

Foreign Securities

Investing in securities of foreign companies and foreign governments involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies and the U.S. government. These risks include valuation of currencies and adverse political and economic developments. Moreover, securities of many foreign companies, foreign governments, and their markets may be less liquid and their prices more volatile than those of securities of comparable U.S. companies and the U.S. government.

 

  J.

Foreign Currency Translation

The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency transactions are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis: (i) market value of investment securities, assets and liabilities at the daily rates of exchange, and (ii) purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income and certain expenses at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not isolate changes in the exchange rate of investment securities from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities. However, for Federal income tax purposes, the Fund does isolate and treat as ordinary income the effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on realized gain or loss from the sale of investment securities and payables and receivables arising from trade-date and settlement-date differences.

 

  K.

Counterparty Risk

The Fund seeks to manage counterparty credit risk by entering into agreements only with counterparties the Adviser believes have the financial resources to honor their obligations. The Adviser monitors the financial stability of the Fund’s counterparties.

 

  L.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform: Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”), in January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope (“ASU 2021-01”), and in December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848 (“ASU 2022-06”), which provides optional, temporary relief with respect to the financial reporting of contracts subject to certain types of

 

 

 

 

32


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

modifications due to the planned discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates as of the end of 2021. The temporary relief provided by ASU 2020-04, ASU 2021-01, and ASU 2022-06 is effective for certain reference rate-related contract modifications that occur during the period from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2024. Management is evaluating the impact of ASU 2020-04, ASU 2021-01, and ASU 2022-06 on the Fund’s investments, derivatives, debt, and other contracts that will undergo reference rate-related modifications as a result of the reference rate reform. Management is also actively working with other financial institutions and counterparties to modify contracts as required by applicable regulation and within the regulatory deadlines.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU, 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280) (“ASU 2023-07”), which applies to all entities that are required to report segment information in accordance with Topic 280, Segment Reporting. The amendments in ASU 2023-07 improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The effective dates for the amendments in ASU 2023-07 are for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Fund adopted the aforementioned guidance and it did not have a material impact on the Fund’s consolidated financial statements. See “Segments” below for disclosure.

Segments

The Fund makes investments in securities of issuers that operate in various industries. The Fund represents a single reporting segment, where performance is measured against its investment objective as described in Note 1. The segment generates revenues through debt investments, and on a limited basis, may acquire equity investments in portfolio companies. The accounting policies of the single segment are the same as those described in “Significant Accounting Policies.” The Fund has identified the President and Chief Financial Officer as the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), who evaluate the performance of the single segment. The CODM uses segment net investment income before taxes and net increase in net assets resulting from operations to determine the capital allocation of the Fund, the dividend policy, and the Fund’s investment strategy, which is outlined in Note 1. As the Fund operates as a single reportable segment, the segment

assets are presented on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities as “total assets” and the net investment income before taxes, significant segment expenses and net increase in net assets resulting from operations are presented on the accompanying Statements of Operations.

 

3.

Advisory Fee

The Fund was previously a party to an investment management agreement with the Adviser, a related party, dated October 25, 2012 (the “Prior Management Agreement”). Effective September 1, 2022, the Fund entered into an amended and restated management agreement (the “New Management Agreement”) that supersedes the Prior Management Agreement in its entirety. Pursuant to the Prior Management Agreement, the Fund agreed to pay the Adviser a fee payable at the end of each calendar month, at an annual rate of 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets during such month. Effective August 6, 2020 the Adviser had waived 0.15% of its fee payable from the Fund. The waiver expired on August 31, 2022. Effective September 1, 2022, pursuant to the New Management Agreement, effective September 1, 2022, the Fund has agreed to pay the Adviser a fee payable at the end of each calendar month, at an annual rate of 0.85% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets during such month. Managed assets are the total assets of the Fund, which include any assets attributable to leverage such as assets attributable to reverse repurchase agreements, or bank loans, minus the sum of the Fund’s accrued liabilities (other than liabilities incurred for the purpose of leverage).

Subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the Board, the Sub-Adviser manages the investment and reinvestment of a portion of the assets of the Fund, as allocated from time to time. As compensation for its services, the Adviser (not the Fund) pays the Sub-Adviser a portion of the investment management fees it receives from the Fund, in an amount in U.S. dollars equal to 35% of such investment management fees (“Sub-Advisory Fees”).

 

4.

Administrator Fee

The Fund has engaged U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, d/b/a U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services”) to serve as the Fund’s administrator, fund accountant, and transfer agent. The Fund has engaged U.S. Bank, N.A. to serve as the Fund’s custodian. The Fund has agreed to pay Fund Services a fee payable at the end of each

 

 

 

 

33


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

calendar month, at an annual rate of 0.075% of the Fund’s average daily managed assets.

 

5.

Income Taxes

It is the Fund’s intention to qualify as a RIC under sub-chapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and distribute all of its taxable income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.

The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the tax years ended in 2024 and 2023, as noted below, was as follows:

 

     2024     2023  

Ordinary Income

  $  30,108,508     $  28,756,173  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Distributions Paid

  $  30,108,508   $ 28,756,173  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

The amount and character of income and capital gain distributions to be paid, if any, are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

Permanent items identified during the year ended December 31, 2024 have been reclassified among the component of net assets based on their tax basis treatment as follows:

 

ADDITIONAL

PAID IN CAPITAL

  ACCUMULATED
LOSSES
 

$ (1,017,542)

  $  1,017,542  

The permanent differences are primarily attributable to non-deductible excise taxes. The Fund’s excise tax expense of $1,017,542 as shown on the Statement of Operations represents excise tax on undistributed income.

The following information is provided on a tax basis as of December 31. 2024:

 

Cost of investments

  $ 459,998,460  
 

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation

    11,172,327  

Unrealized depreciation

    (23,541,885
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)

    (12,369,558

Undistributed ordinary income

    29,351,409  

Undistributed long term gains

     
 

 

 

 

Distributable earnings

    29,351,409  

Accumulated gain/(loss)

    (164,807,234
 

 

 

 

Total accumulated gain/(loss)

  $  (147,825,383
 

 

 

 

The capital loss carryforward is available to offset future taxable income. The Fund has $11,771,175 of short-term capital loss carryforwards and $152,954,803 of long-term capital loss carryforwards, both of which have unlimited expiration.

The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on U.S. tax returns and state tax returns filed since inception of the Fund. No income tax returns are currently under examination. Tax years ended December 31, 2020 through December 31, 2024 remain subject to examination by the tax authorities in the United States. Due to the nature of the Fund’s investments, the Fund may be required to file income tax returns in several states. The Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next 12 months.

 

6.

Investment Transactions

For the period ended June 30, 2025, the Fund purchased (at cost) and sold securities in the amount of $94,625,366 and $126,327,419 (excluding short-term debt securities), respectively.

 

7.

Credit Facility

On November 8, 2012, the Fund entered into a $200,000,000 credit facility with BNP Paribas Prime Brokerage International, Ltd (“BNP”). On January 6, 2014, the Fund entered into an amended agreement with a variable annual interest rate of three-month LIBOR plus 0.75 percent. On April 28, 2022, the Fund entered into an amended agreement with a variable interest rate of USD SOFR plus 0.76 percent. Unused portions of the credit facility will accrue a commitment fee equal to an annual rate of 0.65 percent.

The average principal balance and interest rate for the period during which the credit facility was utilized for the period ended June 30, 2025 was approximately $130,386,740 and 5.07 percent, respectively. As of June 30, 2025, the principal balance outstanding was $118,500,000 at an interest rate of 5.13 percent. At June 30, 2025, the carrying value of the Credit Facility of $118,500,000 approximates fair value. If measured at fair value, borrowings under the credit facility would have

 

 

 

 

34


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

been considered as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy (see Note 2A) as of June 30, 2025.

 

8.

Securities Lending

Through an agreement with the Fund, BNP may lend out securities the Fund has pledged as collateral on the note payable. In return, the Fund receives additional income that is netted against the interest charged on the outstanding credit facility balance. As of June 30, 2025, the Fund has pledged securities as collateral in the amount of $278,343,505. As of June 30, 2025, $111,685,014 of the Fund’s pledge securities were lent out by BNP. For the period ended June 30, 2025, the total amount of income netted against the interest expense was $34,958.

 

9.

Common Stock

The Fund had unlimited shares authorized and 20,064,313 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2024 and June 30, 2025. There were no changes to shares outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2024, and the period ended June 30, 2025.

 

10.

Aggregate Remuneration Paid to Officers, Trustees and Their Affiliated Persons

For the period ended June 30, 2025, the Fund paid its Trustees aggregate remuneration of $75,000. During the period ended June 30, 2025, the Fund did not pay any compensation to any of its Trustees who are “interested persons” (as defined by the 1940 Act) of the Fund. The Fund classifies Mr. Mihalick as an interested person of the Fund.

All of the Fund’s officers are employees of the Adviser. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Fund does not compensate its officers who are employees of the Adviser (except for the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund unless assumed by the Adviser). For the period ended June 30, 2025, the Adviser paid the compensation of the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund.

The Fund did not make any payments to the Adviser for the period ended June 30, 2025, other than the amounts payable to the Adviser pursuant to the Agreement.

 

11.

Risks

In the normal course of its business, the Fund trades various financial instruments and enters into certain investment activities with investment risks. These risks include:

Below Investment Grade (high yield/junk bond) Instruments Risk

Below investment grade securities, commonly known as “junk” or “high yield” bonds, have speculative characteristics and involve greater volatility of price and yield, greater risk of loss of principal and interest, and generally reflect a greater possibility of an adverse change in financial condition that could affect an issuer’s ability to honor its obligations. Below investment grade debt instruments are considered to be predominantly speculative investments. In some cases, these obligations may be highly speculative and have poor prospects for reaching investment grade standing. Below investment grade debt instruments are subject to the increased risk of an issuer’s inability to meet principal and interest payment obligations. These instruments may be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as specific corporate developments, interest rate sensitivity, negative perceptions of the financial markets generally and less secondary market liquidity. The prices of below investment grade debt instruments may be affected by legislative and regulatory developments. Because below investment grade debt instruments are difficult to value and are more likely to be fair valued, particularly during erratic markets, the values realized on their sale may differ from the values at which they are carried on the books of the Fund.

The Fund may invest in bonds and loans of corporate issuers that are, at the time of purchase, rated below investment grade by at least one credit rating agency or unrated but determined by Barings to be of comparable quality. The Fund may also invest in other below investment grade debt obligations. Barings considers both credit risk and market risk in making investment decisions for the Fund. If a default occurs with respect to any below investment grade debt instruments and the Fund sells or otherwise disposes of its exposure to such instruments, it is likely that the proceeds would be less than the unpaid principal and interest. Even if such instruments are held to maturity, recovery by the Fund of its initial investment and any anticipated income or appreciation would be uncertain and may not occur. Market trading volume for high yield instruments is generally lower and the secondary market for such instruments could contract under adverse market or economic conditions, independent of any specific adverse changes in the condition of a particular issuer.

Borrowing and Leverage Risk

The Fund may borrow, subject to certain limitations, to fund redemptions, post collateral for hedges or to

 

 

 

 

35


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

purchase loans, bonds and structured products prior to settlement of pending sale transactions. Any such borrowings, as well as transactions such as when-issued, delayed-delivery, forward commitment purchases and loans of portfolio securities, can result in leverage. The use of leverage involves special risks, and makes the net asset value of the Fund and the yield to shareholders more volatile. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategies would be successful. In addition, the counterparties to the Fund’s leveraging transactions will have priority of payment over the Fund’s shareholders.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk that one or more debt obligations in the Fund’s portfolio will decline in price, or fail to pay dividends, interest or principal when due because the issuer of the obligation experiences an actual or perceived decline in its financial status. Credit ratings issued by credit rating agencies are designed to evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of rated instruments. They do not, however, evaluate the market value risk of below investment grade debt instruments and, therefore, may not fully reflect the true risks of an investment. In addition, credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the conditions of the issuer that affect the market value of the instruments. Consequently, credit ratings are used only as a preliminary indicator of investment quality. Investments in below investment grade and comparable unrated obligations will be more dependent on Barings’s credit analysis than would be the case with investments in investment grade instruments. Barings employs its own credit research and analysis, which includes a study of existing debt, capital structure, ability to service debt and to pay dividends, sensitivity to economic conditions, operating history and current earnings trends.

One or more debt obligations in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price, or fail to pay dividends, interest or principal when due because the issuer of the obligation experiences an actual or perceived decline in its financial status or due to changes in the specific or general market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, public health or other conditions.

Cybersecurity Risk

A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the information resources of us, Barings or our portfolio investments. These incidents may be an

intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gaining unauthorized access to our or Barings’ information systems or those of our portfolio investments for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. Barings’ employees may be the target of fraudulent calls, emails and other forms of activities. The result of these incidents may include disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to business relationships. The Fund’s business operations rely upon secure information technology systems for data processing, storage, and reporting. The Fund depends on the effectiveness of the information and cybersecurity policies, procedures, and capabilities maintained by its affiliates and their respective third-party service providers to protect their computer and telecommunications systems and the data that reside on or are transmitted through them.

Substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future. The costs related to cyber or other security threats or disruptions may not be fully insured or indemnified by other means. As the Fund’s and our portfolio investments’ reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to the Fund’s information systems, both internal and those provided by Barings and third-party service providers, and the information systems of the Fund’s portfolio investments. Barings has implemented processes, procedures and internal controls to help mitigate cybersecurity risks and cyber intrusions, but these measures, as well as the Fund’s increased awareness of the nature and extent of a risk of a cyber incident, do not guarantee that a cyber incident will not occur and/or that the Fund’s financial results, operations or confidential information will not be negatively impacted by such an incident. In addition, cybersecurity continues to be a key priority for regulators around the world, and some jurisdictions have enacted laws requiring companies to notify individuals or the general investing public of data security breaches involving certain types of personal data, including the SEC, which, on July 26, 2023, adopted amendments requiring the prompt public disclosure of certain cybersecurity breaches. If the Fund fails to comply with the relevant laws and regulations, the Fund could suffer financial losses, a disruption of the Fund’s business, liability to investors, regulatory intervention or reputational damage.

 

 

 

 

36


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Defaults by Portfolio Investments

A portfolio investment’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by the Fund or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize a portfolio investment’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity securities that the Fund holds. The Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio investment.

Derivatives Risk

Derivatives involve special risks and costs and may result in losses to the Fund. The prices of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in abnormal market conditions. Some derivatives are “leveraged” or may create economic leverage for the Fund and therefore may magnify or otherwise increase investment losses to the Fund. The Fund’s use of derivatives may also increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders.

Other risks arise from the potential inability to terminate or sell derivatives positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund’s derivatives positions. In fact, many over-the-counter derivative instruments will not have liquidity beyond the counterparty to the instrument. Over-the-counter derivative instruments also involve the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations to the Fund. The use of derivatives also exposes the Fund to operational issues, such as documentation and settlement issues, systems failures, inadequate control and human error.

Derivatives may also involve legal risks, such as insufficient documentation, the lack of capacity or authority of a counterparty to execute or settle a transaction, and the legality and enforceability of derivatives contracts. The U.S. Government and foreign governments have adopted (and may adopt further) regulations governing derivatives markets, including mandatory clearing of certain derivatives, margin and reporting requirements and risk exposure limitations. Regulation of derivatives may make derivatives more costly, limit their availability or utility to the Fund, or otherwise adversely affect their performance or disrupt markets.

In October 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act regarding the ability of a fund to use derivatives

and other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations. Under Rule 18f-4, funds that use derivatives are subject to a value-at-risk leverage limit, a derivatives risk management program and testing requirements and requirements related to board reporting. These requirements apply unless the fund qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” as defined under Rule 18f-4. Under Rule 18f-4, a fund may enter into an unfunded commitment agreement (which may include delayed draw and revolving loans) that will not be deemed to be a derivatives transaction, such as an agreement to provide financing to a portfolio company, if the fund has, among other things, a reasonable belief, at the time it enters into such an agreement, that it will have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet its obligations with respect to all of its unfunded commitment agreements, in each case as it becomes due. Collectively, these requirements may limit the Fund’s ability to use derivatives and/or enter into certain other financial contracts.

The Fund has adopted updated policies and procedures in compliance with Rule 18f-4. The Fund expects to qualify as a “limited derivatives user” under Rule 18f-4. Future legislation or rules may modify how the Fund treats derivatives and other financial arrangements for purposes of compliance with the leverage limitations of the 1940 Act. Future legislation or rules may modify how leverage is calculated under the 1940 Act and, therefore, may increase or decrease the amount of leverage currently available to the Fund under the 1940 Act, which may be materially adverse to us and our shareholders.

Duration Risk

Subject to the limitations set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, the Fund may invest in investments of any duration or maturity. Although stated in years, duration is not simply a measure of time. Duration measures the time-weighted expected cash flows of a security, which can determine the security’s sensitivity to changes in the general level of interest rates (or yields). Securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate (or yield) changes than securities with shorter durations. Duration differs from maturity in that it considers potential changes to interest rates, and a security’s coupon payments, yield, price and par value and call features, in addition to the amount of time until the security matures. Various techniques may be used to shorten or lengthen the Fund’s duration. The duration of a security will be expected to change over time with changes in market factors and time to maturity.

 

 

 

 

37


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

Foreign Securities Risk

Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers (including those denominated in U.S. dollars) may involve more risk than investing in securities of U.S. issuers. Foreign political, economic and legal systems, especially those in developing and emerging market countries, may be less stable and more volatile than in the United States. Foreign legal systems generally have fewer regulatory requirements than the U.S. legal system, particularly those of emerging markets. In general, less information is publicly available with respect to non-U.S. companies than U.S. companies. Non-U.S. companies generally are not subject to the same accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards as are U.S. companies. Additionally, the changing value of foreign currencies and changes in exchange rates could also affect the value of the assets the Fund holds and the Fund’s performance. Certain foreign countries may impose restrictions on the ability of issuers of foreign securities to make payment of principal and interest or dividends to investors located outside the country, due to blockage of foreign currency exchanges or otherwise. Investments in emerging markets are subject to greater volatility and price declines.

In addition, the Fund’s investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to the risks of nationalization or expropriation of assets, imposition of currency exchange controls or restrictions on the repatriation of non-U.S. currency, confiscatory taxation and adverse diplomatic developments. Special U.S. tax considerations may apply.

Inflation Risk

Certain of the Fund’s portfolio investments are in industries that could be impacted by inflation. If such portfolio investments are unable to pass any increases in their costs of operations along to their customers, it could adversely affect their operating results and impact their ability to pay interest and principal on the Fund’s loans, particularly if interest rates rise in response to inflation. In addition, any projected future decreases in the Fund’s portfolio investments’ operating results due to inflation could adversely impact the fair value of those investments. Any decreases in the fair value of the Fund’s portfolio investments could result in future realized or unrealized losses and therefore reduce the Fund’s net assets resulting from operations.

Liquidity Risk

The Fund may, subject to certain limitations, invest in illiquid securities (i.e., securities that cannot be disposed

of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the disposition significantly changing the market value of the security). Illiquid securities may trade at a discount from comparable, more liquid investments, and may be subject to wide fluctuations in market value. Some securities may be subject to restrictions on resale. Illiquid securities may be difficult to value. Also, the Fund may not be able to dispose of illiquid securities at a favorable time or price when desired, and the Fund may suffer a loss if forced to sell such securities for cash needs. Below investment grade loans and other debt securities tend to be less liquid than higher-rated securities.

Loan Risk

The loans in which the Fund may invest are subject to a number of risks. Loans are subject to the risk of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal. Such non-payment would result in a reduction of income to the Fund, a reduction in the value of the investment and a potential decrease in the net asset value of the Fund. There can be no assurance that the liquidation of any collateral securing a loan would satisfy the borrower’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled interest or principal payments, or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy of a borrower, the Fund could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of the collateral securing a loan. Loan participations and assignments involve credit risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk, and the risks of being a lender. Loans are not as easily purchased or sold as publicly traded securities and there can be no assurance that future levels of supply and demand in loan trading will provide the degree of liquidity which currently exists in the market. In addition, the terms of the loans may restrict their transferability without borrower consent.

These factors may have an adverse effect on the market price of the loan and the Fund’s ability to dispose of particular portfolio investments. A less liquid secondary market also may make it more difficult for the Fund to obtain precise valuations of the high yield loans in its portfolio. The settlement period (the period between the execution of the trade and the delivery of cash to the purchaser) for some loan transactions may be significantly longer than the settlement period for other investments, and in some cases longer than seven days. It is possible that sale proceeds from loan transactions will not be available to meet redemption obligations, in which case the Fund may be required to utilize cash balances

 

 

 

 

38


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

or, if necessary, sell its more liquid investments or investments with shorter settlement periods. Some loans may not be considered “securities” for certain purposes under the federal securities laws, and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws.

Management Risk

The Fund is subject to management risk because it is an actively managed portfolio. Barings apply investment techniques and risk analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no guarantee that such techniques and analyses will produce the desired results.

Market Risk

The value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may decline, at times sharply and unpredictably, as a result of unfavorable market-induced changes affecting particular industries, sectors, or issuers. Stock and bond markets can decline significantly in response to issuer, market, economic, industry, political, regulatory, geopolitical, public health and other conditions, as well as investor perceptions of these conditions. Such conditions may include, but are not limited to, war, terrorism, natural and environmental disasters and epidemics or pandemics, which may be highly disruptive to economies and markets. Such conditions may also adversely affect the liquidity of the Fund’s securities. The Fund is subject to risks affecting issuers, such as management performance, financial leverage, industry problems, and reduced demand for goods or services.

Prepayment and Extension Risk

Prepayment and extension risk is the risk that a loan, bond or other investment might be called or otherwise converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity. This risk is primarily associated with mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities and floating rate loans. If the investment is converted, prepaid or redeemed before maturity, particularly during a time of declining interest rates or spreads, the Fund may not be able to invest the proceeds in other investments providing as high a level of income, resulting in a reduced yield to the Fund. Conversely, as interest rates rise or spreads widen, the likelihood of prepayment decreases and the maturity of the investment may extend. The Fund may be unable to capitalize on securities with higher interest rates or wider spreads because the Fund’s investments are locked in at a lower rate for a longer period of time.

Valuation Risk

Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees. The Board has designated Barings as valuation designee to perform the Fund’s fair value determinations relating to the value of our assets for which market quotations are not readily available.

Typically there is not a public market for the securities in which we have invested and will generally continue to invest. Barings conducts the valuation of such investments, upon which the Fund’s net asset value is primarily based, in accordance with its valuation policy, as well as established and documented processes and methodologies for determining the fair values of investments on a recurring basis in accordance with the 1940 Act and ASC Topic 820. The Fund’s current valuation policy and processes were established by Barings and have been approved by the Board. The Adviser has established a pricing committee that is, subject to the oversight of the Board, responsible for the approval, implementation and oversight of the processes and methodologies that relate to the pricing and valuation of assets held by the Fund. Barings uses independent third-party providers to price the portfolio, but in the event an acceptable price cannot be obtained from an approved external source, Barings will utilize alternative methods in accordance with internal pricing procedures established by Barings’ pricing committee.

The determination of fair value and consequently, the amount of unrealized appreciation and depreciation in the Fund’s portfolio, is to a certain degree subjective and dependent on the judgment of Barings. Certain factors that may be considered in determining the fair value of the Fund’s investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio investment’s earnings and its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, the markets in which the portfolio investment does business, comparison to comparable publicly-traded companies, discounted cash flows and other relevant factors. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, Barings’ determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these securities existed. Due to this uncertainty, Barings’ fair value determinations may cause our net asset value on a given

 

 

 

 

39


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

 

June 30, 2025 (Unaudited)

 

date to materially understate or overstate the value that the Fund may ultimately realize upon the sale or disposition of one or more of its investments. As a result, investors purchasing the Fund’s securities based on an overstated net asset value would pay a higher price than the value of the Fund’s investments might warrant. Conversely, investors selling shares during a period in which the net asset value understates the value of our investments will receive a lower price for their shares than the value of the Fund’s investments might warrant.

 

12.

Subsequent Events

The Fund has evaluated the possibility of subsequent events existing in this report through the date that the financial statements were issued. The Fund has determined that there were no material events that would require recognition or disclosure in this report through this date.

 

 

 

 

40


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

FUND DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

 

 

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

Jill Olmstead

Trustee

Mark F. Mulhern

Trustee

Thomas W. Okel

Chairman, Trustee

INTERESTED TRUSTEES

David M. Mihalick

Trustee

OFFICERS

Sean Feeley

President

Christopher Hanscom

Chief Financial Officer

Andrea Nitzan

Treasurer

Itzbell Branca

Chief Compliance Officer

Ashlee Steinnerd

Chief Legal Officer

Alexandra Pacini

Secretary

Matthew Curtis

Tax Officer

The Fund offers a Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”). The Plan provides a simple way for shareholders to add to their holdings in the Fund through the reinvestment of dividends in additional common shares of the Fund. Shareholders will have all dividends, including any capital gain dividends, reinvested automatically in additional shares of the Fund by U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, as Plan Agent, unless a shareholder elects to receive cash instead. An election to receive cash may be revoked or reinstated at the option of the shareholder. All distributions to investors who elect not to participate in the Plan (or whose broker or nominee elects not to participate on the investor’s behalf) will receive dividends and distributions in cash.

Whenever the Fund declares a dividend payable in cash or shares, the Plan Agent, acting on behalf of each participating shareholder, will take the dividend in shares only if the net asset value per Fund share is equal to or less than the market price per Fund share plus estimated brokerage commissions as of the payment date for the dividend.

When the dividend is to be taken in shares, the number of shares to be received is determined by dividing the dollar amount of the cash dividend by the net asset value per Fund share as of the dividend payment date or, if greater than the net asset value per Fund share, 95% of the closing share price on the payment date. Generally, if the net asset value per Fund share is greater than the market price per Fund share plus estimated brokerage commissions as of the dividend payment date, the Plan Agent will endeavor to buy shares on the open market at current prices promptly after the dividend payment date.

The reinvestment of dividends does not, in any way, relieve participating shareholders of any Federal, state or local tax. For Federal income tax purposes, the amount reportable in respect of a dividend received in shares of the Fund will be the fair market value of the shares received, which will be reportable as ordinary income and/or capital gains. Investors should consult with their own tax advisors for further information about the tax consequences of dividend reinvestment.

There is no brokerage charge for the reinvestment of dividends in additional Fund shares; however, all participants pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred by the Plan Agent when it makes open market purchases. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan, though the Fund reserves the right to amend the Plan to include a service charge payable by participants.

Additional information about the Plan may be obtained from, and any questions regarding the Plan should be addressed to, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, Plan Agent for Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund’s Dividend Reinvestment Plan, P.O. Box 701, Milwaukee, WI 52301.

 

 

 

 

41


Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund 2025 Semi-Annual Report

 

 

LOGO

 

JOINT PRIVACY NOTICE OF BABSON CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC AND

 

BARINGS GLOBAL SHORT DURATION HIGH YIELD FUND

 

This privacy notice is being provided on behalf of Barings LLC and its affiliates: Barings Securities LLC; Barings Australia Pty Ltd; Barings Advisers (Japan) KK; Barings Investment Advisers (Hong Kong) Limited; Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund; Barings BDC, Inc.; Barings Corporate Investors and Barings Participation Investors (together, for purposes of this privacy notice, “Barings”).

When you use Barings you entrust us not only with your hard-earned assets but also with your personal and financial data. We consider your data to be private and confidential, and protecting its confidentiality is important to us. Our policies and procedures regarding your personal information are summarized below.

We may collect non-public personal information about you from:

 

   

Applications or other forms, interviews, or by other means;

 

   

Consumer or other reporting agencies, government agencies, employers or others;

 

   

Your transactions with us, our affiliates, or others; and

 

   

Our Internet website.

We may share the financial information we collect with our financial service affiliates, such as insurance companies, investment companies and securities broker-dealers. Additionally, so that we may continue to offer you products and services that best meet your investment needs and to effect transactions that you request or authorize, we may disclose the information we collect, as described above, to companies that perform administrative or marketing services on our behalf, such as transfer agents, custodian banks, service providers or printers and mailers that assist us in the distribution of investor materials or that provide operational support to Barings. These companies are required to protect this information and will use this information only for the services for which we hire them, and are not permitted to use or share this information for any other purpose. Some of these companies may perform such services in jurisdictions other than the United States. We may share some or all of the information we collect with other financial institutions with whom we jointly market products. This may be done only if it is permitted by the state in which you live. Some disclosures may be limited to your name, contact and transaction information with us or our affiliates.

Any disclosures will be only to the extent permitted by federal and state law. Certain disclosures may require us to get an “opt-in” or “opt-out” from you. If this is required, we will do so before information is shared. Otherwise, we do not share any personal information about our customers or former customers unless authorized by the customer or as permitted by law.

We restrict access to personal information about you to those employees who need to know that information to provide products and services to you. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with legal standards to guard your personal information. As an added measure, we do not include personal or account information in non-secure e-mails that we send you via the Internet without your prior consent. We advise you not to send such information to us in non-secure e-mails.

This joint notice describes the privacy policies of Barings, the Funds and Barings Securities LLC. It applies to all Barings and the Funds accounts you presently have, or may open in the future, using your social security number or federal taxpayer identification number – whether or not you remain a shareholder of our Funds or as an advisory client of Barings. As mandated by rules issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, we will be sending you this notice annually, as long as you own shares in the Funds or have an account with Barings.

Barings Securities LLC is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Investors may obtain information about SIPC including the SIPC brochure by contacting SIPC online at www.sipc.org or calling (202)-371-8300. Investors may obtain information about FINRA including the FINRA Investor Brochure by contacting FINRA online at www.finra.org or by calling (800) 289-9999.

December 2023

 

 

 

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LOGO

 


(b) Not applicable.

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 6. Investments.

 

(a)

Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

(b)

Not applicable.

Item 7. Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for Open-End Investment Companies.

Not applicable to closed-end investment companies.

Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Investment Companies.

Not applicable to closed-end investment companies.

Item 9. Proxy Disclosure for Open-End Investment Companies.

Not applicable to closed-end investment companies.

Item 10. Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Investment Companies.

Not applicable to closed-end investment companies.

 

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Item 11. Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contract.

See Item 1(a).

Item 12. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 13. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable for semi-annual reports.

Item 14. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

 

Period

   (a)
Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased
     (b)
Average Price
Paid per Share
(or Unit)
     (c)
Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
     (d)
Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares (or
Units) that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
 

Month #1 (01/01/25-01/31/25)

     0        0        0        0  

Month #2 (02/01/25-02/28/25)

     0        0        0        0  

Month #3 (03/01/25-03/31/25)

     0        0        0        0  

Month #4 (04/01/25-04/30/25)

     0        0        0        0  

Month #5 (05/01/25-05/31/25)

     0        0        0        0  

Month #6 (06/01/25-06/30/25)

     0        0        0        0  

Total

     0        0        0        0  

 

*

Footnote the date each plan or program was announced, the dollar amount (or share or unit amount) approved, the expiration date (if any) of each plan or program, each plan or program that expired during the covered period, each plan or program registrant plans to terminate or let expire.

Item 15. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

Not Applicable.

Item 16. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)

The Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have reviewed the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the

 

2


  Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Act”)) as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, as required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based on their review, such officers have concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in this report is appropriately recorded, processed, summarized and reported and made known to them by others within the Registrant and by the Registrant’s service provider.

 

(b)

There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 17. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

(a) The following table shows the dollar amounts of income, and dollar amounts of fees and/or compensation paid, relating to the Fund’s securities lending activities for the period ended June 30, 2025.

 

SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES

 

Gross income from securities lending activities

   $ 34,958  
  

 

 

 

Fees and/or compensation for securities lending activities and related services

 

Fees paid to securities lending agent from a revenue split

   $        

Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in the revenue split

   $        

Administrative fee is included in the revenue split

   $ 0  
  

 

 

 

Indemnification fee is included in the revenue split

   $ 0  
  

 

 

 

Rebate (paid to borrower)

   $        

Other fees not included in revenue split (specify)

   $        

Aggregate fees/compensation for securities lending activities

   $        

Net income from securities lending activities

   $ 34,958  
  

 

 

 

(b) Through an agreement with the Registrant, the securities lending agent may lend out securities the Registrant has pledged as collateral on the credit facility. In return, the Registrant receives additional income that is netted against the interest charged on the outstanding credit facility balance.

Item 18. Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.

(a) Not applicable.

(b) Not applicable.

Item 19. Exhibits.

 

(a)

(1) Any code of ethics or amendment thereto, that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2, to the extent that the registrant intends to satisfy Item 2 requirements through filing an exhibit.

 

3


Not applicable.

(2) Any policy required by the listing standards adopted pursuant to Rule 10D-1 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.10D-1) by the registered national securities exchange or registered national securities association upon which the registrant’s securities are listed.

Not applicable.

(3) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)).

Filed herewith.

(4) Any written solicitation to purchase securities under Rule 23c-1 under the Act sent or given during the period covered by the report by or on behalf of the registrant to 10 or more persons.

Not applicable.

 

  (5)

There was no change in the registrant’s independent public accountant for the period covered by this report.

 

(b)

Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Filed herewith.

 

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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.

 

     (Registrant) Barings Global Short Duration High Yield Fund             
  By (Signature and Title)*         /s/ Sean Feeley                   
               Sean Feeley, Principal Executive Officer  
  Date September 8, 2025  

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

 

     By (Signature and Title)*         /s/ Sean Feeley                              
                Sean Feeley, Principal Executive Officer  
  Date September 8, 2025  
  By (Signature and Title)*        /s/ Christopher Hanscom               
               Christopher Hanscom, Principal Financial Officer  
  Date September 8, 2025  

 

*

Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.

 

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