As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 30, 2021

 

REGISTRATION NO. 033-63560 and 811-7762

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-1A

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER

 

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.

 

POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 104

 

AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER

 

THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

 

AMENDMENT NO. 106

 

(CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX OR BOXES)

 

 

FIRST EAGLE FUNDS

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN CHARTER)

 

 

1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK, NY 10105

(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)

 

REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (212) 698-3300

 

SHEELYN MICHAEL

 

FIRST EAGLE FUNDS

 

1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
NEW YORK, NY 10105

(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

 

COPY TO:

NATHAN J. GREENE, ESQ.
SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP
787 SEVENTH AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10019

 

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):

 

immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
   
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
   
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
   
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485
   
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
   
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485 If appropriate, check the following box:
   
this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.

 

 

 

 

 

Prospectus

 

November 30, 2021 

 

 

 

First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund

Class A

 

FERAX

Class I

 

FEREX

Class R6

 

FERRX

Paperless Shareholder Reports

As permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports will not be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on www.feim.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund or your financial intermediary electronically by notifying your financial intermediary directly or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800.334.2143 or by visiting www.Fundreports.com.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your reports. If you invest directly with the Fund, you can call 800.334.2143 or visit www.Fundreports.com. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with First Eagle or your financial intermediary.

Advised by First Eagle Investment Management, LLC

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 


 

Thank you for your interest in First Eagle Funds (the “Trust” or “Funds”), managed by First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (“FEIM” or the “Adviser”). The Trust consists of nine portfolios: First Eagle Global Fund, First Eagle Overseas Fund, First Eagle U.S. Value Fund, First Eagle Gold Fund, First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund, First Eagle High Income Fund (formerly named First Eagle High Yield Fund), First Eagle Fund of America, First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund and First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund. This prospectus describes shares of the First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund designated as Classes A, I and R6. Other series of the Trust and classes of shares are available by a separate prospectus.


 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Summary Information about the Fund (Including Investment, Risk and Fee/Expense Information)

First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund

 

 

 

4

 

Information about Taxes and Financial Intermediaries

 

 

16

 

More Information About the Fund’s Investments

 

 

17

 

Investment Objective and Strategies of the Fund

 

 

17

 

Principal Investment Risks

 

 

19

 

Defensive Investment Strategies

 

 

34

 

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

 

 

35

 

Fund Indices

 

 

35

 

Fund Management

 

 

36

 

The Adviser

 

 

36

 

Approval of Advisory Agreement

 

 

38

 

About Your Investment

 

 

39

 

How to Purchase Shares

 

 

39

 

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance

 

 

41

 

How Fund Share Prices Are Calculated

 

 

41

 

Purchases Through Dealers and Financial Intermediaries

 

 

42

 

Public Offering Price of Class A Shares

 

 

44

 

Reducing the Sales Charge

 

 

46

 

Purchasing Class R6 Shares

 

 

49

 

Distribution and/or Shareholder Services Expenses

 

 

49

 

Bookshare Account Plan

 

 

52

 

Electronic Delivery

 

 

53

 

Where To Send Your Application

 

 

53

 

Minimum Account Size

 

 

53

 

Automatic Investment Program

 

 

54

 

Contractual Arrangements

 

 

54

 

Once You Become a Shareholder

 

 

55

 

Exchanging Your Shares

 

 

55

 

Automatic Exchange Program

 

 

55

 

Conversion

 

 

56

 

Dividend Direction Plan

 

 

56

 

Redemption of Shares

 

 

57

 

Short-Term Trading Policies

 

 

58

 

Telephone Privileges

 

 

59

 

Systematic Withdrawal Plan

 

 

60

 

Retirement Plans

 

 

61

 

Information Regarding State Escheatment Laws

 

 

61

 

Information on Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

 

 

62

 

Privacy Notice for Individual Shareholders

 

 

64

 

How to Reach First Eagle Funds

 

 

69

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

70

 

Appendix - Intermediary-Specific Front-End Sales Load and Waiver Terms

 

 

 

A-1

 

 

 

 

Useful Shareholder Information

 

 

 

Back Cover

 


 

 

First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund

Summary Information

Investment Objective

First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund (“Real Assets Fund” or the “Fund”) seeks long-term growth of capital.

Fees and Expenses of the Real Assets Fund

The following information describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Real Assets Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the tables and examples below.

You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you, together with certain related accounts, invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in the Real Assets Fund. Information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the How to Purchase Shares and Public Offering Price of Class A Shares sections on pages 39 and 44, respectively, and in the appendix to this Prospectus titled Intermediary-Specific Front-End Sales Load and Waiver Terms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A

 

Class I

 

Class R6

Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) on Purchases (as a percentage of public offering price)

 

 

 

5.00

 

 

 

 

None

 

 

 

 

None

 

 

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lesser of your purchase or redemption price)

 

 

 

1.00*

 

 

 

 

None

 

 

 

 

None

 

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Management Fees**

 

 

0.65

   

 

0.65

   

 

0.65

 

 

Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) Fees

 

 

 

0.25

 

 

 

 

None

 

 

 

 

None

 

 

Other Expenses***

 

 

6.01

   

 

6.01

   

 

6.01

 

Total Annual Operating Expenses (%)

 

 

6.91

   

 

6.66

   

 

6.66

 

Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement**

 

 

-5.81

   

 

-5.81

   

 

-5.81

 

Total Annual Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement (%)

 

 

1.10

   

 

0.85

   

 

0.85

 
 

*

 

A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% may apply on certain redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months following a purchase of $1,000,000 or more without an initial sales charge.

 

**

 

First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (“FEIM”) has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse certain fees and expenses of Classes A, I and R6 so that the total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales, and extraordinary expenses, if any) (“annual operating expenses”) of each class are limited to 1.10%, 0.85% and 0.85% of average

4First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

Real Assets Fund

 

 

 

net assets, respectively. Each of these undertakings lasts until February 28, 2023 and may not be terminated during its term without the consent of the Board of Trustees. The Fund has agreed that each of Classes A, I and R6 will repay FEIM for fees and expenses waived or reimbursed for the class provided that repayment does not cause annual operating expenses (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed either: (1) 1.10%, 0.85% and 0.85% of the class’ average net assets, respectively; or (2) if applicable, the then-current expense limitations. Any such repayment must be made within three years after the year in which FEIM incurred the expense.

 

***

 

“Other Expenses” are based on estimated expenses for the current fiscal year; actual expenses may vary.

Example

The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Real Assets Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. This hypothetical example assumes you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then either redeem or do not redeem all shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes the average annual return is 5% and operating expenses remain the same (except that the fee waiver is taken into account only for the one-year expense example). Please keep in mind your actual costs may be higher or lower.

 

 

 

 

 

Share Status

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

Class A

Sold or Held

 

 

$607

   

 

$1,945

 

Class I

Sold or Held

 

 

$87

   

 

$1,451

 

Class R6

Sold or Held

 

 

$87

   

 

$1,451

 

 

Portfolio Turnover Rate

The Real Assets Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example above, affect the Fund’s performance. There has been no portfolio turnover because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this Prospectus.

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 20215


 

Summary Information about the Real Assets Fund

Principal Investment Strategies

To achieve its objective of long-term capital growth, the Real Assets Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowing for investment purposes) in a variety of assets believed by the Adviser to represent interests in “real assets” or “real asset” industries. It is anticipated that the Fund will primarily invest in equity securities (including convertible securities) of U.S. and foreign companies, with the balance invested in precious metals and related securities, cash and cash equivalents (such as Treasury bills), fixed income securities including inflation-linked fixed income securities (such as Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities or “TIPS”) and debt instruments that are below investment grade, commonly known as “high yield” or “junk” bonds. “Real assets,” in which the Fund will invest, include physical assets and assets that are otherwise recognized as stores of value, such as gold bullion or other precious metals, certain commodities and inflation-linked fixed income securities. While the Fund has no current intention to make direct investment in real estate, land or equipment, it will target the industries of companies that are related to these assets (e.g., real estate investment trusts, developers and construction businesses, real estate finance companies, real estate brokerages and other related businesses, such as home improvement and home furnishings retailers). Specifically, “real asset” industries are those that relate to ownership or production of such assets or products or services otherwise supporting such assets. These industries may include basic materials, industrials, chemicals, energy, infrastructure, real estate, and utilities, as well as related suppliers and similarly connected businesses such as businesses within the telecommunications, healthcare, automobile and consumer staples sectors or industries. The strategy seeks to preserve flexibility to shift allocations modestly among sectors and asset classes to invest where the Adviser believes the market offers the most appropriate risk-reward opportunities at any given time, within the above framework. Real assets are generally thought to perform well in periods of rising or high inflation, as compared to a broader equity portfolio.

Investment decisions for the Fund are made without regard to the capitalization (size) of the companies in which it invests. The Fund may invest in any size company, including large, medium and smaller companies. The Fund may also invest in debt instruments (e.g., notes and bonds) without regard to credit rating or time to maturity, short-term debt instruments, futures contracts related to precious metals, forward contracts related to foreign exchange and options on equity securities or indices. The Fund “counts” relevant derivative positions towards its “80% of net assets” allocation, and in doing so, values each position at the price at which it is held on the Fund’s books (generally market price). Under normal circumstances, the Fund anticipates it will allocate a portion of its assets to foreign investments

6First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

Real Assets Fund

(including American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”)). The Fund is not required to allocate its investments in any set percentages to any particular countries, but normally will invest in at least three countries (one of which may be the United States). The countries in which the Fund may invest may include countries whose economies are still developing (sometimes called “emerging markets”). Through its investments in “real assets” or “real asset” industries, the Fund will be invested in a number of different countries, which may include Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom.

The investment philosophy and strategy of the Fund can be broadly characterized as a “value” approach, as it seeks a “margin of safety” in each investment purchase with the goal being to avoid permanent impairment of capital (as opposed to temporary losses in share value relating to shifting investor sentiment or other normal share price volatility). In particular, a discount to “intrinsic value” is sought even for the best of businesses, with a deeper discount demanded for companies that we view as under business model, balance sheet, management or other stresses. “Intrinsic value” is based on our judgment of what a prudent and rational business buyer would pay in cash for all of the company in normal markets. See also Defensive Investment Strategies.

The Fund makes some investments through a special purpose trading subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”) and may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Fund, organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company. Generally, the Subsidiary will invest in commodities and related instruments, including derivatives (e.g., gold bullion and other precious metals and related futures, and commodities-related derivatives contracts).

For more information about the Real Assets Fund’s principal investment strategies, please see the More Information about the Fund’s Investments section.

Principal Investment Risks

As with any mutual fund investment, you may lose money by investing in the Real Assets Fund. The likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time. An investment in the Fund is not intended to be a complete investment program.

Principal risks of investing in the Real Assets Fund, which could adversely affect its net asset value and total return, are:

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 20217


 

Summary Information about the Real Assets Fund

 

 

Market Risk — The value and liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio holdings may fluctuate in response to events specific to the companies or markets in which the Fund invests, as well as economic, political, or social events in the United States or abroad. Markets can be volatile, and values of individual securities and other investments at times may decline significantly and rapidly. Recent market conditions and events, including a global public health crisis and actions taken by governments in response, may exacerbate volatility. Rapid changes in value or liquidity, which often are not anticipated and can relate to events not connected to particular investments, may limit the ability of the Fund to dispose of its assets at the value or time of its choosing and can result in losses.

 

 

Equity Risk — The value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings may fluctuate in response to the risk that the prices of equity securities, including common stock, rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time. Equity securities generally have greater price volatility than debt securities.

 

 

Convertible Security Risk — Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. Convertible securities may gain or lose value due to changes in the issuer’s operating results, financial condition, credit rating and changes in interest rates and other general economic, industry and market conditions.

 

 

Foreign Investment Risk — The Fund may invest in foreign investments (including ADRs, GDRs and EDRs). Foreign investments, which can be denominated in any applicable foreign currency, are susceptible to less politically, economically and socially stable environments, foreign currency and exchange rate changes, and adverse changes to government regulations. While depositary receipts provide an alternative to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their respective national markets and currencies, investments in ADRs, GDRs and EDRs continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign investments. The Fund’s investments also may subject it to the risks associated with investing in European markets, including the risks associated with the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union.

 

 

Emerging Market Risk — Investments in emerging market countries are subject to greater risk and overall volatility than investments in the U.S. and other developed markets. Emerging market countries tend to have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, less developed legal and regulatory regimes, and

8First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

Real Assets Fund

 

 

 

political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. In addition to the risks associated with investing outside the U.S., emerging markets are more susceptible to governmental interference, political and economic uncertainty, local taxes and restrictions on the fund’s investments, less efficient trading markets with lower overall liquidity, and more volatile currency exchange rates.

 

 

Geographic Investment Risk — To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. While the Fund is not required to allocate its investments in any set percentages to any particular countries, it normally will invest in at least three countries (one of which may be the United States). The Fund reserves the right to dynamically allocate its assets across countries and regions. Listed below are some of the geographies in which the Fund expects to make significant investments as of the date of this Prospectus. The Fund expects that a substantial portion of the companies in which the Fund will invest will be domiciled in Europe, Canada and Japan, although the operations of such companies may take place in other countries.

     

Canada Risk — The Canadian economy is susceptible to adverse changes in certain commodities markets, including those related to the mining and agricultural industries. It is also heavily dependent on trading with key partners. Any reduction in this trading may adversely affect the Canadian economy.

     

European Risk — The Fund’s investments may subject it to the risks associated with investing in the European markets, including the risks associated with the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (“Brexit”). Investments in a single region, even though representing a number of different countries within the region, may be affected by common economic forces and other factors. Further, political or economic disruptions in European countries, even in countries in which the Fund is not invested, may adversely affect security values and thus the Fund’s holdings.

     

Japan Risk — The Japanese economy is heavily dependent upon international trade and may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability, which could negatively affect the Fund. Japan has also experienced natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tidal waves, of varying degrees of severity, which also could negatively affect the Fund.

 

 

Real Assets Companies Risk — The Fund will invest in companies operating in various industries related to real assets. To the extent there is a downturn in one or

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 20219


 

Summary Information about the Real Assets Fund

 

 

 

more of these industries, there would be a larger impact on the Fund than if the Fund’s portfolio were more broadly diversified. Factors that may affect these industries include, but are not limited to, government regulation or deregulation, energy conservation and supply/demand, raw material prices, commodities regulation, cost of transport, cost of labor, interest rates, and broad economic developments such as growth or contraction in different markets, currency valuation changes and central bank movements.

 

 

Inflation/Deflation Risk — Although the Fund is intended to provide a measure of protection against inflation, it is possible it will not do so to the extent intended. The Fund’s investments may be adversely affected to a greater extent than other investments during periods of deflation.

 

 

Natural Resources Risk — The Fund may invest in securities of companies that focus on natural resources. The securities of these companies may be negatively affected by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, natural disasters in natural resource areas, commodity price volatility, government regulations, conservation efforts and other global political and economic developments.

 

 

Commodity Investments Risk — The Fund may invest in commodities-related businesses and instruments. Commodities generally can be more volatile than other types of assets. Factors that affect the volatility of commodities include, but are not limited to, commodity price movements (whether of individual commodities or indexes or other instruments linked to commodities, changes in demand, costs of transport, interest rate changes, natural disasters and extreme weather changes, and regulatory developments, such as embargoes and tariffs.

 

 

Energy Risk — The Fund may invest in energy companies, which may be negatively affected by natural disasters, the high investment costs of exploration and other long-term projects, maintenance costs (and risks of obsolescence) associated with significant fixed assets, commodity prices, government regulations, and conservation efforts, among other factors.

 

 

Infrastructure Risk — The Fund may invest in securities of companies that focus on infrastructure related activities, including utilities and transport companies. These securities are subject to various related risks, including but not limited to, supply and demand for infrastructure related services, the high investment costs of long-term projects, maintenance costs (and risks of obsolescence) associated with significant fixed assets, political developments, changing interest rates which may affect infrastructure financing, regulatory changes and catastrophic weather events.

10First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

Real Assets Fund

 

 

Environmental and Climate Risk — Real asset companies and industries can be especially exposed to environmental risks, including climate change. These include, but are not limited to, environmental pollution and degradation (with potentially significant remediation costs); major weather events such as storms, droughts and wildfires; geographic and sector risks (with, for example, different regions and industries being subject to widely different levels of natural disaster and climate risk); weather pattern changes; expansion or contraction of growing seasons; company-level risks associated with differential levels of company-specific exposure and preparedness; economic risks associated with, for example, supply chain disruption, supply and demand imbalances and price shocks, infrastructure impacts and the like; commodities risks; geopolitical risks; political, regulatory and government intervention risks; and consumer sentiment risks, including the risk of boycotts and similar organized action.

 

 

Real Estate Industry Risk — The Fund may invest in securities of companies that focus on real estate related activities. Real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) are an example, as are developers and construction businesses, real estate finance companies, real estate brokerages and other related businesses, such as home improvement and home furnishings retailers. Real estate and its related businesses are highly dependent on market conditions, including interest rates. Other real estate industry risks include competition, property obsolescence and casualty risks (such as fire, flood and the like). REITs are subject special risks including the quality and skill of REIT management and the internal expenses of the REIT. Many types of businesses, including hotels, hospitals, agriculture and forestry, are significant owners and operators of real estate and can be directly or indirectly exposed to similar risks in addition to their own more sector-specific risks. Real estate income and values may be negatively affected by general and local economic developments such as extended vacancies of properties, as well as demographic trends, such as population movement or changing tastes and values. Real estate income and values also may be negatively affected by condemnations, tax law changes, zoning law changes, regulatory limits on rent, environmental regulations and the availability of mortgage financing and changes in interest rates.

 

 

Utilities Industry Risk — The Fund may invest in securities of companies in the utilities sector. Securities in the utilities industry can be volatile and affected significantly by supply and demand for services or fuel, government regulation, including rate regulations and conversation programs, commodity price volatility, interest rate changes and other financing considerations. Additionally, climate change or man-made disasters may have a catastrophic impact on existing plants and equipment of utility companies.

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202111


 

Summary Information about the Real Assets Fund

 

 

Telecommunications Industry Risk — The Fund may invest in telecommunications companies. Telecommunication companies are primarily engaged in the development, manufacturing or provision of communications services or equipment, including cable, satellite, radio, telephone and communication mediums. Risks associated with telecommunications companies include government regulation of rates and prices, anti-trust considerations, competition, rapid obsolescence and changes in consumer tastes.

 

 

Healthcare Sector Risk — The Fund may invest in companies in the healthcare sector, including health care facility companies. Healthcare companies are subject to Federal, state and local oversight regarding, as an example, licensing, certification, pharmaceutical distribution and provision of care. Healthcare companies are also dependent on the continued availability of government reimbursement programs (Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security) for revenues.

 

 

Automobile Industry Risk — The Fund may invest in the automobile industry, including automobile component manufacturing companies. The securities of automobile companies may be negatively affected by labor relations and costs, automotive technology developments (including autonomous vehicles) and consumer preferences. The automobile and automobile component sector may also be subject to significant government regulation, including tariffs, taxes, subsidies, import and export restrictions and environmental regulations.

 

 

Consumer Staples Sector Risk — The Fund may invest in securities of companies in the consumer staples sector, including grocery stores and agricultural producers. The consumer staples sector may be negatively affected by demographic shifts, consumer preferences, costs of labor, environmental considerations and commodity price fluctuations. Domestic and foreign government regulations on agricultural production and trade also may affect the consumer staples sector.

 

 

Small and Medium-Size Company Risk — The Fund may invest in small and medium-size companies, the securities of which can be more volatile in price than those of larger companies. Positions in smaller companies, especially when the Fund is a large holders of a small company’s securities, also may be more difficult or expensive to trade. The Fund considers small companies to be companies with market capitalizations of less than $1 billion and medium-sized companies to have market capitalizations of less than $10 billion.

 

 

Large-Size Company Risk — The Fund may invest in larger, more established companies, the securities of which may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges like changes in consumer tastes or innovative smaller competitors. Larger companies are sometimes unable to attain the high growth

12First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

Real Assets Fund

 

 

 

rates of successful, smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. The Fund considers large companies to be companies with market capitalizations of $10 billion or greater.

 

 

Gold Risk — The Fund may invest in both physical gold and the securities of companies in the gold mining sector. Prices of gold-related issues are susceptible to changes in U.S. and foreign regulatory policies, taxes, currencies, mining laws, inflation, and various other market conditions. Gold-related investments as a group have not performed as well as the stock market in general during periods when the U.S. dollar is strong, inflation is low and general economic conditions are stable. In addition, returns on gold-related investments have traditionally been more volatile than investments in broader equity or debt markets.

 

 

Credit and Interest Rate Risk — The value of the Fund’s portfolio may fluctuate in response to the risk that the issuer of a bond or other instrument will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. The Fund may invest in debt instruments that are below investment grade, commonly known as “high yield” or “junk” bonds, which are considered speculative, and carry a higher risk of default. In addition, fluctuations in interest rates can affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund. A debt instrument’s “duration” is a way of measuring a debt instrument’s sensitivity to a potential change in interest rates. An increase in interest rates tends to reduce the market value of debt instruments, while a decline in interest rates tends to increase their values. Generally, debt instruments with long maturities and low coupons have the longest durations. Longer-duration instruments tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than those with shorter durations. Recent market conditions and events, including a global public health crisis and actions taken by governments in response, may exacerbate the risk that borrowers will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. In addition, with historically low interest rates in the United States and abroad, there is risk of significant future rate moves and related economic and market impacts.

 

 

Derivatives Risk — Futures contracts or other “derivatives,” including hedging strategies, present risks related to their significant price volatility and risk of default by the counterparty to the contract. Derivatives are anticipated to be used mainly under a hedging program intended to reduce the impact of foreign exchange rate changes on the Fund’s value. A futures contract is considered a derivative because it derives its value from the price of the underlying security or financial index. The prices of futures contracts can be volatile, and futures contracts may lack liquidity.

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202113


 

Summary Information about the Real Assets Fund

 

 

 

In addition, there may be imperfect or even negative correlation between the price of a futures contract and the price of the underlying securities or financial index.

 

 

Options Risk — The Fund may engage in various options transactions in which the Fund may seek to gain exposure to an underlying investment or limit risk by purchasing the right to buy or sell, or by selling the obligation to buy or sell, a security at a set price in the future. The Fund pays a premium when buying options and receives a premium when selling options. When trading options, the Fund may incur losses or forego otherwise realizable gains if market prices do not move as expected.

 

 

Currency Risk — Currency risk is the risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to that of the U.S. dollar and affect the Fund’s non-U.S. currencies or securities that trade in and receive revenue in non-U.S. currencies.

 

 

Value Investment Strategy Risk — An investment made at a perceived “margin of safety” or “discount to intrinsic or fundamental value” can trade at prices substantially lower than when an investment is made, so that any perceived “margin of safety” or “discount to value” is no guarantee against loss. “Value” investments, as a category, or entire industries or sectors associated with such investments, may lose favor with investors as compared to those that are more “growth” oriented. In such an event, the Fund’s investment returns would be expected to lag relative to returns associated with more growth-oriented investment strategies. Investing in or having exposure to “value” securities presents the risk that such securities may never reach what the Adviser believes are their full market values.

 

 

Subsidiary Risk — By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and is not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as expected and could adversely affect the Fund.

 

 

New Fund Risk — The Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and its investment strategy may not be successful under all future market conditions, either of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at some future time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders. New funds may not attract sufficient assets to achieve investment, trading or other efficiencies.

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Real Assets Fund

An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency.

For more information on the risks of investing in the Real Assets Fund, please see the More Information about the Fund’s Investments section.

Investment Results

Performance history will be included for the Fund after the Fund has been in operation for one calendar year. Until that time, performance information will be available at https://www.firsteagle.com/global-real-assets-fund or by calling 800.334.2143.

Our Management Team

First Eagle Investment Management, LLC serves as the Real Assets Fund’s Adviser.

Benjamin Bahr, John Masi, George Ross and David Wang have served as the Fund’s Portfolio Managers since its inception in November 2021.

How to Purchase and Redeem Shares

The minimum initial investment amount generally required for the Real Assets Fund is $2,500 for Class A and $1 million for Class I. There is no minimum initial investment for Class R6. See the About Your Investment—How to Purchase Shares section for more information.

You may purchase Fund shares on any business day at their public offering price next computed after proper receipt of the order. You may redeem or exchange Fund shares on any business day at their net asset value next computed after proper receipt of the order. Transaction orders may be submitted via telephone, through your authorized dealer or through the Fund’s transfer agent, DST Systems, Inc. Shares held in the dealer’s “street name” must be redeemed or exchanged through the dealer. See the Once You Become a Shareholder section for more information.

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Summary Information about the Fund

Information about Taxes and Financial Intermediaries

Tax Information

It is the Fund’s policy to make annual distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any. Unless you elect otherwise, your ordinary income dividends and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in additional shares of the same share class of the Fund at net asset value calculated as of the date immediately preceding the payment date. The Fund’s distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred account, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Amounts withdrawn from a tax-deferred account may be subject to tax, including a penalty on pre-retirement distributions that are not properly rolled over to other tax-deferred accounts. See the Information on Dividends, Distributions and Taxes section for more information.

Payments to Broker-Dealers and Financial Intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the Fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your financial adviser to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial adviser or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information. See the About Your Investment—Distribution and/or Shareholder Services Expenses section for more information.

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Investment Objective and Strategies of the Fund

To achieve its objective of long-term capital growth, the Real Assets Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowing for investment purposes) in a variety of assets believed by the Adviser to represent interests in “real assets” or “real asset” industries. It is anticipated that the Fund will primarily invest in equity securities (including convertible securities) of U.S. and foreign companies, with the balance invested in precious metals and related securities, cash and cash equivalents (such as Treasury bills), fixed income securities, including inflation-linked fixed income securities (such as Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities or “TIPS”) and debt instruments that are below investment grade, commonly known as “high yield” or “junk” bonds. “Real assets,” in which the Fund will invest, include physical assets and assets that are otherwise recognized as stores of value, such as gold bullion or other precious metals, certain commodities and inflation-linked fixed income securities.

While the Fund has no current intention to make direct investments in real estate, land or equipment, it will target companies within industries related to these assets (e.g., real estate investment trusts, developers and construction businesses, real estate finance companies, real estate brokerages and other related businesses, such as home improvement and home furnishings retailers). Specifically, “real asset” industries are those that relate to ownership or production of such assets or products or services otherwise supporting such assets. These industries may include basic materials, industrials, chemicals, energy, infrastructure, real estate, and utilities, as well as related suppliers and similarly connected businesses such as businesses within the telecommunications, healthcare, automobile and consumer staples sectors or industries.

By way of example, we define the real estate industry expansively to include real estate developers, construction and brokerage, real estate holding companies (such as REITs) and real estate finance (such as mortgage REITs and other specialty lenders), as well as companies that are significant owners and operators of real estate (which might include hotel and hospital operators or agriculture and forestry businesses) and suppliers and similarly connected businesses in the real estate industry. Examples of suppliers and connected businesses in the real estate context include home improvement retailers, home furnishings retailers, construction and agricultural equipment manufacturers and distributors, and specialty businesses servicing particular sectors of what we define as the real estate industry, which may also include health care facility companies. The Fund takes a similarly expansive approach in defining the scope of other real asset industries listed here. The strategy seeks to

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preserve flexibility to shift allocations modestly among sectors and asset classes to invest where the Adviser believes the market offers the most appropriate risk-reward opportunities at any given time, within the above framework. Real assets are generally thought to perform well in periods of rising or high inflation, as compared to a broader equity portfolio. The Fund may also make investments in companies whose revenues and profits are expected to rise if the prices of real assets rise during a time of rising or high inflation.

Investment decisions for the Fund are made without regard to the capitalization (size) of the companies in which it invests. The Fund may invest in any size company, including large, medium and smaller companies. The Fund may also invest in debt instruments (e.g., notes and bonds) without regard to credit rating or time to maturity, short-term debt instruments, futures contracts related to precious metals, forward contracts related to foreign exchange and options on equity securities or indices. The Fund “counts” relevant derivative positions towards its “80% of net assets” allocation, and in doing so, values each position at the price at which it is held on the Fund’s books (generally market price). Under normal circumstances, the Fund anticipates it will allocate a portion of its assets to foreign investments (including American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”, Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”)). The Fund is not required to allocate its investments in any set percentages to any particular countries, but normally will invest in at least three countries (one of which may be the United States). The countries in which the Fund may invest may include countries whose economies are still developing (sometimes called “emerging markets”). Through its investments in “real assets” and “real asset” industries, the Fund will be invested in a number of different countries, which may include Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom.

The investment philosophy and strategy of the Fund can be broadly characterized as a “value” approach, as it seeks a “margin of safety” in each investment purchase with the goal being to avoid permanent impairment of capital (as opposed to temporary losses in share value relating to shifting investor sentiment or other normal share price volatility). In particular, a discount to “intrinsic value” is sought even for the best of businesses, with a deeper discount demanded for companies that we view as under business model, balance sheet, management or other stresses. “Intrinsic value” is based on our judgment of what a prudent and rational business buyer would pay in cash for all of the company in normal markets. See also Defensive Investment Strategies.

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More Information about the Fund’s Investments

The Fund makes some investments through a special purpose trading subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”) and may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Fund, organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company. Generally, the Subsidiary will invest in commodities and related instruments, including derivatives (e.g., gold bullion and other precious metals and related futures, and commodities-related derivatives contracts).

The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed without shareholder approval with 60 days’ notice.

Principal Investment Risks

The principal investment risks of the Fund are described below in greater detail. Other investment risks and practices also apply and are described in the Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”), which is available on request (see back cover).

Market Risk — All securities may be subject to adverse market trends. The value and liquidity of the Fund’s portfolio holdings may fluctuate in response to events specific to the companies or stock or bond markets in which the Fund invests, as well as economic, political, or social events in the United States or abroad. Markets can be volatile, and values of individual securities and other investments at times may decline significantly and rapidly. This may cause the Fund’s portfolio to be worth less than the price originally paid for it, or less than it was worth at an earlier time. Market risk may affect a single issuer or the market as a whole. As a result, a portfolio of such securities may underperform the market as a whole. Recent market conditions and events, including a global public health crisis and actions taken by governments in response, may exacerbate such volatility and may continue to negatively affect the value and liquidity of individual securities, national economies and global markets generally. Rapid changes in value or liquidity, which often are not anticipated and can relate to events not connected to particular investments, may limit the ability of the Fund to dispose of its assets at the value or time of its choosing and can result in losses.

Real Assets Companies Risk — The Fund will invest in companies operating in various industries related to real assets. To the extent there is a downturn in one or more of these industries, there would be a larger impact on the Fund than if the Fund’s portfolio were more broadly diversified. Factors that may affect these industries include, but are not limited to, government regulation or deregulation, energy conservation and supply/demand, raw material prices, commodities regulation, cost of transport, cost of labor, interest rates, and broad economic

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developments such as growth or contraction in different markets, currency valuation changes and central bank movements.

Automobile Industry Risk — The Fund may invest in the automobile industry, including automobile component manufacturing companies. The securities of automobile companies may be negatively affected by labor relations and costs, automotive technology developments (including autonomous vehicles) and consumer preferences. The automobile and automobile component sector may also be subject to significant government regulation, including tariffs, taxes, subsidies, import and export restrictions and environmental regulations. The automobile industry may have a greater exposure to a single factor, such as an increase in the price of oil, which may adversely affect the sale of automobiles and, as a result, the value of the industry’s securities.

Commodity Investments Risk — The Fund may invest in commodities-related businesses and instruments. Commodities generally can be more volatile than other types of assets. Factors that affect the volatility of commodities include, but are not limited to, commodity price movements (whether of individual commodities or indexes or other instruments linked to commodities), changes in demand, costs of transport, interest rate changes, natural disasters and extreme weather changes, such as droughts and floods, other factors affecting a particular industry or commodity such as livestock disease, changes in storage costs and policies of commodity cartels and regulatory developments, such as embargoes and tariffs.

Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The values of investments related directly to commodities may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, interest rates, and other factors such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments.

Consumer Staples Sector Risk — The Fund may invest in securities of companies in the consumer staples sector, including grocery stores and agricultural producers. The consumer staples sector may be negatively affected by demographic shifts, consumer preferences, costs of labor, environmental considerations and commodity price fluctuations. Domestic and foreign government regulations on agricultural production and trade also may affect the consumer staples sector. There is also a risk that the securities of consumer staple issuers will underperform due to legislative or regulatory chances, adverse market conditions and/or increased competition in the consumer staples sector.

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The performance of consumer staples companies historically has been closely tied to the performance of the overall economy and may experience volatility due to interest rates, competition, consumer tastes and levels of disposable household income and seasonal consumer spending. Additionally, the performance of consumer staple companies are subject to government regulation such as those affecting various food additives and production methods, which may affect the profitability of such companies.

Convertible Security Risk — The Fund may be susceptible to convertible security risk. Convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible securities of similar quality. Convertible securities may gain or lose value due to changes in the issuer’s operating results, financial condition, and credit rating and changes in interest rates or other general economic, industry and market conditions. Convertible securities generally have higher yields than common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower yields than comparable non-convertible securities. They may be less subject to fluctuation in value than the underlying stock because they have fixed income characteristics, and provide for capital appreciation if the market price of the underlying common stock increases.

Credit and Interest Rate Risk — All debt obligations, such as bonds, are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk. The value of the Fund’s portfolio may fluctuate in response to the risk that the issuer of a bond or other instrument will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. The value of the debt securities held by the Fund fluctuates with the credit quality of the issuers of those securities. The Fund could lose money if the issuer of a security is unable to meet its financial obligations or goes bankrupt. The Fund may invest in debt instruments that are below investment grade, commonly known as “high yield” or “junk” bonds, which are considered speculative, and carry a higher risk of default. In addition, fluctuations in interest rates can affect the value of debt instruments held by the Fund. A debt instrument’s “duration” is a way of measuring a debt instrument’s sensitivity to a potential change in interest rates. An increase in interest rates tends to reduce the market value of debt instruments, while a decline in interest rates tends to increase their values. Generally, debt instruments with long maturities and low coupons have the longest durations. Longer-duration instruments tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than those with shorter durations. For example, if a debt instrument has a duration of three years and interest rates increase (decrease) by 1%, then the value of that debt instrument would be expected to decline (increase) by approximately 3%.

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The Fund may face a heightened level of interest rate risk in times of monetary policy change and uncertainty, such as when the Federal Reserve Board ends a quantitative easing program and/or raises rates. A rising interest rate environment increases certain risks, including the potential for periods of volatility, increased redemptions and extended durations (i.e., extension risk). A low interest rate environment may prevent the Fund from providing a positive yield. Recent market conditions and events, including a global public health crisis and actions taken by governments in response, may exacerbate the risk that borrowers will not be able to make payments of interest and principal when due. When interest rates fall, the Fund may also face prepayment risk, meaning that an obligor will pay certain obligations more quickly than originally expected, and the Fund may have to invest the proceeds in securities with lower yields. In addition, with historically low interest rates in the United States and abroad, there is risk of significant future rate moves and related economic and market impacts. The rapid development and fluidity of these or other events may affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global markets, including liquidity and volatility, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.

Currency Risk — Currency risk is the risk that foreign currencies will decline in value relative to that of the U.S. dollar and affect the Fund’s non-U.S. currencies or securities that trade in and receive revenue in non-U.S. currencies. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate in response to, among other things, changes in interest rates, intervention (or failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the U.S. or abroad. In addition, foreign government exchange controls and restrictions on repatriation of currency can result in losses to the Fund if it is unable to deliver or receive currency or monies to settle obligations. Such governmental actions could also cause hedges the Fund has entered into to be rendered useless, resulting in the Fund having full currency exposure while incurring transaction costs.

Derivatives Risk — Futures contracts or other “derivatives,” including hedging strategies, present risks related to their significant price volatility and risk of default by the counterparty to the contract. Derivatives are subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that a loss may be sustained by the Fund as a result of the insolvency or bankruptcy of the other party to the transaction or the failure of the other party to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the transaction. Changing conditions in a particular market area, such as those experienced in the subprime and non-agency mortgage market over recent years, whether or not directly related to the referenced assets that underlie the transaction,

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may have an adverse impact on the creditworthiness of the counterparty. If the Fund invests in derivatives at inopportune times or judges market conditions incorrectly, such investments may lower the Fund’s return or result in a loss, which could also lead to an increase in redemptions of Fund shares. The Fund also could experience losses if its derivatives were poorly correlated with its other investments, or if the Fund was unable to liquidate its position because of an illiquid secondary market. The market for some derivatives is, or suddenly can become, illiquid, especially in times of financial stress. Changes in liquidity may result in significant, rapid and unpredictable changes in the prices for derivatives.

The price volatility of futures contracts has been historically greater than that of traditional securities such as stocks and bonds. The value of certain futures contracts may fluctuate in response to changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, commodity prices or other changes. Therefore, the assets of the Fund, and the prices of Fund shares, may be subject to greater volatility. The risks associated with the Fund’s use of futures contracts include: (i) market conditions that may not always create a liquid secondary market for a futures contract and, as a result, the Fund may be unable to close out its futures contracts at a time which is advantageous; (ii) the risk that losses caused by sudden, unanticipated market movements may be potentially unlimited; (iii) changes in the price of a futures contract may not always track the changes in market value of the underlying reference asset; (iv) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange, and government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts; and (v) if the Fund has insufficient cash to meet margin requirements, the Fund may need to sell other investments, including at disadvantageous times.

Emerging Market Risk — To the extent the Fund invests in emerging market securities, the Fund may be exposed to market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political, technical and other risks different from, and generally greater than, the risks of investing in developed markets. Emerging market countries typically have less-established market economies than developed countries and may face greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties. In addition, emerging markets typically present greater illiquidity and price volatility concerns due to smaller or limited local capital markets and greater difficulty in determining market valuations of securities due to limited public information on issuers.

Energy Risk — The Fund may invest in energy companies, which may be negatively affected by natural disasters (such as earthquakes, wildfires or floods), the high investment costs of exploration and other long-term projects, maintenance costs (and

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risks of obsolescence) associated with significant fixed assets, commodity prices, government regulations, and conservation efforts, among other factors.

Environmental and Climate Risks — Real asset companies and industries can be especially exposed to environmental risks, including climate change. These include, but are not limited to, environmental pollution and degradation (with potentially significant remediation costs); major weather events such as storms, droughts and wildfires; geographic and sector risks (with, for example, different regions and industries being subject to widely different levels of natural disaster and climate risk); weather pattern changes; expansion or contraction of growing seasons; company-level risks associated with differential levels of company-specific exposure and preparedness; economic risks associated with, for example, supply chain disruption, supply and demand imbalances and price shocks, infrastructure impacts and the like; commodities risks; geopolitical risks; political, regulatory and government intervention risks; and consumer sentiment risks, including the risk of boycotts and similar organized action.

The extreme weather patterns caused by climate change may increase in both frequency and intensity, which would negatively affect the companies in which the Fund invests.

Equity Risk — The value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings may fluctuate in response to the risk that the prices of equity securities, including common stock, rise and fall daily. These price movements may result from factors affecting individual companies, industries or the securities market as a whole. In addition, equity markets tend to move in cycles, which may cause stock prices to fall over short or extended periods of time. Equity securities, including common stocks, may fall due to both changes in general economic conditions that impact the market as a whole, as well as factors that directly relate to a specific company or its industry. Such general economic conditions include changes in interest rates, periods of market turbulence or instability, or general and prolonged periods of economic decline and cyclical change. It is possible that a drop in the stock market may depress the price of most or all of the common stocks that the Fund holds. In addition, equity risk includes the risk that investor sentiment toward one or more industries will become negative, resulting in those investors exiting their investments in those industries, which could cause a reduction of the value of companies in those industries more broadly. The value of a company’s common stock may fall solely because of factors, such as an increase in production costs, that negatively impact other companies in the same region, industry or sector of the market. A company’s common stock also may decline significantly in price over a short period of time due to factors specific to that

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company, including decisions made by its management or lower demand for the company’s products or services. For example, an adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report or the failure to make anticipated dividend payments, may depress the value of common stock. Equity securities generally have greater volatility than debt securities.

Foreign Investment Risks — Foreign investments, which can be denominated in any applicable foreign currency, involve certain inherent risks that are different from those of domestic investments, including political or economic instability of the issuer or the country of issue, less government supervision and regulation of foreign securities exchanges, changes in foreign currency and exchange rates, less public information about foreign companies, greater price fluctuations, and the possibility of adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations. Currency fluctuations may also affect the net asset value of the Fund irrespective of the performance of the underlying investments in foreign issuers. Foreign governments can also levy confiscatory taxes, expropriate assets and limit repatriations of assets. These risks may be more pronounced with respect to investments in emerging markets, as described above. As a result of these and other factors, foreign securities may be subject to greater price fluctuation than securities of U.S. companies.

American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) are typically trust receipts issued by a U.S. bank or trust company that evidence an indirect interest in underlying securities issued by a foreign entity. Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), and other types of depositary receipts are typically issued by non-U.S. banks or financial institutions to evidence an interest in underlying securities issued by either a U.S. or a non-U.S. entity. Investments in non-U.S. issuers through ADRs, GDRs, EDRs, and other types of depositary receipts generally involve risks applicable to other types of investments in non-U.S. issuers.

Investments in depositary receipts may be less liquid and more volatile than the underlying securities in their primary trading market. If a depositary receipt is denominated in a different currency than its underlying securities, the Fund will be subject to the currency risk of both the investment in the depositary receipt and the underlying security. The values of depositary receipts may decline for a number of reasons relating to the issuers or sponsors of the depositary receipts, including, but not limited to, insolvency of the issuer or sponsor. Holders of depositary receipts may have limited or no rights to take action with respect to the underlying securities or to compel the issuer of the receipts to take action. The prices of depositary receipts may differ from the prices of securities upon which they are based.

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The Fund may invest in unsponsored depositary receipts, which are issued by one or more depositaries without a formal agreement with the company that issues the underlying securities. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs thereof, and the depositaries of unsponsored depositary receipts frequently are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the issuers of the underlying securities or to pass through voting rights with respect to the underlying securities. In addition, the issuers of the securities underlying unsponsored depositary receipts are not obligated to disclose material information to the market and, therefore, there may be less information available regarding such issuers and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts.

Geographic Investment Risk — To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region. For example, political and economic conditions and changes in regulatory, tax, or economic policy in a country could significantly affect the market in that country and in surrounding or related countries and have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance. Currency developments or restrictions, political and social instability, and changing economic conditions have resulted in significant market volatility. While the Fund is not required to allocate its investments in any set percentages to any particular countries, it normally will invest in at least three countries (one of which may be the United States). The Fund reserves the right to dynamically allocate its assets across countries and regions. The Fund expects that a substantial portion of the companies in which the Fund will invest will be domiciled in Europe, Canada and Japan, although the operations of such companies may take place in other countries.

Canada Risk — Canada is a significant exporter of natural resources, such as oil, natural gas and agricultural products. As a result, the Canadian economy is susceptible to adverse changes in certain commodities markets. It is also heavily dependent on trading with key partners, including the United States, Mexico, and China. Any reduction in trading with these key partners may adversely affect the Canadian economy. Canada’s dependency on the economy of the United States, in particular, the makes Canada’s economy vulnerable to political and regulatory changes affecting the United States economy. These and other factors could negatively affect the Fund’s performance.

European Risk — The Fund’s investments may subject it to the risks associated with investing in the European markets, including the risks associated with the

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United Kingdom’s (“UK”) exit from the European Union (“Brexit”). Investments in a single region, even though representing a number of different countries within the region, may be affected by common economic forces and other factors. A number of countries in the European Union (the “EU”) have experienced, and may continue to experience, severe economic and financial difficulties, increasing the risk of investing in the European markets. Pursuant to an agreement setting out the terms on which the UK may leave the European Union (“Brexit”), the UK formally withdrew from the EU, effective January 31, 2020, and entered into a transition period (the “Transition Period”). The Transition Period ended on December 31, 2020. During the Transition Period, certain transitional arrangements were in effect, such that the UK continued to be treated, in most respects, as if it were still a member of the EU, and generally remained subject to EU law. On December 24, 2020, the EU and the UK reached an agreement in principle on the terms of certain agreements and declarations governing the ongoing relationship between the EU and the UK, including the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (the “Agreement”), and on December 30, 2020, the Council of the European Union adopted a decision authorizing the signature of the Agreement and its provisional application for a limited period between January 1, 2021 to February 28, 2021, pending ratification of the Agreement by the European Parliament. The Agreement is limited in its scope primarily to the trade of goods, transport, energy links and fishing, and uncertainties remain relating to certain aspects of the UK’s future economic, trading and legal relationships with the EU and with other countries. The actual or potential consequences of Brexit, and the associated uncertainty, could adversely affect economic and market conditions in the UK, in the EU and its member states and elsewhere, and could contribute to instability in global financial markets. The impact of such events on the Fund is difficult to predict but they may adversely affect the return on the Fund and its investments. There may be detrimental implications for the value of certain of the Fund’s investments, their ability to enter into transactions or to value or realize such investments or otherwise to implement its investment program. It is possible that certain of the Fund’s investments may need to be restructured to enable the Fund’s objectives to be pursued fully. This may increase costs or make it more difficult for the Fund to pursue its investment objectives.

To the extent the Fund has exposure to European markets or to transactions tied to the value of the euro, these events could negatively affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. All of these developments may continue to

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significantly affect the economies of all EU countries, which in turn may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s investments in such countries, other countries that depend on EU countries for significant amounts of trade or investment, or issuers with exposure to debt issued by certain EU countries.

Further, political or economic disruptions in European countries, even in countries in which the Fund is not invested, may adversely affect security values and thus the Fund’s holdings.

Japan Risk — The Japanese economy is heavily dependent upon international trade and may be subject to considerable degrees of economic, political and social instability. The Japanese yen has fluctuated widely during recent periods and may be affected by currency volatility elsewhere in Asia, especially Southeast Asia. In addition, the yen has had a history of unpredictable and volatile movements against the U.S. dollar. The performance of the global economy could have a major impact upon equity returns in Japan. Since the mid-2000s, Japan’s economic growth has remained relatively low. A recent economic recession was likely compounded by an unstable financial sector, low domestic consumption, and certain corporate structural weaknesses, which remain some of the major issues facing the Japanese economy. Japan has also experienced natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tidal waves, of varying degrees of severity. These and other factors could negatively affect the Fund’s performance.

Gold Risk — The Fund may invest in gold and gold-related issues. The Fund is therefore susceptible to specific political and economic risks affecting the price of gold and other precious metals (e.g., silver) including changes in U.S. and foreign regulatory policies, tax, currency or mining laws, increased environmental costs, international monetary and political policies, economic conditions within an individual country, trade imbalances, and trade or currency restrictions between countries. The price of gold, in turn, is likely to affect the market prices of securities of companies mining or processing gold, and accordingly, the value of the Fund’s investments in such securities may also be affected. Gold-related investments as a group have not performed as well as the stock market in general during periods when the U.S. dollar is strong, inflation is low and general economic conditions are stable. In addition, returns on gold-related investments have traditionally been more volatile than investments in broader equity or debt markets. Other factors that may affect the prices of gold, precious metals and securities related to them include changes in industrial and commercial demand for gold and precious metals.

28First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

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Although the risks related to investing in gold and other precious metals (e.g., silver) directly are similar to those of investing in precious metal finance and operating companies, as just described, there are additional considerations, including custody and transaction costs that may be higher than those involving securities. Moreover, holding gold results in no income being derived from such holding, unlike certain securities which may pay dividends or make other current payments. Although the Fund has contractual protections with respect to the credit risk of its custodian, gold held in physical form (even in a segregated account) involves the risk of delay in obtaining the assets in the case of bankruptcy or insolvency of the custodian. This could impair disposition of the assets under those circumstances. In addition, income derived from trading in gold and certain contracts and derivatives relating to gold may result in negative tax consequences. Finally, although not currently anticipated, if gold in the future were held in a book account, it would involve risks of the credit of the party holding the gold.

Healthcare Sector Risk — The Fund may invest in companies in the healthcare sector, including healthcare facility companies. Healthcare companies are subject to Federal, state and local oversight regarding, as an example, licensing, certification, pharmaceutical distribution and provision of care. Healthcare companies are also dependent on the continued availability of government reimbursement programs (Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security) for revenues.

Healthcare companies may be subject to risks resulting from legislative or regulatory changes, adverse market conditions and/or increased competition affecting their share of the market. Due to the rapid pace of technological development, there is also a risk that the products or services developed by these companies may become rapidly obsolete or have relatively short product cycles. There is also a risk that the products and services offered by these companies will not meet expectations or be sold in the marketplace.

Infrastructure Risk — The Fund may invest in securities of companies that focus on infrastructure related activities, including utilities and transport companies. These securities are subject to various related risks, including but not limited to, supply and demand for infrastructure related services, the high investment costs of long-term projects, maintenance costs (and risks of obsolescence) associated with significant fixed assets, political developments, changing interest rates which may affect infrastructure financing, difficulty raising capital, regulatory changes (and costs associated therewith) including, rate changes, inexperience with deregulation of certain industries, tax law changes, environmental issues, disruptions in commodities

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202129


 

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markets (e.g., volatility in oil prices), technological developments, threat of terrorism and catastrophic weather events.

Infrastructure-related companies may adversely affected by the recent spread of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”), which may cause decreased demand for infrastructure projects and delays or cancellations in infrastructure projects. COVID-19 may affect certain infrastructure projects (for example, airports or toll-roads) more than others.

Inflation/Deflation Risk — Although the Fund is intended to provide a measure of protection against inflation, it is possible it will not do so to the extent intended. There is no guarantee that real assets will perform better than a broader equity portfolio during times of rising or high inflation. The Fund’s investments may be adversely affected to a greater extent than other investments during periods of deflation when asset prices decrease over time across the economy.

Large-Size Company Risk — The Fund may investment in larger, more established companies, the securities of which may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges like changes in consumer tastes or innovative smaller competitors. Larger companies are generally more mature than smaller companies. They also may have fewer new market opportunities for their products or services, may focus resources on maintaining their market share, and may be unable to respond quickly to new competitive challenges. As a result, the securities issued by these companies may not be able to reach the same levels of growth as the securities issued by small and medium-size companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. The Fund considers large companies to be companies with market capitalizations of $10 billion or greater.

Natural Resources Risk — The Fund may invest in securities of companies that focus on natural resources. The securities of these companies may be negatively affected by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, natural disasters in natural resource areas, commodity price volatility, taxes and other government regulations, conservation efforts and other global political and economic developments. In addition, interest rates and general economic conditions may affect demand for natural resources. By way of example, man-made disasters and the liability for environmental disasters can have significant negative impact on the price of a company investing in natural resources. Additionally, other events occurring in nature (such as earthquakes or wildfires) and political events (such as coups or acts of terrorism) can affect overall supply of natural resources and the valuation of companies involved in natural resources space. Prices of precious metals have historically been volatile due to environmental, social and political factors. All of

30First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

More Information about the Fund’s Investments

these factors may affect the Fund more acutely than if the Fund did not invest in companies investing in natural resources.

The rate of growth of companies involved in the natural resources sector may be irregular, as these companies are strongly affected by natural disasters, global economic cycles and international developments. By way of example, stock prices of energy companies can fall dramatically when oil prices fluctuate and stock prices of mining companies may be negatively affected by resource availability and governmental regulations.

New Fund Risk — The Fund may not be successful in implementing its investment strategy, and its investment strategy may not be successful under all future market conditions, either of which could result in the Fund being liquidated at some future time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable for certain shareholders. New funds may not attract sufficient assets to achieve investment, trading or other efficiencies.

Options Risk — When trading options, the Fund may incur losses or forego otherwise realizable gains if market prices do not move as expected. An option is an agreement that, for a premium payment or fee, gives the option holder (the purchaser) the right but not the obligation to buy (a “call option”) or sell (a “put option”) the underlying asset (or settle for cash an amount based on an underlying asset, rate, or index) at a specified price (the “exercise price”) during a period of time or on a specified date. Investments in options are considered speculative. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, or in interest or currency exchange rates, including the implied volatility, which in turn are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political and economic events.

When the Fund purchases an option, it may lose the total premium paid for it if the price of the underlying security or other assets decreased, remained the same or failed to increase to a level at or beyond the exercise price (in the case of a call option) or increased, remained the same or failed to decrease to a level at or below the exercise price (in the case of a put option). If a call or put option purchased by the Fund were permitted to expire without being sold or exercised, its premium would represent a loss to the Fund.

By writing put options, the Fund takes on the risk of declines in the value of the underlying instrument, including the possibility of a loss up to the entire exercise price of each option it sells but without the corresponding opportunity to benefit

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202131


 

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from potential increases in the value of the underlying instrument. When the Fund writes a put option, it assumes the risk that it must purchase the underlying instrument at an exercise price that may be higher than the market price of the instrument. If there is a broad market decline and the Fund is not able to close out its written put options, it may result in substantial losses to the Fund. By writing a call option, the Fund may be obligated to deliver instruments underlying an option at less than the market price. In the case of an uncovered call option, there is a risk of unlimited loss. When an uncovered call is exercised, the Fund must purchase the underlying instrument to meet its call obligations and the necessary instruments may be unavailable for purchase. The Fund will receive a premium from writing options, but the premium received may not be sufficient to offset any losses sustained from exercised options.

By writing call and put options on underlying instruments, the returns of the options writing strategy will be determined by the performance of the underlying instrument.

Real Estate Industry Risk — The Fund may invest in securities of companies that focus on real estate related activities. Real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) are an example, as are developers and construction businesses, real estate finance companies, real estate brokerages and other related businesses, such as home improvement and home furnishings retailers. Real estate and its related businesses are highly dependent on market conditions, including interest rates. Other real estate industry risks include competition, property obsolescence and casualty risks (such as fire, flood and the like). REITs are subject special risks including the quality and skill of REIT management and the internal expenses of the REIT. Many types of businesses, including hotels, hospitals, agriculture and forestry, are significant owners and operators of real estate and can be directly or indirectly exposed to similar risks in addition to their own more sector-specific risks. Real estate income and values may be negatively affected by general and local economic developments such as extended vacancies of properties, as well as demographic trends, such as population movement or changing tastes and values. Real estate income and values also may be negatively affected by condemnations, tax law changes, zoning law changes, regulatory limits on rent, environmental regulations and the availability of mortgage financing and changes in interest rates.

Real estate is a cyclical industry, highly sensitive to general and local economic developments and characterized by intense competition and periodic overbuilding. For example, changes in tax or zoning laws, overbuilding, environmental issues, changes in interest rates, and other factors could hurt real estate companies. When growth is slowing, demand for property decreases and prices may decline. Rising

32First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

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interest rates, which drive up mortgage and financing costs, can restrain construction and buying and selling activity, and may reduce the appeal of real estate investments.

Small and Medium-Size Company Risk — In addition to investments in larger companies, the Fund may invest in smaller and medium-size companies, which historically have been more volatile in price than larger company securities, especially over the short term. Positions in small companies, especially when the Fund is a large holder of a small company’s securities, also may be more difficult or expensive to trade. Among the reasons for the greater price volatility are the less certain growth prospects of small companies, the lower degree of liquidity in the markets for such securities and the greater sensitivity of smaller companies to changing economic conditions. In addition, smaller companies may lack depth of management, they may be unable to generate funds necessary for growth or development, or they may be developing or marketing new products or services for which markets are not yet established and may never become established. The Fund considers small companies to be companies with market capitalizations of less than $1 billion and medium-size companies to have market capitalizations of less than $10 billion.

Subsidiary Risk — By investing in the Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with that Subsidiary’s investments. The Subsidiaries are not registered under the 1940 Act and are not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or a Subsidiary to operate as expected and could adversely affect the Fund.

Telecommunications Industry Risk — The Fund may invest in telecommunications companies. Telecommunication companies are primarily engaged in the development, manufacturing or provision of communications services or equipment, including cable, satellite, radio, telephone and communication mediums. Risks associated with telecommunications companies include government regulation of rates and prices, anti-trust considerations, competition, rapid obsolescence and changes in consumer tastes.

The telecommunications industry is subject to government regulation and greater overall price volatility than the overall market. Telecommunications companies may experience distressed cash flows due to increasing capital expenditures to meet increasing competition, particularly in launching new projects and services using new technology. Certain telecommunications companies in the United States are subject to both state and federal regulations affecting permitted rates of return and types of services that may be offered, which can affect the prices companies can charge and their profits as a result.

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202133


 

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Utilities Industry Risk — The Fund may invest in securities of companies in the utilities sector. Securities in the utilities industry can be volatile and affected significantly by supply and demand for services or fuel, government regulation, including rate regulations and conversation programs, commodity price volatility, interest rate changes and other financing considerations. Additionally, climate change or man-made disasters may have a catastrophic impact on existing plants and equipment of utility companies.

When interest rates increase, the value of securities issued by utility companies have historically decreased. In most countries and localities, the utilities industry is regulated by governmental entities, which may increase costs and delays for new projects, as well as making it difficult to pass costs on to consumers. In certain areas, the deregulation of utilities has resulted in increased competition and decreased profitability. Reduced profitability, as well as new uses for or additional need for capital, may reduce dividend payout rates for utility companies. Additionally, utility companies face the risk of increasing costs and reduced availability of fuel (such as oil, coal, natural gas or nuclear energy) and potentially higher interest costs for borrowing to finance new projects.

Value Investment Risk — An investment strategy that employs a “value” approach may pose a risk to the Fund that such investment strategy may not be successfully achieved. An investment made at a perceived “margin of safety” or “discount to intrinsic or fundamental value” can trade at prices substantially lower than when an investment is made, so that any perceived “margin of safety” or “discount to value” is no guarantee against loss. “Value” investments, as a category, or entire industries or sectors associated with such investments, may lose favor with investors as compared to those that are more “growth” oriented. In such an event, the Fund’s investment returns would be expected to lag relative to returns associated with more growth-oriented investment strategies. Investing in or having exposure to “value” securities presents the risk that such securities may never reach what the Adviser believes are their full market values, either because the market fails to recognize what the Adviser considers to be the security’s true value or because the Adviser misjudged that value.

Defensive Investment Strategies

The Fund has the flexibility to respond promptly to changes in market and economic conditions. For example, a defensive strategy may be warranted during periods of unfavorable market or economic conditions, including periods of market turbulence or periods when prevailing market valuations are higher than those deemed attractive

34First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

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under the investment criteria generally applied on behalf of the Fund. Under a defensive strategy, the Fund may hold cash and/or invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality debt instruments or money market instruments of U.S. or foreign issuers. In such a case, the Fund may not be able to pursue, and may not achieve, its investment objective. It is impossible to predict whether, when or for how long the Fund will employ defensive strategies.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

A description of the Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to disclosure of its portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (in the section titled Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings), which is available to you without charge. Top position holdings (generally either top 10 or top five depending on the concentration represented), as well as certain statistical information relating to portfolio holdings such as region or sector breakdowns, for the Fund are posted to the website on a monthly basis within 15 days after the end of each month. These postings can be located behind the Portfolio tab on the Fund’s page of the website and generally are available for at least 30 days from their date of posting. Certain archived top holding postings are also available.

Fund Indices

Performance history will be included for the Fund after the Fund has been in operation for one calendar year. The Average Annual Total Returns table to be included in the Prospectus at that time will illustrate how the Fund’s average annual returns for different calendar periods compare to the returns of one or more indices. These indices are not available for purchase. Additional information on the indices is set out below.

The MSCI World Index captures large- and mid-cap representation across 23 developed markets countries. Developed markets countries include Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the U.S. With 1,563 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U) is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, and is comprised of components such as housing, food transportation and energy. It is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and covers approximately 93% of the total U.S. population.

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202135


 

Fund Management

The Adviser

The Adviser is First Eagle Investment Management, LLC, a subsidiary of First Eagle Holdings, Inc. (“FE Holdings”). Based in New York City since 1937, FE Holdings, formerly Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder Holdings, Inc., traces its heritage to the German banking house Gebr. Arnhold, founded in Dresden in 1864. A controlling interest in FE Holdings is owned by BCP CC Holdings L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“BCP CC Holdings”). BCP CC Holdings GP L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (“BCP CC Holdings GP”), is the general partner of BCP CC Holdings and has two managing members, Blackstone Capital Partners VI L.P. (“BCP VI”) and Corsair IV Financial Services Capital Partners L.P. (“Corsair IV”). BCP VI and Corsair IV are indirectly controlled by Blackstone Inc. (“Blackstone”) and Corsair Capital LLC (“Corsair”), respectively. Investment vehicles indirectly controlled by Blackstone and Corsair and certain co-investors own a majority economic interest in FE Holdings and the Adviser through BCP CC Holdings. The Adviser offers a variety of investment management services. In addition to the Fund, its clients include the First Eagle Variable Funds, other pooled vehicles, corporations, foundations and major retirement plans. As of October 31, 2021, the Adviser had over $91.7 billion under management. The Adviser’s address is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

Benjamin Bahr, John Masi George Ross and David Wang manage Real Assets Fund. Their professional backgrounds are below.

Benjamin Bahr joined First Eagle Investment Management, LLC in 2015 and is also a senior research analyst. Prior to that, Mr. Bahr was a research analyst at AllianceBernstein, where he covered telecommunication services and utilities for the firm’s value strategies. Previously, he worked as an investment banking analyst at Deutsche Bank Securities.

John Masi joined First Eagle Investment Management, LLC in 2012 and is also a senior research analyst. Prior to that, Mr. Masi was a research analyst at Rudman Capital.

George Ross joined First Eagle Investment Management, LLC in 2003 and is also a portfolio manager of the Capital Income strategy and a senior research analyst. Prior to that, Mr. Ross worked as a software engineer for I-Deal LLC and Reuters.

David Wang joined First Eagle Investment Management, LLC in 2017 and is also a senior research analyst. Prior to that, Mr. Wang was a research associate at Dodge & Cox, where he covered energy, industrials and healthcare services.

36First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

Fund Management

Additional information regarding these portfolio managers’ compensation, other accounts managed and ownership of securities in the First Eagle Funds is available in the Statement of Additional Information. The portfolio managers are supported in their duties by a team of investment professionals employed by the Adviser. Also available in the Statement of Additional Information is certain background information regarding these investment professionals.

Pursuant to an advisory agreement with the Fund, the Adviser is responsible for the management of the Fund’s portfolio. In return for its investment management services, the Fund pays the Adviser a fee at the annual rate of the average daily value of its net assets as follows:

 

 

 

Management Fee

Real Assets Fund

 

 

0.65

%*

 

 

 

*

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse certain fees and expenses of Classes A, I and R6 so that the total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales, and extraordinary expenses, if any) (“annual operating expenses”) of each class are limited to 1.10%, 0.85% and 0.85% of average net assets, respectively. Each of these undertakings lasts until February 28, 2023 and may not be terminated during its term without the consent of the Board of Trustees. The Fund has agreed that each of Classes A, I and R6 will repay FEIM for fees and expenses waived or reimbursed for the class provided that repayment does not cause annual operating expenses (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed either: (1) 1.10%, 0.85% and 0.85% of the class’ average net assets, respectively; or (2) if applicable, the then-current expense limitations. Any such repayment must be made within three years after the year in which FEIM incurred the expense.

The Adviser also performs certain administrative, accounting, operations, compliance and other services on behalf of the Fund, and in accordance with its agreement with it, the Fund reimburses the Adviser for the costs (including personnel, related overhead and other costs) related to those services. This reimbursement may not exceed an annual rate of 0.05% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets. This reimbursement comprises a portion, and sometimes a substantial portion, of the Fund’s “Other Expenses” in the fees and expenses table at the beginning of this Prospectus.

Expense ratios are subject to change in response to changes in the Fund’s average net assets or for other reasons. A decline in average net assets can be expected to increase the impact of operating expenses.

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202137


 

Fund Management

Approval of Advisory Agreement

A discussion regarding the basis of the Fund’s Board of Trustees’ (“Board of Trustees”) approval of the Advisory Agreement between the Fund and the Adviser will be available in the Annual or Semi-Annual Report to shareholders for financial reporting periods in which the Advisory Agreement was acted upon by the Board of Trustees.

38First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

About Your Investment

Investing requires a plan. Whether you invest on your own or use the services of a financial professional, you should create a strategy designed to meet your short-term and long-term financial goals.

How to Purchase Shares

The minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts generally required for share classes of the Fund are included in the table below. If you invest through a financial intermediary, your financial intermediary may establish higher or lower minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts.

 

 

 

 

 

Minimum Investments

 

Initial*

 

Subsequent

First Eagle Real Assets Fund

Class A

 

 

 

$2,500

 

 

 

 

$100

 

 

Class I

 

 

 

1,000,000

**

 

 

 

 

100

 

 

Class R6

 

 

 

None

 

 

 

 

None

 

 

 

*

 

Minimum initial investment is $1,000 for Class A shares in an individual retirement account (instead of $2,500 as is otherwise required).

 

**

 

The current aggregate net asset value of a shareholder’s accounts in any of the First Eagle Funds may qualify for purposes of meeting the initial minimum investment amount for those First Eagle Funds which have Class I shares. The minimum may be waived for Class I shares for certain wrap fee programs if approved by FEF Distributors, LLC and for certain intermediaries that have entered into a relevant agreement with FEF Distributors, LLC.

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202139


 

About Your Investment

The Trust typically does not offer or sell its shares to non-U.S. residents. For purposes of this policy, a U.S. resident is defined as an account with (i) a U.S. address of record (including Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO) and Diplomatic Post Office (DPO) addresses) and (ii) all account owners residing in the United States at the time of sale. Any existing account that is updated to reflect a non-U.S. address may also be restricted from making additional investments. “Starter” checks and third-party checks will not be accepted for purposes of purchasing shares, but third-party checks may be accepted in connection with individual retirement account rollovers. Third-party transactions, except those for the benefit of custodial accounts or participants in employee benefit plans, are not permitted. The Trust reserves the right to waive the initial minimum investment amounts, at the discretion of the principal underwriter, for certain investors, including Trust employees and trustees, and employees and officers of the Adviser and its affiliates. The Fund’s shares may be purchased through authorized dealers or, in limited circumstances, through the Fund’s transfer agent, DST Systems Inc. (“DST” or the “Transfer Agent”). A completed and signed application is required to open an account with the Fund. If there is no application accompanying this Prospectus, please call 800.334.2143 to obtain one.

FEF Distributors, LLC (“FEF Distributors” or the “Distributor”), the Fund’s principal underwriter (and a subsidiary of the Adviser), reserves the right to limit the purchase of the Fund’s shares when it is in the best interest of the Fund.

The Trust and the Distributor reserve the right to refuse any share purchase order for any reason they deem appropriate. For example, the Trust or Distributor may reject purchase orders due to nonpayment, and they may refuse orders from investors identified as money-laundering risks and those responsible for potentially disruptive trading practices, such as “market timing.” Share purchases are not binding on the Trust or the Distributor (and accordingly may be rejected) until they are confirmed as paid by the Transfer Agent. All payments must be made in U.S. dollars, and all checks must be drawn on U.S. banks.

Cash or cash equivalents (such as travelers’ checks, cashiers’ checks, bankers’ “official checks” or money orders) will generally not be accepted, however certain cash equivalents will be permitted for IRA transfers and retirement asset rollovers. As a condition of this offering, if an investor’s purchase is canceled due to nonpayment or because his or her check or Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) transfer does not clear, the investor will be responsible for any loss the Fund may incur as a result thereof. In limited circumstances, completed purchases also may be cancelled when the Distributor or Transfer Agent receives satisfactory instructions that a trade order was placed in error.

40First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

About Your Investment

Anti-Money Laundering Compliance

The Trust and the Distributor are required to comply with various anti-money laundering laws and regulations. Consequently, the Trust or the Distributor may request additional information from you to verify your identity and source of funds. For individual investors, such information typically will include name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. Such information also may include requests for documents such as driver’s license or other government-issued identification. For entity investors, such information typically will include name, principal business address, taxpayer identification number, corporate documents such as articles of incorporation, trust or partnership agreements, by-laws and similar documents, and also may include requests for documents confirming the authority and identity of those having control over the entity or its trading.

If the Trust or Distributor believes the information submitted does not provide adequate identity verification, it reserves the right to reject the establishment of your account or close the account at its current net asset value. If, at any time, the Trust believes an investor may be involved in suspicious activity, or if certain account information matches data on government lists of suspicious persons, the Trust or Distributor may choose to prohibit the establishment of a new account for the purchase of Fund shares or may be required to “freeze” an account. They also may be required to provide a governmental agency or another financial institution with information about transactions that have occurred in a shareholder’s account or to transfer monies received to establish a new account, transfer an existing account or transfer the proceeds of an existing account to a governmental agency. In some circumstances, the law may not permit the Trust or the Distributor to inform the investor it has taken the actions described above.

How Fund Share Prices Are Calculated

The Fund computes its net asset value once daily as of the close of trading on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading. Net asset value for purchase or sale orders which are received by the Fund on any business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE will be calculated as of that same day. If the purchase or sale request is received on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a non-business day (weekend or financial market holiday), net asset value will be calculated as of the close of regular trading on the next business day. The net asset value per share is computed by dividing the total current value of the assets of the Fund, less its liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding at the time of such computation. Because the Fund may invest in securities listed on foreign exchanges that may trade on weekends or other days when the Fund does not

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202141


 

About Your Investment

price its shares, the Fund’s share values may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem shares. The Fund uses pricing services to identify the market prices of publicly traded securities in its portfolio. When market prices are determined to be “stale” as a result of limited market activity for a particular holding, or in other circumstances when market prices are unavailable, such as for private placements, or when market prices have been materially affected by events occurring after the close of trading on the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded but before the Fund’s NAV is calculated, or determined to be unreliable for a particular holding, such holdings may be “fair valued” in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Additionally, trading of foreign equity securities on most foreign markets is completed before the close in trading in U.S. markets. The Fund has implemented fair value pricing on a daily basis for all foreign securities, as available, to account for the market movement between the close of the foreign market and the close of the NYSE. The fair value pricing utilizes factors provided by an independent pricing service. The values assigned to the Fund’s foreign holdings therefore may differ on occasion from reported market values. The Board and the Adviser believe relying on the procedures as just described will result in prices that are more reflective of the actual market value of portfolio securities held by the Fund than relying solely on reported market values. The Distributor may authorize certain dealers to receive on its behalf purchase and redemption orders (“authorized dealers”). In turn, these authorized dealers may designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Distributor’s behalf (“designated intermediaries”). Orders for shares received by DST, authorized dealers, or designated intermediaries prior to the close of trading on the NYSE will be processed based on that day’s net asset value determined as of the close of trading on the NYSE that day. If an order is received by DST, an authorized dealer, or a designated intermediary after the close of the NYSE, it will be priced the next day the NYSE is open for trading.

Purchases Through Dealers and Financial Intermediaries

You may purchase the Fund’s shares from selected securities dealers with whom the Distributor has sales agreements. You also may obtain additional new account applications from such authorized dealers. For a list of authorized dealers, please contact the Distributor at 800.747.2008. Authorized dealers and financial services firms are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase orders to FEF Distributors and for monitoring applicable breakpoint or sales charge reductions for their accounts. Certain broker-dealers or financial services firms may purchase shares at their net asset value, without a sales commission, and charge investors a transaction charge or other advisory fee through a wrap-fee or similar program.

42First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

About Your Investment

Class A shares of the Fund are sold with a front-end sales commission and a Rule 12b-1 annual distribution fee. Class I shares of the Fund are made available primarily to investors purchasing through a fee-based program with their investment adviser or broker-dealer, through a group retirement plan in which they participate, or, for certain investors, by direct purchases through the Transfer Agent in quantities of $1 million or more. Class I shares may also be available on certain brokerage platforms (pursuant to a relevant agreement with FEF Distributors). An investor transacting in Class I shares through a broker acting as an agent for the investor may be required to pay a commission and/or other forms of compensation to the broker. Class R6 shares of the Fund are sold primarily to group retirement plans. (Class R6 shares may be available to non-group retirement plans through certain fee-based platforms that have entered into an agreement with FEF Distributors.)

Authorized dealers and financial services firms may impose a charge for handling purchase transactions and may have particular requirements concerning purchases. Contact your authorized dealer or financial services firm for more information. The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts will depend on whether you purchase your shares directly through the Transfer Agent or through an authorized dealer or other financial intermediary. Intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales load waivers or contingent deferred (back-end) sales load waivers. In all instances, it is the purchaser’s responsibility to notify the Fund or the purchaser’s financial intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying the purchaser for sales charge waivers or discounts. For waivers and discounts not available through a particular intermediary, shareholders will have to purchase Fund shares through another intermediary to receive these waivers or discounts. See the Appendix to this Prospectus titled Intermediary-Specific Front-End Sales Load and Waiver Terms for more information.

If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your financial adviser to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial adviser or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202143


 

About Your Investment

Public Offering Price of Class A Shares

The public offering price of Class A shares equals the net asset value per share plus a sales charge. The Class A sales charges* for the Fund are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A Shares Dollars Invested

 

Sales Charge as a Percentage of

 

Dealer Allowance
As a Percentage
of Offering Price

 

Offering Price

 

Net Amount
Invested

 

Less than $25,000

 

 

 

5.00

%

 

 

 

 

5.26

%

 

 

 

 

4.50

%

 

 

$25,000 but less than $50,000

 

 

 

4.50

 

 

 

 

4.71

 

 

 

 

4.25

 

 

$50,000 but less than $100,000

 

 

 

4.00

 

 

 

 

4.17

 

 

 

 

3.75

 

 

$100,000 but less than $250,000

 

 

 

3.25

 

 

 

 

3.36

 

 

 

 

3.00

 

 

$250,000 but less than $500,000

 

 

 

2.50

 

 

 

 

2.56

 

 

 

 

2.25

 

 

$500,000 but less than $1,000,000

 

 

 

1.50

 

 

 

 

1.52

 

 

 

 

1.25

 

 

$1,000,000 and over**

 

 

 

0.00

 

 

 

 

0.00

 

 

 

 

0.00

 

 

The Distributor re-allows discounts to selected dealers with whom it has sales agreements and is entitled to retain the balance over dealer discounts. The Distributor may re-allow the entire sales load, and, as described in Distribution and/or Shareholder Services Expenses, may provide additional promotional incentives to dealers selling the Fund’s shares. In some instances, the entire reallowance or incentive may be offered only to certain dealers that have sold or may sell significant amounts of the Fund’s shares. Authorized dealers to whom substantially the entire sales charge is reallowed may be deemed to be underwriters, according to the definition under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

*

 

Information relating to sales charges is available at www.feim.com/individual-investors.

 

**

 

See the following section titled Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.

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About Your Investment

Class A shares of the Fund also carry a Rule 12b-1 annual 0.25% distribution fee. Because the Rule 12b-1 fee is paid from your investment on an ongoing basis, over time these fees ultimately may cost more than paying other types of sales charges. The distribution plans and agreements adopted by the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act are described in Distribution and/or Shareholder Services Expenses.

Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge

There is no initial sales charge on purchases of Class A shares of the Fund aggregating $1 million or more. The Distributor may pay dealers of record “finder’s fee” commissions of up to 1.00% of purchases of Class A shares not previously subject to a front-end sales charge or dealer commission paid by the investor.***

These finder’s fee commissions will be paid with respect to (i) purchases aggregating (on a single trade date) $1 million or more by any “person,” which term includes any account having the same mailing address or tax identification number; (ii) accounts with completed letters of intention of $1 million or more; and (iii) certain group retirement plans investing through an omnibus account making any single purchase of Class A shares of $1 million or more. Subsequent purchases will need to aggregate $1 million or more to be eligible for this commission (and appropriate documentation will be required to verify additional aggregations).

Finder’s fee commissions also may be paid under certain other circumstances. Your dealer will advise you if any such commissions are paid with respect to your account. If you redeem any shares as to which such a finder’s fee commission was paid within 18 months of the end of the calendar month of their purchase, a contingent deferred sales charge (called the “Class A contingent deferred sales charge”) may be deducted from the redemption proceeds. The Class A contingent deferred sales charge will not exceed 1.00% of the lesser of (i) the aggregate net asset value of the redeemed shares at the time of redemption (excluding shares purchased with reinvested dividends or capital gain distributions), or (ii) the original net asset value of the redeemed shares.

If you are investing through a retirement plan, your plan administrator can advise you whether such a finder’s fee commission has been charged against the plan. If so, the plan may be subject to the Class A contingent deferred sales charge if fully redeemed within 18 months of the end of the calendar month of the relevant share purchase.

In determining whether a Class A contingent deferred sales charge is payable when shares are redeemed, shares that are not subject to the sales charge, including those

  

 

 

*** Dealers should call the Distributor at 800.747.2008 to discuss the further terms that apply to this commission.

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About Your Investment

purchased with reinvested dividends and capital gains, will be redeemed first. The remaining shares will be redeemed in the order in which you purchased them.

The Class A contingent deferred sales charge is not charged on Class A exchanges. However, if the shares acquired by exchange are redeemed within 18 calendar months of the end of the calendar month in which the exchanged shares were originally purchased, then the Class A contingent deferred sales charges will apply.

Reducing the Sales Charge

As the table in Public Offering Price of Class A Shares shows, larger investments in Class A shares of the Fund will reduce the sales charge on the investment, resulting in what are frequently called sales charge “breakpoints.” Not all terms are available through all of the Fund’s authorized dealers or other intermediaries. To claim a breakpoint or other reduced sales charge, notify your dealer, the Distributor or DST at the time of purchase that one of the following applies (including, if relevant, the existence of all accounts or balances applicable to the calculation of any breakpoints or other sales charge reductions):

 

 

Aggregation. The sales charge schedule applies to the total amount invested in Class A shares by any “person,” which, for purposes of calculating sales charges, includes any account having the same mailing address or tax identification number. Therefore, if you purchase shares for several accounts at the same time, you may combine these investments into a single transaction to reduce the applicable sales charge. You may not combine individual accounts with corporate/ partnership accounts for purposes of reducing the sales charge.

 

 

Rights of Accumulation. If you already are a First Eagle Funds shareholder, you may purchase Class A shares at a reduced sales charge by combining the amount being invested with the current net asset value of any share class you already own. If the current net asset value of the qualifying shares already held plus the net asset value of the current purchase exceeds a point in the sales charge schedule at which the charge is reduced, the entire current purchase is eligible for the reduced sales charge. To take advantage of your rights of accumulation, notify your dealer, the Distributor or DST at the time of purchase.

 

 

Letter of Intention. You may qualify for a reduced sales charge by completing the Letter of Intention contained in the New Account Application or the Special Options Form, which you may obtain by contacting the Trust at 800.334.2143.

     

This process allows you to combine aggregate purchases of Class A shares of the Fund during a 13-month period, for purposes of calculating the

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About Your Investment

 

 

 

applicable sales charge. Shares you currently own will be credited as purchases toward the completion of the Letter of Intention at their net asset value on the date the letter is executed. No retroactive adjustments will be made. For each investment you make, you must notify your dealer, the Distributor or DST that such a letter is on file along with all account numbers associated with the letter. The letter is not a binding obligation. Nevertheless, 5% of the amount specified in the Letter of Intention will be held in escrow, and if your purchases are less than the amount specified, you must remit to the Fund an amount equal to the difference between the sales charge paid and the sales charge applicable to the total purchases actually made. If you do not remit the payment within 20 days after written request, the Trust will redeem an appropriate number of escrowed shares to realize the difference. The sales charge applicable to the investment will not be higher than if you had not submitted a Letter of Intention. Either you (subject to these escrow rules) or the Trust may cancel the arrangement at will.

 

 

Sales at Net Asset Value. Class A shares of the Fund can be sold at net asset value (without a sales charge) to:

 

 

registered representatives or employees of authorized dealers; or the immediate family members of such persons; or any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for only such persons;

 

 

banks or trust companies or their affiliates, when the bank, trust company or affiliate is authorized to make investment decisions on behalf of a client;

 

 

investment advisers and financial planners who place trades for their own accounts or the accounts of their clients and who charge a management, consulting or other fee for their services;

 

 

clients of such investment advisers and financial planners who place trades for their own accounts, if the accounts are linked to the master account of the investment adviser or financial planner on the books and records of the broker, agent, investment adviser or financial institution;

 

 

a financial intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer the Fund’s shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts and that may or may not charge a transaction fee to its customers. A listing of these intermediaries is included in the appendix to the Fund’s Prospectus titled Intermediary-Specific Front-End Sales Load and Waiver Terms.

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About Your Investment

 

 

retirement and deferred compensation plans and trusts used to fund those plans, including, but not limited to, those defined in Section 401(a), 401(k), 403(b) or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code and “rabbi trusts.” Investors nonetheless may be charged a fee if they effect transactions in Class A shares through a broker or agent;

 

 

current accounts in which shares of the Fund are purchased directly through FEF Distributors; and

 

 

current officers, trustees, directors, and employees of the Trust, FE Holdings, the Adviser, FEF Distributors, certain other subsidiaries of FE Holdings, The Blackstone Group Inc., Corsair Capital LLC, employees of certain firms providing services to the Trust (such as the custodian and the shareholder servicing agent), and to the immediate family members of any such persons or to any trust, pension, profit-sharing or other benefit plan for only such persons.

The Fund also may issue Class A shares at net asset value in connection with the acquisition of or merger or consolidation with another investment company. At the Distributor’s discretion, the sales of Class A shares at net asset value may require written assurance that the purchase is being made for investment purposes and the shares will not be resold except through redemption. If required, you must provide such notice to the Distributor or DST at the time of purchase on a form available from the Trust.

Certain financial intermediaries may exchange Class I shares for Class A shares (on a load-waived basis) of the Fund in connection with a change in account type or otherwise in accordance with the financial intermediary’s policies and procedures that renders a shareholder ineligible for Class I shares. The availability of this sales charge waiver depends on the policies, procedures and trading platforms of the intermediary.

Reinstatement Privilege

You are entitled to a one-time per account privilege to reinvest in Class A shares of any First Eagle Fund the proceeds of a full or partial redemption of shares from the same Fund (and the same account) at the then-applicable net asset value per share without payment of a sales charge. To exercise this privilege, you must submit to DST or your broker of record, within 90 calendar days after the redemption, a written request for reinstatement and a check or bank wire in an amount not exceeding the redemption proceeds.

Please note that reinstatement will not prevent recognition of a gain realized on the redemption, and a loss may be disallowed for tax purposes. The gain or loss resulting

48First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

About Your Investment

from the redemption may be affected by exercising the reinstatement privilege if you held the redeemed shares for 90 days or less, or if you reinvest within 30 days.

Purchasing Class R6 Shares

Class R6 shares are offered without any sales charge and are generally made available to the following types of investors:

 

 

qualified 401(a) plans (including 401(k) plans, Keogh plans, profit-sharing pension plans, money purchase pension plans, target benefit plans, defined benefit pension plans, and Taft-Hartley multi-employer pension plans);

 

 

certain non-qualified plans;

 

 

457 plans, including 457(a) governmental entity plans and tax-exempt plans;

 

 

403(b) retirement plans;

 

 

health savings accounts (HSA);

 

 

voluntary employees’ beneficiary association (VEBA) plan trusts;

 

 

collective investment trusts;

 

 

investment companies, both affiliated and not affiliated with the adviser; and

 

 

trustees of the First Eagle Funds and other individuals who are affiliated with the First Eagle Funds.

Class R6 shares may not be available through certain intermediaries. The availability of Class R6 shares for 401(a), 457, and 403(b) plan investors will depend upon the policies of your financial intermediary and/or the recordkeeper for your group retirement plan. Class R6 shares also are generally available only to group retirement plan investors where plan level or omnibus accounts are held on the books of the Fund. Class R6 shares generally are not available to Traditional and Roth individual retirement accounts (IRAs), Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs, and 529 college savings plans. Class R6 shares may be available to non-retirement accounts through certain fee-based platforms that have entered into an agreement with FEF Distributors.

Distribution and/or Shareholder Services Expenses

The shares of each of the Fund are offered to investors, in states and countries in which such offer is lawful, either through selected securities dealers or directly

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About Your Investment

through DST. Class A shares of the Fund are subject to the front-end sales charges described in About Your Investment—Public Offering Price of Class A Shares.

The Fund has adopted a distribution plan and agreement pursuant to Rule 12b-1 (the “Plan”) under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, the Fund pays FEF Distributors as the Fund’s Distributor the following annual distribution-related fee:

 

  Class A shares: 0.25% of the share class’s average daily net assets.

FEF Distributors is paid this distribution-related fee on a monthly basis. FEF Distributors is obligated to use this collected fee to pay qualifying dealers for their assistance in distributing the Fund’s shares, and in connection with other expenses incurred by such dealers, such as advertising costs and the printing and distribution of prospectuses to prospective investors. However, FEF Distributors will not pay dealers 12b-1, distribution-related fees for any quarter in which a dealer has less than $50,000 in First Eagle Fund accounts. FEF Distributors or its affiliates bear distribution expenses to the extent they are not covered by payments under the Plan. Any distribution expenses incurred by FEF Distributors or its affiliates in the Fund’s fiscal year that are not reimbursed from payments accrued during that fiscal year will not be carried over for payment in any subsequent year. Class I and Class R6 shares of the Fund do not participate in the Plan and are not charged with any portion of the payments made under the Plan. Because the fees are paid from Fund assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment in the Fund and ultimately may cost more than paying other types of sales charges. Any distribution-related (Rule 12b-1) fee may be used in whole or in part to finance distribution activities, including sales compensation, and/or shareholder account liaison activities.

Certain broker-dealers or other intermediaries perform services that otherwise could be handled by the Fund’s Transfer Agent. These services may include preparing and distributing client statements, tax reporting, order-processing and client relations. As a result, these third parties may charge fees (sometimes called “sub-transfer agency fees” or “sub-accounting fees”) to the First Eagle Funds for these services. The Fund may pay for such services outside of a Rule 12b-1 Plan (meaning in addition to or instead of as Rule 12b-1 fees) so long as such compensation does not exceed certain limits set from time to time by the Board of Trustees in consultation with management. Arrangements may involve a dollar per-account fee, an asset-based fee, transaction or other charges, cost reimbursement or, in some cases, a combination of these inputs.

50First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

About Your Investment

Sub-transfer agency fees can comprise a substantial portion of the Fund’s ongoing expenses (except in the case of Class R6 shares, where such fees are not paid). While the Adviser and the Distributor consider sub-transfer agency fees to be payments for services rendered, they represent an additional business relationship between these sub-transfer agents and the Fund that often results, at least in part, from past or present sales of Fund shares by the sub-transfer agents or their affiliates. The Adviser, the Distributor or an affiliate may make additional payments to intermediaries for these and other services, and their payments may be based on the same or other methods of calculation. See Revenue Sharing below.

Revenue Sharing

The Distributor, Adviser or an affiliate may make cash payments from their own resources to broker-dealers or financial intermediaries for various reasons. These payments, often referred to as “revenue sharing,” may support the delivery of services to the Fund or shareholders in the Fund, including transaction processing and sub-accounting services.

These payments also may serve as an incentive to sell Fund shares or to promote shareholder retention. As such, the payments may go to firms providing various marketing support or other promotional services relating to the Fund, including advertising and sales meetings, as well as inclusion of the Fund in various promotional and sales programs. Marketing support services also may include business planning assistance, broker-dealer education about the Fund and shareholder financial planning assistance.

Revenue sharing payments may include any portion of the sub-transfer agency fees (described in the preceding section) that exceed the limits for those fees established by the Board of Trustees in consultation with management and which, accordingly, the Fund does not pay. They also may include any other payment requirement of a broker-dealer or another third-party intermediary, including certain agreed upon “finder’s fees” as described in greater detail under Public Offering Price of Class A Shares—Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. The Distributor, Adviser or an affiliate pay all such payments out of its (or their) own resources. Such payments are in addition to any recordkeeping, sub-transfer agency/networking fees payable by the Fund (through the Distributor or otherwise) to others for performing such services and Rule 12b-1 or service plan payments described elsewhere in this Prospectus. Revenue sharing payments may be structured, among other means, as: (i) a percentage of sales; (ii) a percentage of net assets; (iii) a flat fee per transaction; (iv) a fixed dollar amount; or (v) some combination of any of these. In many cases, revenue

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About Your Investment

sharing arrangements may be viewed as encouraging sales activity or retention of assets in the Fund. Generally, any revenue sharing or similar payments are requested by the party receiving them, often as a condition of distribution, but they are subject to negotiation as to their structure and scope. No such payments are made by reference to Class R6 shares or to the assets of this share class.

The Distributor, Adviser or an affiliate also may pay from their own resources for travel and other expenses, including lodging, entertainment and meals, incurred by brokers for attending diligence or informational meetings with the Fund’s investment professionals. The Distributor, Adviser or an affiliate also may pay for costs of organizing and holding such meetings and also may make payments to or on behalf of brokers or other financial intermediaries for other types of events, including pre-approved conferences, seminars or sales or training programs (and payments for travel, lodging, etc.), and may provide small gifts and/or entertainment as permitted by applicable rules. The Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate also may pay fixed fees for the listing of the Fund on a broker-dealer’s or financial intermediary’s system. This compensation is not included in, and is made in addition to, the compensation described in the preceding paragraph.

Please be aware that revenue sharing arrangements or other payments to intermediaries could create incentives on the part of the parties receiving the payments to more positively consider the Fund relative to mutual funds either not making payments of this nature or making smaller such payments. A shareholder or prospective investor with questions regarding revenue sharing or other such payments may obtain more details by contacting his or her broker representative or other financial intermediary directly. The Fund’s Statement of Additional Information includes a listing of certain parties receiving revenue sharing payments in respect of the Fund.

Bookshare Account Plan

To facilitate the handling of shareholder transactions, the Fund uses a bookshare account plan for shareholder accounts. DST, as the Fund’s Transfer Agent, opens and maintains an account for each shareholder of the Fund directly registered with the Fund. All your interests in shares, full and fractional (rounded to three decimal places), are reflected in your book account. After any purchase, DST mails you a confirmation indicating the amount of full and fractional shares purchased, the price per share and a statement of your account. DST will not issue stock certificates for the shares of the Fund.

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About Your Investment

Electronic Delivery

The Trust can deliver your account statements and fund financial reports electronically. If you are a registered user of feim.com, you can consent to the electronic delivery of these documents by logging on and changing your mailing preference under “eDelivery.” (Should you later wish to receive these documents by mail you can revoke your electronic consent at any time, and we will begin to send paper copies of these documents within 30 days of receiving your notice.)

Where To Send Your Application

You may purchase the Fund’s shares through selected securities dealers with whom the Distributor has sales agreements. You may obtain additional New Account Applications from these authorized dealers. For a list of authorized dealers, please call the Distributor at 800.747.2008. Authorized dealers and financial services firms may charge you a transaction fee in addition to any applicable sales loads. Authorized dealers and financial services firms are responsible for promptly transmitting purchase orders to the Distributor.

If eligible, you may purchase Fund shares directly through the Fund’s Transfer Agent by mailing a check made payable to First Eagle Funds along with the completed New Account Application to First Eagle Funds, P.O. Box 219324, Kansas City, MO 64121-9324. You also may purchase shares directly through the Fund’s Transfer Agent by ACH transfer or by bank wire. Please call 800.334.2143 to establish and administer the ACH purchase option, and please call prior to wiring any funds.

Minimum Account Size

Due to the high cost of maintaining smaller accounts, the Trust reserves the right to redeem shares in any account if, as the result of a withdrawal, the value of that account drops below $2,500 (except for Class R6 accounts where generally no minimum is applied). This does not apply to accounts participating in the Automatic Investment Program or to retirement accounts. The Trust also reserves the right to redeem shares in any Class I account if the value of that Class I account drops below $100,000. You will have at least 30 days to make an additional investment to bring the account value to the stated minimum before the redemption is processed.

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About Your Investment

Automatic Investment Program

You may make semi-monthly, monthly or quarterly investments of $100 (or more) in shares of the Fund automatically from a checking or savings account on or about the fifth and/or 20th of the month. Upon written authorization, DST will debit your designated bank account as indicated and use the proceeds to purchase Fund shares. Because your bank must provide approval for the transfer process, establishing an Automatic Investment Program may take at least 30 days. You must indicate your desire to establish an Automatic Investment Program on the New Account Application or Special Options Form. You also must include a voided check, a savings account deposit slip or savings account statement. Shares purchased through Automatic Investment Program payments are subject to the redemption restrictions for recent purchases described in Once You Become a Shareholder—Redemption of Shares. The Trust may amend or cease to offer the Automatic Investment Program at any time.

Contractual Arrangements

The Fund is a party to contractual arrangements with various parties who provide services to the Fund, including the Adviser, the Distributor, the custodian, and the transfer agents, among others. Fund shareholders are not parties to, or intended (“third party”) beneficiaries of, any such contractual arrangements, and such contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any individual investor or group of investors any 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.

Also, while this Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information describe pertinent information about the Trust and the Fund, neither this Prospectus nor the Statement of Additional Information represents a contract between the Trust or the Fund and any shareholder or any other party.

54First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

Once You Become a Shareholder

After you have opened an account with us, you can exchange or sell your shares to meet your changing investment goals or other needs.

Exchanging Your Shares

You may exchange some or all of your shares of the Fund for shares of another First Eagle Fund, subject to limitations described elsewhere in this Prospectus. You may exchange:

 

 

Class A shares of the Fund for Class A shares of another First Eagle Fund;

 

 

Class I shares of the Fund for Class I shares of another First Eagle Fund; and

 

 

Class R6 shares of the Fund for Class R6 shares of another First Eagle Fund.

Shares will be exchanged at their net asset value, computed as of the close of trading on the NYSE (normally 4 p.m. Eastern time). Share exchange orders received after the close of trading on a particular day will be exchanged at the next day’s close of trading net asset value. There is generally no charge for the exchange privilege. Any exchange must meet the applicable minimum investment amount for the Fund and share class into which the exchange is being made. In addition, because you may be subject to different fees, expenses and investment risks when you make an exchange, you should carefully review the description of the First Eagle Fund into which you plan to exchange. Also, exchanges may constitute a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For additional information concerning exchanges or to initiate exchanges, contact the Trust at 800.334.2143.

Exchanges may be limited in the case of shares to be exchanged for those of any First Eagle Fund or share class closed to, or otherwise restricted for, new investors and new accounts. In addition, the First Eagle Funds depend on cooperation from intermediaries in reviewing certain accounts (such as those of retirement plan sponsors, wrap program sponsors and certain omnibus position holders) for short-term trading practices, which limits the First Eagle Funds’ ability to monitor the frequency of exchanges by those investing through such accounts (see the Short-Term Trading Policies section).

Automatic Exchange Program

If you wish to automatically exchange shares of a First Eagle Fund for shares of another First Eagle Fund on a monthly basis, you can do so via the Automatic Exchange Program. The minimum exchange amount is $100. If the balance in the account you are exchanging from falls below the designated automatic exchange

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Once You Become a Shareholder

amount, all remaining shares will be exchanged, and the program will be discontinued. All conditions with respect to exchange transactions apply, as discussed in Exchanging Your Shares.

Conversion

Optional conversions to Class I. You may convert Class A shares of the Fund having an aggregate value of $1 million or more into Class I shares of the Fund. Class A shares of the Fund held through certain “wrap fee” programs and 401(k) plans also may be eligible to be converted to Class I shares of the Fund.

Optional conversions to Class R6. Shares of any other class may be converted to Class R6 shares of the Fund, provided eligibility requirements for these share classes are met.

Important information for all conversions. Other share classes beyond those listed here may be offered by separate prospectus, which should be requested and reviewed carefully before considering any conversion to such a share class. Fees, expenses and eligibility and other terms among share classes will vary. All conversions will take place at net asset value and generally should not result in the realization of income or gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For additional information concerning conversions, or to initiate a conversion, contact your dealer, financial intermediary or the First Eagle Funds at 800.334.2143. More information concerning conversions is also available in the SAI, which is available upon request (see back cover). Certain intermediary-related terms also are described in the appendix to the Fund’s Prospectus titled Intermediary-Specific Front-End Sales Load and Waiver Terms.

Dividend Direction Plan

Unless you elect otherwise, your ordinary income dividends and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in additional shares of the same share class of the Fund at the net asset value calculated as of the date immediately preceding the payment date.

Unless you are investing through a tax-deferred account, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, all reinvested dividends and distributions remain taxable for U.S. federal income tax purposes as though received in cash. For further information about dividend reinvestment, contact DST by telephone at 800.334.2143.

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Once You Become a Shareholder

Redemption of Shares

You have the right to redeem all or any part of your Fund shares for cash at their net asset value next computed after proper receipt of the redemption request. You may redeem via telephone through your authorized dealer or FEF Distributors. Shares held in the dealer’s “street name” must be redeemed through the dealer, as described in the following paragraph.

If you have an account with an authorized dealer you may submit a redemption request to that dealer. Authorized dealers are responsible for promptly transmitting your redemption requests to the Distributor. Dealers may impose a charge for handling redemption transactions, and they may have particular requirements concerning redemptions. Accordingly, shareholders should contact their authorized dealers for more information.

If you have an account with the First Eagle Funds, you may redeem your shares through DST by transmitting written redemption instructions to First Eagle Funds, P.O. Box 219324, Kansas City, MO 64121-9324. Redemption requests must meet all the following requirements to be considered in the proper form:

 

 

Written and signed instructions must be received from the registered owner(s).

 

 

A letter or a stock power signed by the registered owner(s) must include a signature guarantee by an acceptable guarantor. A guarantee is required for redemptions greater than $100,000 to be paid by check or when you want the redemption proceeds sent to an address other than the address of record, to a person other than the registered shareholder(s) for the account or to a bank account number other than the one previously designated. A signature guarantee is not required for any amount redeemed by ACH transfer or bank wire, as long as you previously designated a bank.

 

 

In the case of shares held in the name of a corporation, trust, fiduciary or partnership, DST must receive evidence of authority to sign and a stock power with signature(s) guaranteed.

Redemption Proceeds

Payment of the redemption proceeds will generally be made within three business days after receipt of the redemption request in proper form, but may take up to seven days. The Trust will not mail redemption proceeds for any shares until checks or ACH transfers received in payment for those shares have cleared, which may take up to 15 days. The Trust normally pays redemption proceeds in the form of a check.

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Once You Become a Shareholder

If you wish to avoid any such delays, you should purchase your shares via bank wire. You also may have your proceeds sent to your bank account by ACH transfer or bank wire, as long as you identified your bank on the New Account Application or Special Options Form. Proceeds sent by ACH transfer generally will be credited to your account on the second business day after the redemption. Proceeds sent by bank wire generally will be credited on the business day following the redemption, but there is a wire fee that will be deducted from such proceeds. In times of extreme market stress, it may take longer to provide payment of redemption requests. Ask your financial professional for more information.

Redemptions in Kind

The Fund normally pays redemption proceeds in cash up to $250,000 or 1% of the Fund’s total value, whichever is less. The Trust reserves the right to make higher redemption payments in the form of marketable securities or, as needed, other traded assets, which is known as a “redemption in kind.” If your shares are redeemed in kind, the securities distributed to you will as closely as practicable represent your pro rata share of the Fund’s securities. You should expect to incur transaction costs upon the disposition of the securities received in the distribution. Such securities remain subject to market risk until they are sold. You may recognize capital gain or loss upon the disposition of such securities.

Short-Term Trading Policies

The Fund is not a vehicle for frequent traders. Frequent trading (including exchanging) of Fund shares, also known as “market timing,” may increase Fund transaction and administration costs and otherwise negatively affect the Fund’s investment program, possibly diluting the Fund’s value to its longer-term investors. For example, short-term investments moving in and out of the Fund may (i) prompt otherwise unnecessary purchases and sales of portfolio securities, thus increasing brokerage costs; (ii) affect the level of cash held by the Fund over time; (iii) affect taxable gains and losses realized by the Fund; or (iv) distract a portfolio manager from the Fund’s longer-term investment strategy.

Pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees, the Fund routinely reviews shareholder trades to seek to identify and deter inappropriate trading. Specifically, the Fund seek to identify the types of transactions that may be harmful to the Fund, either on an individual basis or as part of a pattern. In certain circumstances, and on occasion even involving a trade or exchange for which no redemption fee is assessed, the Fund may deem a single trade or exchange inappropriate and subject to these procedures. When the Fund identifies

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Once You Become a Shareholder

inappropriate trading activities, the Fund will suspend trading and exchange privileges or close the relevant account. At the discretion of the Fund, such a suspension or account closure may be temporary or permanent and may or may not be subject to appeal.

The Fund also may deem investors potential short-term traders (and subject to trading suspensions or account closures without advance notice) based on information unrelated to the specific trades in the investors’ accounts. For example, the Fund may obtain information linking an account to an account previously suspended or closed for inappropriate trading. In addition, a reliable third party may report short-term trading concerns regarding a particular account to the Fund.

The Fund cannot guarantee to identify or prevent every instance of inappropriate trading. Nonetheless, the Fund’s guiding principle is that trading deemed not in the interests of longer-term Fund shareholders will be actively deterred and, when possible, prevented.

In most cases the Fund depends on cooperation from intermediaries in reviewing certain accounts, thereby limiting the Fund’s ability to monitor and discourage inappropriate trading. Although the Fund is committed to seeking the cooperation of intermediaries, the Fund often does not have immediate access to individual account-level activity for those investing through an intermediary (and generally must request information about this account activity rather than receiving it automatically). In addition, not all intermediaries maintain the types of sophisticated transaction tracking systems that permit them to apply the types of reviews applied by the Fund. The Fund does not have any arrangements intended to permit trading in contravention of the policies described in this section. The Fund may modify the short-term trading policies at any time.

Telephone Privileges

Unless you make contrary instructions on the New Account Application or Special Options Form, you will be entitled to make telephone redemptions, exchanges, conversions and account maintenance requests if you have a preauthorized form on file with the transfer agent. Neither the Fund nor its agents will be liable for following instructions communicated by telephone that the Trust or its agents believe are genuine. The Trust will employ reasonable procedures to confirm the instructions are genuine. Such procedures may include (i) written confirmation of telephone transactions; (ii) tape recording telephone conversations; and/or (iii) requiring specific personal information prior to acting upon telephone instructions.

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202159


 

Once You Become a Shareholder

Any owner(s), trustee(s) or other fiduciary entity named in the account registration, investment professional of record and/or other parties who can provide specific personal information will be allowed to initiate telephone transactions. Personal information may include a combination of the following items: (i) the Fund and account number, (ii) the account registration, (iii) the Social Security or tax identification number on the account, (iv) the address of record, (v) designated bank account information and (vi) any other information deemed appropriate to allow access to the account.

Telephone redemption requests received by the Trust or their agents (including authorized dealers, retirement plan administrators or other intermediaries) prior to the close of business on the NYSE on any business day will be processed that day. Such requests received after the close of business on the NYSE will be effective the following business day. Shareholders may not make redemption requests by telephone if the proceeds will be wired to a bank account number or mailed to an address other than the one previously designated by the shareholder. There is a $100,000 maximum for telephone redemptions by check. Certain retirement accounts are not eligible for all the telephone privileges referenced above. Please call 800.334.2143 for more information on telephone privileges.

Systematic Withdrawal Plan

If you own Fund shares with a current net asset value of $10,000 or more, you may use those shares to establish a Systematic Withdrawal Plan that executes withdrawals monthly, quarterly, or annually. A check in a stated amount of at least $50 will be mailed to you on or about the third, 15th, or 25th day of the month. You may not take dividends and distributions on shares invested through a Systematic Withdrawal Plan in cash; instead, you must reinvest them, which will occur at net asset value. The Fund’s shares will be redeemed as necessary to meet withdrawal payments.

Withdrawals in excess of dividends and distributions will reduce and may deplete the invested principal. It may be inefficient to purchase additional shares while concurrently withdrawing shares, due to the sales charges incurred on purchases. Accordingly, you may not maintain a Systematic Withdrawal Plan while simultaneously making regular purchases. If you establish a new account by check within 15 days of an expected withdrawal date, the Fund will not begin withdrawals until the following month, due to the Fund’s 15-day hold on check purchases. The Fund may amend or cease to offer the Systematic Withdrawal Plan at any time.

60First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

Once You Become a Shareholder

Retirement Plans

The Trust offers a variety of plans that allow investors to save for retirement and defer taxes on any investment income. These offerings include IRAs, Roth IRAs, SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs. Certain investors may not realize the tax benefits of these plans. Therefore, you should consult your tax adviser regarding your eligibility.

Eligible group retirement plans may purchase Class R6 shares. Retirement plans may also purchase Class I shares of the Fund provided they meet the minimum initial investment amount of $1 million in an omnibus or pooled account within the Fund. Retirement plans that will require the Fund to pay any type of administrative fee or payment per participant account to any third party are generally not eligible for Class I, but may be able to purchase Class R6 shares or Class A shares of the Fund without an initial sales charge. If a Class A “finder’s fee” was paid, such a plan may be subject to a Class A contingent deferred sales charge on these investments. See About Your Investment—Public Offering Price of Class A Shares—Class A Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.

Information Regarding State Escheatment Laws

Mutual fund accounts can be considered abandoned property. States increasingly are looking at inactive mutual fund accounts as possible abandoned or unclaimed property. Under certain circumstances, the Fund may be legally obligated to escheat (or transfer) an investor’s account to the appropriate state’s unclaimed property administrator. The Fund will not be liable to investors or their representatives for good faith compliance with state unclaimed or abandoned property (escheatment) laws. If you invest in the Fund through a financial intermediary, we encourage you to contact the financial intermediary regarding applicable state escheatment laws.

Escheatment laws vary by state, and states have different criteria for defining inactivity and abandoned property. Generally, a mutual fund account may be subject to “escheatment” (i.e., considered to be abandoned or unclaimed property) if the account owner has not initiated any activity in the account or contacted the fund for an “inactivity period” as specified in applicable state laws. If the Fund is unable to establish contact with an investor, the Fund will determine whether the investor’s account must legally be considered abandoned and whether the assets in the account must be transferred to the appropriate state’s unclaimed property administrator. Typically, an investor’s last known address of record determines the state that has jurisdiction.

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202161


 

Information on Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

The tax treatment described below is intended to be the tax treatment of the Fund under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code.

It is the Fund’s policy to make annual distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any. Unless you elect otherwise, your ordinary income dividends and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in additional shares of the same share class of the Fund at net asset value calculated as of the payment date. The Fund pays ordinary income dividends and capital gains distributions on a per-share basis. As a result, on the ex-dividend date of such a payment, the net asset value of the Fund will be reduced by the amount of the payment.

The Fund intends to qualify and has elected to be treated as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. To qualify, the Fund must meet certain income, diversification and distribution requirements. As a regulated investment company, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income or excise taxes on ordinary income and capital gains distributed to shareholders within applicable time limits, although foreign-source income received by the Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes.

Unless you are investing through a tax-deferred account, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in general, you will be taxed on the ordinary income dividends and capital gains distributions you receive from the Fund, whether you take them as additional shares or in cash. Capital gains distributions may be taxed at different rates, depending on the types of appreciated assets and the length of time the Fund holds the appreciated assets. For example, while capital gain distributions with respect to gain on the sale of appreciated assets held by the Fund for more than one year generally will be taxed to individual shareholders at a maximum rate of 20%, capital gain distributions with respect to the sale of collectibles held by the Fund for more than one year will be taxed to individual shareholders at a maximum rate of 28%. Certain ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund to non-corporate shareholders (including individuals) may be eligible for preferential tax treatment at the rate applied to long-term capital gains provided that certain holding period requirements are met at the Fund and shareholder levels. A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the current calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year.

An additional 3.8% Medicare tax will be imposed on certain net investment income (which includes ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions from the Fund, and gain recognized on a disposition of shares) of certain U.S. individuals, estates and trusts.

Tax issues can be complicated. Exchanges of Fund shares are treated as sales and purchases and are subject to taxes. Please consult your tax adviser about federal, state, or local tax consequences or with any other tax questions you may have. By

62First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

Information on Dividends, Distributions and Taxes

February 15 of each year, the Trust will send you a statement showing the tax status of your dividends and distributions for the prior year. There may be tax consequences for shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities. Please see the Statement of Additional Information for more information.

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202163


 

Privacy Notice for Individual Shareholders

The Trust is committed to protecting your privacy. We are providing you with this privacy notice to inform you of how we handle your personal information that we collect and may disclose to our affiliates. If the Trust changes its information practices, we will provide you with notice of any material changes. This privacy policy supersedes any of our previous policies relating to the information you disclose to us.

 

 

 

 

 

FACTS

 

 

 

WHAT DOES THE TRUST DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why?

 

 

 

Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

 

 

 

The types of personal information we collect and share depend on the product or service you have with us. This information can include:

 

 

 

 

<

 

Social Security number, income, and assets

 

 

 

 

<

 

account balances, payment history, and account activity

 

 

 

 

<

 

credit history and credit scores

 

 

 

 

<

 

name, address, telephone number, occupation

 

 

 

 

<

 

online information, such as your IP address and data gathered from your browsing activity and location

 

 

 

 

<

 

information we encounter in public records in the ordinary course of business

 

How?

 

 

 

All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons the Trust chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

64First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

Privacy Notice for Individual Shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

Reasons we can share your personal information

 

Does the Trust share?

 

Can you limit this sharing?

For our everyday business purposes—
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus

 

Yes

 

No

 

For our marketing purposes—
to offer our products and services to you

 

Yes

 

Yes

 

For joint marketing with other financial companies

 

No

 

N/A

 

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes—
information about your transactions and experiences

 

Yes

 

No

 

For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes—
information about your creditworthiness

 

Yes

 

N/A

 

For our affiliates to market to you

 

Yes

 

Yes

 

For nonaffiliates to market to you

 

No

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To limit

 

 

 

<

 

Call 800.334.2143 and indicate your desire to limit our sharing

our sharing

 

 

 

<

 

Visit us online: www.feim.com/individual-investors or

 

 

 

 

<

 

Mail the form below

 

 

 

 

Please note:

 

 

 

 

If you are a new customer, we can begin sharing your information 30 days from the date we sent this notice. When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

 

 

 

 

However, you can contact us at any time to limit our sharing.

 

Questions?

 

 

 

Call 800.334.2143 or go to www.feim.com/individual-investors

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202165


 

Privacy Notice for Individual Shareholders

#

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mail-in Form

If you have a joint account, your choice(s) will apply to everyone on your account unless you mark below.

 

Mark any/all you want to limit:

 

 

 

 

 

Do not share information about my creditworthiness with your affiliates for their everyday business purposes.

 

 

 

 

 

Do not allow your affiliates to use my personal information to market to me.

 

 

 

 

 

Do not share my personal information with nonaffiliates to market their products and services to me.

 

 

 

 

Apply my

 

Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

choices only to me

 

Address

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

City, State, Zip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Account #

 

 

 

Mail to:
First Eagle Funds
P.O. Box 219324
Kansas City, MO
64121-9324

#

 

 

 

 

 

What we do

How does the Trust protect my personal information?

 

We protect personal information provided to us by our individual shareholders according to strict standards of security and confidentiality. These standards apply to both our physical facilities and any online services we may provide. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with federal standards to guard consumer information. We permit only authorized individuals, who are trained in the proper handling of individual shareholder information and need to access this information to do their job, to have access to this information.

 

How does the Trust collect my personal information?

 

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

 

 

<

 

open an account, make transactions using your account, or deposit money

 

 

<

 

subscribe to receive information, submit an application, or otherwise submit a form containing personal information\

 

 

<

 

use our services online

 

 

We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

66First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

Privacy Notice for Individual Shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

 

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

 

<

 

sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes—information about your creditworthiness

 

 

<

 

affiliates from using your information to market to you

 

 

<

 

sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you

 

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

 

What happens when I limit sharing for an account I hold jointly with someone else?

 

Your choices will apply to everyone on your account.

Definitions

Affiliates

 

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

 

<

 

Affiliated companies include First Eagle Holdings, Inc., First Eagle Investment Management, LLC, FEF Distributors, LLC, First Eagle Separate Account Management, LLC and First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC.

 

Nonaffiliates

 

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

 

<

 

Nonaffiliated third parties may include service providers such as the Trust’s distributors, registrar and transfer agent for shareholder transactions, other parties providing individual shareholder servicing, accounting and recordkeeping services, attorneys, accountants, and auditors.

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202167


 

Privacy Notice for Individual Shareholders

 

 

 

Other important information

Sharing of Personal Information with Nonaffiliated Third Parties

We will only share your personal information collected, as described above, with nonaffiliated third parties:

 

At your request;

 

When you authorize us to process or service a transaction or product (nonaffiliated third parties in this instance may include service providers such as the Trust’s distributors, registrar and transfer agent for shareholder transactions, and other parties providing individual shareholder servicing, accounting and recordkeeping services);

 

With companies that perform sales and marketing services on our behalf with whom we have agreements to protect the confidentiality of your information and to use the information only for the purposes for which we disclose the information to them; or

 

When required by law to disclose such information to appropriate authorities.

We do not otherwise provide information about you to outside firms, organizations or individuals except as permitted by law.

What We do with Personal Information about Our Former Customers

If you decide to discontinue doing business with us, the Trust will continue to adhere to this privacy policy with respect to the information we have in our possession about you and your account following the termination of our shareholder relationship.

68First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

How to Reach First Eagle Funds

You can send all requests for information or transactions to:

Regular Mail:

First Eagle Funds
P.O. Box 219324
Kansas City, MO 64121-9324

or

Overnight Mail:

First Eagle Funds
c/o DST Systems, Inc.
330 West 9th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105-1807

You can contact us by telephone at 800.334.2143.

Please visit us online at www.feim.com/individual-investors

First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 202169


 

Financial Highlights

There are no financial highlights to report for the Fund because it has not yet been in operation for a full calendar year.

70First Eagle Funds  |  Prospectus  |  November 30, 2021


 

APPENDIX
Intermediary-Specific Front-End Sales Load and Waiver Terms

The availability of certain sales charge waivers and discounts will depend on whether you purchase your shares directly from the First Eagle Funds (typically meaning through FEF Distributors as a Fund’s principal underwriter) or through an authorized dealer or other financial intermediary. Intermediaries may have different policies and procedures regarding the availability of front-end sales load waivers or contingent deferred (back-end) sales load (“CDSC”) waivers, which are discussed below. In all instances, it is the purchaser’s responsibility to notify the Fund or the purchaser’s financial intermediary at the time of purchase of any relationship or other facts qualifying the purchaser for sales charge waivers or discounts. For waivers and discounts not available through a particular intermediary, shareholders will have to purchase Fund shares through another intermediary to receive these waivers or discounts.

* * * * *

Class A Shares Front-End Sales Charge Waivers Available at Ameriprise Financial

The following information applies to Class A shares purchases if you have an account with or otherwise purchase Fund shares through Ameriprise Financial:

Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Ameriprise Financial retail brokerage account are eligible for the following front-end sales charge waivers, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this Fund’s prospectus or SAI:

 

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.

 

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same Fund (but not any other fund within the same fund family).

 

 

Shares exchanged from Class C shares of the same fund in the month of or following the 7-year anniversary of the purchase date. To the extent that this prospectus elsewhere provides for a waiver with respect to exchanges of Class C shares or conversion of Class C shares following a shorter holding period, that waiver will apply.

 

 

Employees and registered representatives of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates and their immediate family members.

A-1


 

 

 

Shares purchased by or through qualified accounts (including IRAs, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, 401(k)s, 403(b) TSCAs subject to ERISA and defined benefit plans) that are held by a covered family member, defined as an Ameriprise financial advisor and/or the advisor’s spouse, advisor’s lineal ascendant (mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, great grandmother, great grandfather), advisor’s lineal descendant (son, step-son, daughter, step-daughter, grandson, granddaughter, great grandson, great granddaughter) or any spouse of a covered family member who is a lineal descendant.

 

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e. Rights of Reinstatement).

* * * * *

Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Merrill Lynch platform or account

Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Merrill Lynch platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the prospectus or SAI.

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at Merrill Lynch

 

 

Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.

 

 

Shares purchased by a 529 Plan (does not include 529 Plan units or 529-specific share classes or equivalents).

 

 

Shares purchased through a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program.

 

 

Shares exchanged due to the holdings moving from a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers.

 

 

Shares purchased by third party investment advisors on behalf of their advisory clients through Merrill Lynch’s platform.

 

 

Shares of funds purchased through the Merrill Edge Self-Directed platform (if applicable).

A-2


 

 

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family.)

 

 

Shares exchanged from Class C (i.e. level-load) shares of the same fund pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers.

 

 

Employees and registered representatives of Merrill Lynch or its affiliates and their family members.

 

 

Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in the prospectus.

 

 

Eligible shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement). Automated transactions (i.e. systematic purchases and withdrawals) and purchases made after shares are automatically sold to pay Merrill Lynch’s account maintenance fees are not eligible for reinstatement.

CDSC Waivers on Class A and Class C Shares available at Merrill Lynch

 

 

Death or disability of the shareholder.

 

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

 

Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.

 

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code.

 

 

Shares sold to pay Merrill Lynch fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Merrill Lynch.

 

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.

 

 

Shares held in retirement brokerage accounts, that are exchanged for a lower cost share class due to transfer to certain fee based accounts or platforms (applicable to A and C shares only).

 

 

Shares received through an exchange due to the holdings moving from a Merrill Lynch affiliated investment advisory program to a Merrill Lynch brokerage (non-advisory) account pursuant to Merrill Lynch’s policies relating to sales load discounts and waivers.

A-3


 

Front-end load Discounts Available at Merrill Lynch: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent

 

 

Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.

 

 

Rights of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts as described in the Fund’s prospectus will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts (including 529 program holdings, where applicable) within the purchaser’s household at Merrill Lynch. Eligible fund family assets not held at Merrill Lynch may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

Letters of Intent (LOI) which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, through Merrill Lynch, over a 13-month period of time (if applicable).

* * * * *

Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Morgan Stanley Wealth Management transactional brokerage account

Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Morgan Stanley Wealth Management transactional brokerage account will be eligible only for the following front-end sales charge waivers with respect to Class A shares, which may differ from and may be more limited than those disclosed elsewhere in the Funds’ Prospectus or SAI.

Front-end Sales Charge Waivers on Class A Shares available at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

 

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.

 

 

Morgan Stanley employee and employee-related accounts according to Morgan Stanley’s account linking rules.

 

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions when purchasing shares of the same fund.

 

 

Shares purchased through a Morgan Stanley self-directed brokerage account.

 

 

Class C (i.e., level-load) shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Morgan Stanley Wealth Management’s share class conversion program.

A-4


 

 

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (i) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (ii) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (iii) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge.

* * * * *

Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Raymond James & Associates, Inc. platform or account

Shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Raymond James platform or account will be eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this fund’s prospectus or SAI. As used here, “Raymond James” refers to Raymond James & Associates, Inc., Raymond James Financial Services and Raymond James affiliates.

Front-end sales load waivers on Class A shares available at Raymond James

 

 

Shares purchased in an investment advisory program.

 

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).

 

 

Employees and registered representatives of Raymond James or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Raymond James.

 

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Reinstatement).

 

 

A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Raymond James.

CDSC Waivers on Classes A and C Shares available at Raymond James

 

 

Death or disability of the shareholder.

 

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s prospectus.

 

 

Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.

A-5


 

 

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the fund’s prospectus.

 

 

Shares sold to pay Raymond James fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Raymond James.

 

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.

Front-end load discounts available at Raymond James: breakpoints, and/or rights of accumulation

 

 

Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.

 

 

Rights of accumulation which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Raymond James. Eligible fund family assets not held at Raymond James may be included in the calculation of rights of accumulation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

* * * * *

Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. (“Edward Jones”) Policies Regarding Transactions Through Edward Jones

The following information has been provided by Edward Jones:

Effective on or after March 1, 2021, the following information supersedes prior information with respect to transactions and positions held in fund shares through an Edward Jones system. Clients of Edward Jones (also referred to as “shareholders”) purchasing fund shares on the Edward Jones commission and fee-based platforms are eligible only for the following sales charge discounts (also referred to as “breakpoints”) and waivers, which can differ from discounts and waivers described elsewhere in the mutual fund prospectus or statement of additional information (“SAI”) or through another broker-dealer. In all instances, it is the shareholder’s responsibility to inform Edward Jones at the time of purchase of any relationship, holdings of First Eagle Funds, or other facts qualifying the purchaser for discounts or waivers. Edward Jones can ask for documentation of such circumstance. Shareholders should contact Edward Jones if they have questions regarding their eligibility for these discounts and waivers.

Breakpoints

 

  Breakpoint pricing, otherwise known as volume pricing, at dollar thresholds as described in the prospectus.

A-6


 

Rights of Accumulation (“ROA”)

 

 

The applicable sales charge on a purchase of Class A shares is determined by taking into account all share classes (except certain money market funds and any assets held in group retirement plans) of First Eagle Funds held by the shareholder or in an account grouped by Edward Jones with other accounts for the purpose of providing certain pricing considerations (“pricing groups”). If grouping assets as a shareholder, this includes all share classes held on the Edward Jones platform and/or held on another platform. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the ROA calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying Edward Jones of such assets at the time of calculation. Money market funds are included only if such shares were sold with a sales charge at the time of purchase or acquired in exchange for shares purchased with a sales charge.

 

 

The employer maintaining a SEP IRA plan and/or SIMPLE IRA plan may elect to establish or change ROA for the IRA accounts associated with the plan to a plan-level grouping as opposed to including all share classes at a shareholder or pricing group level.

 

 

ROA is determined by calculating the higher of cost minus redemptions or market value (current shares x NAV).

Letter of Intent (“LOI”)

 

 

Through a LOI, shareholders can receive the sales charge and breakpoint discounts for purchases shareholders intend to make over a 13-month period from the date Edward Jones receives the LOI. The LOI is determined by calculating the higher of cost or market value of qualifying holdings at LOI initiation in combination with the value that the shareholder intends to buy over a 13-month period to calculate the front-end sales charge and any breakpoint discounts. Each purchase the shareholder makes during that 13-month period will receive the sales charge and breakpoint discount that applies to the total amount. The inclusion of eligible fund family assets in the LOI calculation is dependent on the shareholder notifying Edward Jones of such assets at the time of calculation. Purchases made before the LOI is received by Edward Jones are not adjusted under the LOI and will not reduce the sales charge previously paid. Sales charges will be adjusted if LOI is not met.

 

 

If the employer maintaining a SEP IRA plan and/or SIMPLE IRA plan has elected to establish or change ROA for the IRA accounts associated with the plan to a plan-level grouping, LOIs will also be at the plan-level and may only be established by the employer.

A-7


 

Sales Charge Waivers

Sales charges are waived for the following shareholders and in the following situations:

 

 

Associates of Edward Jones and its affiliates and their family members who are in the same pricing group (as determined by Edward Jones under its policies and procedures) as the associate. This waiver will continue for the remainder of the associate’s life if the associate retires from Edward Jones in good-standing and remains in good standing pursuant to Edward Jones’ policies and procedures.

 

 

Shares purchased in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

 

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment.

 

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redeemed shares of the same fund family so long as the following conditions are met: 1) the proceeds are from the sale of shares within 60 days of the purchase, and 2) the sale and purchase are made in the same share class and the same account or the purchase is made in an individual retirement account with proceeds from liquidations in a non-retirement account.

 

 

Shares exchanged into Class A shares from another share class so long as the exchange is into the same fund and was initiated at the discretion of Edward Jones. Edward Jones is responsible for any remaining CDSC due to the fund company, if applicable. Any future purchases are subject to the applicable sales charge as disclosed in the prospectus.

 

 

Exchanges from Class C shares to Class A shares of the same fund, generally, in the 84th month following the anniversary of the purchase date or earlier at the discretion of Edward Jones.

Contingent Deferred Sales Charge (“CDSC”) Waivers

If the shareholder purchases shares that are subject to a CDSC and those shares are redeemed before the CDSC is expired, the shareholder is responsible to pay the CDSC except in the following conditions:

 

 

The death or disability of the shareholder.

 

 

Systematic withdrawals with up to 10% per year of the account value.

 

 

Return of excess contributions from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

A-8


 

 

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts if the redemption is taken in or after the year the shareholder reaches qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations.

 

 

Shares sold to pay Edward Jones fees or costs in such cases where the transaction is initiated by Edward Jones.

 

 

Shares exchanged in an Edward Jones fee-based program.

 

 

Shares acquired through NAV reinstatement.

 

 

Shares redeemed at the discretion of Edward Jones for Minimum Balances, as described below.

Other Important Information Regarding Transactions Through Edward Jones

Minimum Purchase Amounts

 

 

Initial purchase minimum: $250

 

 

Subsequent purchase minimum: none

Minimum Balances

 

  Edward Jones has the right to redeem at its discretion fund holdings with a balance of $250 or less. The following are examples of accounts that are not included in this policy:

 

 

A fee-based account held on an Edward Jones platform

 

 

A 529 account held on an Edward Jones platform

 

 

An account with an active systematic investment plan or LOI

Exchanging Share Classes

 

  At any time it deems necessary, Edward Jones has the authority to exchange at NAV a shareholder’s holdings in a fund to Class A shares of the same fund.

* * * * *

Front-end sales charge* waivers on Class A shares available at Janney Montgomery Scott LLC (“Janney”)

If you purchase fund shares through a Janney brokerage account, you will be eligible for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), or back-end sales charge, waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this fund’s Prospectus or SAI.

A-9


 

 

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).

 

 

Shares purchased by employees and registered representatives of Janney or its affiliates and their family members as designated by Janney.

 

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within ninety (90) days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (i.e., right of reinstatement).

 

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans (e.g., 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans). For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs, SAR-SEPs or Keogh plans.

 

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.

 

 

Class C shares that are no longer subject to a contingent deferred sales charge and are converted to Class A shares of the same fund pursuant to Janney’s policies and procedures.

CDSC waivers on Class A and C shares available at Janney

 

 

Shares sold upon the death or disability of the shareholder.

 

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the fund’s Prospectus.

 

 

Shares purchased in connection with a return of excess contributions from an IRA account.

 

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and other retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching age 701/2 as described in the fund’s Prospectus.

 

 

Shares sold to pay Janney fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Janney.

 

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.

 

 

Shares exchanged into the same share class of a different fund.

Front-end sales charge* discounts available at Janney: breakpoints, rights of accumulation, and/or letters of intent

 

  Breakpoints as described in the fund’s Prospectus.

A-10


 

 

 

Rights of accumulation (“ROA”), which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts, will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Janney. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

Letters of intent which allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases within a fund family, over a 13-month time period. Eligible fund family assets not held at Janney Montgomery Scott may be included in the calculation of letters of intent only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

*Also referred to as an “initial sales charge.”

* * * * *

Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. (“OPCO”) platform or account

Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through an OPCO platform or account are eligible only for the following load waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and contingent deferred, or back-end, sales charge waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in the Funds’ prospectus or SAI.

Front-end Sales Load Waivers on Class A Shares available at OPCO

 

 

Employer-sponsored retirement, deferred compensation and employee benefit plans (including health savings accounts) and trusts used to fund those plans, provided that the shares are not held in a commission-based brokerage account and shares are held for the benefit of the plan.

 

 

Shares purchased by or through a 529 Plan.

 

 

Shares purchased through an OPCO affiliated investment advisory program.

 

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund (but not any other fund within the fund family).

 

 

Shares purchased from the proceeds of redemptions within the same fund family, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same account, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales load (known as Rights of Restatement).

A-11


 

 

 

A shareholder in the Fund’s Class C shares will have their shares converted at net asset value to Class A shares (or the appropriate share class) of the Fund if the shares are no longer subject to a CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of OPCO.

 

 

Employees and registered representatives of OPCO or its affiliates and their family members.

 

 

Directors or Trustees of the Fund, and employees of the Fund’s investment adviser or any of its affiliates, as described in this prospectus.

CDSC Waivers on A, B and C Shares available at OPCO

 

 

Death or disability of the shareholder.

 

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

 

Return of excess contributions from an IRA Account.

 

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable IRS regulations as described in the prospectus.

 

 

Shares sold to pay OPCO fees but only if the transaction is initiated by OPCO.

 

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.

Front-end load Discounts Available at OPCO: Breakpoints, Rights of Accumulation & Letters of Intent

 

 

Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.

 

 

Rights of Accumulation (ROA) which entitle shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of fund family assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at OPCO. Eligible fund family assets not held at OPCO may be included in the ROA calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

* * * * *

Shareholders purchasing Fund shares through a Robert W. Baird & Co. (“Baird”) platform or account

Shareholders purchasing fund shares through a Baird platform or account will only be eligible for the following sales charge waivers (front-end sales charge waivers and CDSC waivers) and discounts, which may differ from those disclosed elsewhere in this prospectus or the SAI.

A-12


 

Front-End Sales Charge Waivers on A-shares Available at Baird

 

 

Shares purchased through reinvestment of capital gains distributions and dividend reinvestment when purchasing shares of the same fund.

 

 

Shares purchase by employees and registers representatives of Baird or its affiliate and their family members as designated by Baird.

 

 

Shares purchased using the proceeds of redemptions from a First Eagle Fund, provided (1) the repurchase occurs within 90 days following the redemption, (2) the redemption and purchase occur in the same accounts, and (3) redeemed shares were subject to a front-end or deferred sales charge (known as rights of reinstatement).

 

 

A shareholder in the Funds C Shares will have their share converted at net asset value to A shares of the same fund if the shares are no longer subject to CDSC and the conversion is in line with the policies and procedures of Baird.

 

 

Employer-sponsored retirement plans or charitable accounts in a transactional brokerage account at Baird, including 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit sharing and money purchase pension plans and defined benefit plans. For purposes of this provision, employer-sponsored retirement plans do not include SEP IRAs, Simple IRAs or SAR-SEPs.

CDSC Waivers on A and C shares Available at Baird

 

 

Shares sold due to death or disability of the shareholder.

 

 

Shares sold as part of a systematic withdrawal plan as described in the Fund’s Prospectus.

 

 

Shares bought due to returns of excess contributions from an IRA Account.

 

 

Shares sold as part of a required minimum distribution for IRA and retirement accounts due to the shareholder reaching the qualified age based on applicable Internal Revenue Service regulations as described in the Fund’s prospectus.

 

 

Shares sold to pay Baird fees but only if the transaction is initiated by Baird.

 

 

Shares acquired through a right of reinstatement.

Front-End Sales Charge Discounts Available at Baird: Breakpoints and/or Rights of Accumulations

 

 

Breakpoints as described in this prospectus.

 

 

Rights of accumulations which entitles shareholders to breakpoint discounts will be automatically calculated based on the aggregated holding of First Eagle Funds assets held by accounts within the purchaser’s household at Baird. Eligible First Eagle Funds assets not held at Baird may be included in the rights

A-13


 

 

 

 

of accumulations calculation only if the shareholder notifies his or her financial advisor about such assets.

 

 

Letters of Intent (LOI) allow for breakpoint discounts based on anticipated purchases of First Eagle Funds through Baird, over a 13-month period of time.

* * * * *

Class A Sales Charge Waivers Available Only Through Specified Intermediaries (Certain Self-Directed Brokerage Programs)

As described in the prospectus, Class A shares may be purchased at net asset value without a sales charge through a financial intermediary that has entered into an agreement with the Distributor to offer the Fund’s shares to self-directed investment brokerage accounts and that may or may not charge a transaction fee to its customers. As of the date of this Appendix, the following intermediaries have entered into such an agreement:

 

 

Charles Schwab & Co, Inc.

 

 

JP Morgan Securities, Inc.

 

 

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

 

 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc.

A-14


 

 

Useful Shareholder Information

How to Obtain Our Shareholder Reports

You will be sent copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports on a regular basis, once you become a shareholder. Semi-annual and annual reports are also available upon request without charge by contacting First Eagle Funds. The annual reports discuss the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during the last fiscal year. The annual reports also contain audited financial statements by the First Eagle Funds’ independent accountants.

How to Obtain Our Statement of Additional Information

The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and includes additional information about the Fund. The SAI is available to you without charge. To obtain a copy, please contact us via mail or phone, or visit the website (www.feim.com/individual-investors). In addition, you may visit the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC’s”) website (www.sec.gov) to view the SAI and other information. Also, you can obtain copies of the SAI, after paying a duplicating fee, by e-mailing: publicinfo@sec.gov.

 

 

 

 

Distributor
FEF Distributors, LLC
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105

 

Investment Adviser
First Eagle Investment Management, LLC
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105

 

 

How to Reach First Eagle Funds
Send all shareholder inquiries and requests for other information or transactions to:
First Eagle Funds
P.O. Box 219324
Kansas City, MO 64121-9324
You may contact us by telephone at 800.334.2143

Investment Company Act File Number: 811-07762

 

 

 

 

 

First Eagle Investment Management, LLC
1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105-0048
800.334.2143   www.feim.com/individual-investors

 

 

STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

First Eagle Funds

First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund
Class A – Ticker FERAX Class I – Ticker FEREX Class R6 – Ticker FERRX

November 30, 2021

 

1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
800.334.2143

 

First Eagle Investment Management, LLC
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Investment Adviser
FEF Distributors, LLC
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105
Distributor

 

This Statement of Additional Information provides information about First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund (“the Fund”), a separate portfolio of First Eagle Funds (the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company, which information is in addition to that contained in the Prospectus of the Trust dated November 30, 2021. This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus. It relates to and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus, a copy of which can be obtained by calling the Trust at 800.334.2143 or by visiting www.feim.com/individual-investors.

Certain disclosures, including the Fund’s financial statements and the notes thereto, will be incorporated by reference into this Statement of Additional Information from the Fund’s annual reports once the Fund commences operation. For a free copy of the annual reports, please call the Trust at 800.334.2143 or visit www.feim.com/individual-investors.

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

   

Statement of
Additional
Information

 

Page

Organization of the Fund

 

 

 

3

 

Investment Objective, Policies and Restrictions

 

 

 

4

 

Management of the Trust

 

 

 

32

 

Investment Advisory and Other Services

 

 

 

45

 

Voting of Proxies

 

 

 

49

 

Derivative Actions Brought on Behalf of the Trust

 

 

 

49

 

Distributor of the Fund’s Shares

 

 

 

50

 

Fund Shares

 

 

 

53

 

Computation of Net Asset Value

 

 

 

54

 

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

 

 

 

55

 

How to Purchase Shares

 

 

 

56

 

Dividends and Distributions

 

 

 

57

 

Contractual Arrangements

 

 

 

57

 

Tax Status

 

 

 

57

 

Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage

 

 

 

65

 

Custody of Portfolio

 

 

 

67

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

67

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

67

 

Appendix A

 

 

 

A-1

 


 

ORGANIZATION OF THE FUND

First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund (the “Fund”) is a separate portfolio of First Eagle Funds (the “Trust”) an open-end management investment company. The Fund is “diversified” within the meaning of Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) regulations. This generally means that the Fund may not, with respect to 75% of the value of its total assets, purchase the securities of any issuer (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, or securities issued by other investment companies) if, as a result, (i) more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets would be invested in the securities of that issuer or (ii) the Fund would hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of that issuer. The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust but is a successor business to a Maryland corporation organized in that state in 1993. The Trust’s investment adviser is First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (“FEIM” or the “Adviser”), a registered investment adviser. The Trust’s principal underwriter is FEF Distributors, LLC (“FEF Distributors” or the “Distributor”), a registered broker-dealer located in New York. FEIM is a subsidiary of First Eagle Holdings, Inc. (“FE Holdings”), a privately owned holding company organized under the laws of Delaware.

Pursuant to the laws of Delaware, the Trust’s state of formation, the Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted By-Laws of the Trust that do not require annual meetings of the Fund’s shareholders. The absence of a requirement that the Trust hold annual meetings of the Fund’s shareholders reduces its expenses. Meetings of shareholders will continue to be held when required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act” or “1940 Act”), or Delaware law, or when called by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the President or shareholders owning 10% of the Fund’s outstanding shares. The cost of any such notice and meeting will be borne by the Fund.

Under the provisions of the Investment Company Act, a vacancy on the Board of Trustees of the Trust may be filled between meetings of the shareholders of the Trust by vote of the Trustees then in office if, immediately after filling such vacancy, at least two-thirds of the Trustees then holding office have been elected to the office of Trustee by the shareholders of the First Eagle Funds. In the event that at any time less than a majority of the Trustees of the Trust holding office at that time were elected by the shareholders of the First Eagle Funds, the Board of Trustees or the Chairman of the Board shall, within sixty days, cause a meeting of shareholders to be held for the purpose of electing trustees to fill any vacancies in the Board of Trustees.

The staff of the SEC has advised the Trust that it interprets Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act, which provides a means for dissident shareholders of common-law trusts to communicate with other shareholders of such trusts and to vote upon the removal of trustees upon the request in writing by the record holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding shares of the trust, to apply to investment companies, such as the Trust, that are incorporated under Delaware law.

3


 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE, POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS

The following information supplements the discussion of the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions in the Prospectus. Under normal circumstances, the Fund may, but will not necessarily, employ the investment policies and techniques described further below.

Investment Objective and Strategies of the Fund

The Fund seeks long-term capital growth by normally investing at least 80% of its net assets (plus any borrowing for investment purposes) in a variety of assets believed by the Adviser to represent interests in “real assets” or “real asset” industries. “Real assets” include physical assets and assets that are otherwise recognized as stores of value, such as gold bullion or other precious metals, certain commodities and inflation-linked fixed income securities. “Real asset” industries are those that relate to ownership or production of such assets or products or services otherwise supporting such assets. These industries may include basic materials, industrials, chemicals, energy, infrastructure, real estate, and utilities, as well as related suppliers and similarly connected businesses.

Under normal circumstances, the Fund anticipates it will allocate a portion of its assets to foreign investments (including American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”) and European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”)). The Fund is not required to allocate its investments in any set percentages to any particular countries, but normally will invest in at least three countries (one of which may be the United States). The countries in which the Fund may invest may include countries whose economies are still developing (sometimes called “emerging markets”). Through its investments in “real assets” or “real asset” industries, the Fund will be invested in a number of different countries, which may include Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom.

The Fund makes some investments through a special purpose trading subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”) and may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Fund, organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company. Generally, the Subsidiary will invest in commodities and related instruments, including derivatives (e.g., gold bullion and other precious metals and related futures, and commodities-related derivatives contracts).

The Fund has the flexibility to respond promptly to changes in market and economic conditions. For example, a defensive strategy may be warranted during periods of unfavorable market or economic conditions, including periods of market turbulence or periods when prevailing market valuations are higher than those deemed attractive under the investment criteria generally applied on behalf of the Fund.

Under a defensive strategy, the Fund may hold cash and/or invest up to 100% of its assets in high quality debt securities or money market instruments of U.S. or foreign issuers. In such a case, the Fund may not be able to pursue, and may not achieve, its investment objective. It is impossible to predict whether, when or for how long the Fund will employ defensive strategies.

There can be no assurance that the Fund’s stated objective will be realized.

Policies and Techniques

The investment objective of the Fund describes its principal investment strategies.

For ease of reference, while the discussions below often refer to investments in “securities,” the Fund may invest in many types of assets. A discussion of the risks of particular types of “securities” therefore should be understood to refer to the risks of that type of investment more generally (e.g., foreign securities risks should be understood to describe risks of investing in non-U.S. markets generally, regardless of investment type, and illiquid securities should be understood to describe illiquid investments, as described in Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act).

Investment Policies, Techniques and Risks of the Fund

Market Risk and Turmoil. The Fund is subject to market risk. Market risk includes unexpected directional price movements, deviations from historical pricing relationships, changes in the regulatory environment, changes in market volatility, panicked or forced selling of assets and contraction of available credit or other financing sources. The success of the Fund’s activities may be affected by general economic and market conditions, such as interest rates, availability of credit, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, changes in laws and national and international political circumstances. Although globally and among developed countries there has been a relatively stable political environment for decades,

4


 

there is no guarantee that such stability will be maintained in the future. International policies, relationships and trade agreements, which have generally been perceived as stable or evolving, appear to be much more in flux. Adjustments in major trade relationships have already been met by retaliatory measures from other countries and could cause potential escalation in protectionist behavior leading to a drag on growth prospects as trade and investment and productivity growth are reinforcing and linked. Other drivers of geopolitical, economic and market risk may also come from, among other things, increased political tension on the international stage, substantial slowdown and outright recessions in certain markets, pressure on oil prices, rising corporate leverage, continuous abnormally low global interest rates, structural stresses in the European Union, international terrorist activity and armed conflict and risk of armed conflict in the Middle East, East Asia and elsewhere. Similarly, environmental and public health risks, such as natural disasters, pandemics or epidemics, or widespread fear that such events may occur, may impact markets adversely and cause market volatility in both the short- and long-term. In addition, the expanded influence of social media platforms on the market, combined with the access to low cost retail brokerage, can exacerbate the volatility of particular instruments.

Any of these developments, or the perception that any of these developments are likely to occur or worsen, could have a material adverse effect on economic growth or business activity, result in the relocation of businesses, cause business interruptions, lead to economic recession or depression, and impact the stability of financial markets or financial institutions and the financial and monetary system. The Fund may be affected by these developments in ways that are not foreseeable, and there is a possibility that such developments could have a significant adverse effect on the Fund and its ability to achieve its investment objective.

Market turmoil may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Such factors may affect the level and volatility of security prices and liquidity of the Fund’s investments. Credit markets may become illiquid, credit spreads may widen and the equity markets may lose substantial value. Such market conditions may cause the Fund to suffer substantial losses and/or implement measures that adversely affect the Fund. Changes in the value of securities may be temporary or may last for extended periods.

Equity Investments. Equity securities may include common stock, shares of exchange-traded funds that pursue principal investment strategies that invest in equity securities (see also the discussion under “Investment in Other Investment Companies”) private investments in public equities (PIPEs) (see also the discussion under “Securities Issued in PIPE Transactions”), depositary receipts (see also the discussion under “Foreign Investments”), warrants, rights and hybrid securities (see also the discussion under “Hybrid Investments”). Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in a company. This interest often gives the Fund the right to vote on measures affecting the company’s organization and operations. The value of a company’s stock may fall as a result of factors directly relating to that company, such as decisions made by its management or lower demand for the company’s products or services. A stock’s value also may fall because of factors affecting not just the company, but also companies in the same industry or in a number of different industries, such as increases in production costs. The value of a company’s stock also may be affected by changes in financial markets that are relatively unrelated to the company or its industry, such as changes in interest rates or currency exchange rates. In addition, a company’s stock generally pays dividends only after the company invests in its own business and makes required payments to holders of its bonds, other debt and preferred stock. For this reason, the value of a company’s stock will usually react more strongly than its bonds, other debt and preferred stock to actual or perceived changes in the company’s financial condition or prospects. Stocks of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than those of larger companies. Stocks of companies that the Adviser believes are fast-growing may trade at a higher multiple of current earnings than other stocks. The value of such stocks may be more sensitive to changes in current or expected earnings than the values of other stocks. An individual security may be more volatile, and may perform differently, than the market as a whole.

Warrants or rights may be acquired by the Fund in connection with other securities or separately. Warrants are securities permitting, but not obligating, their holder to subscribe for other securities or commodities and provide the Fund with the right to purchase at a later date other securities of the issuer. Rights are similar to warrants but typically are issued by a company to existing holders of its stock and provide those holders the right to purchase additional shares of stock at a later date. Rights also normally have a shorter duration than warrants. Warrants and rights do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities that they entitle their holder to purchase, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuer. Warrants and rights may be more speculative than certain other types of investments and entail risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional equity instrument. While warrants and rights are generally considered equity securities, because their value is derived, at least in part, from the value of the underlying securities, they may be considered hybrid instruments that have features of both equity securities and derivative instruments. However, there are characteristics of warrants and rights that differ from

5


 

derivatives, including that values do not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities. The purchase of warrants and rights involves the risk that the Fund could lose the purchase value of the warrants or rights if the right to subscribe to additional shares is not exercised prior to the warrants’ or rights’ expiration date because warrants and rights cease to have value if they are not exercised prior to their expiration date. Also, the purchase of warrants and rights involves the risk that the effective price paid for the warrants and rights added to the subscription price of the related security may exceed the value of the subscribed security’s market price such as when there is no movement in the price of the underlying security. The market for warrants or rights may be very limited and it may be difficult to sell them promptly at an acceptable price.

Hybrid Investments. Hybrid securities may include preferred stock and convertible securities. Preferred stock generally does not exhibit as great a potential for appreciation or depreciation as common stock, although it ranks above common stock in its claim on income for dividend payments. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, dividends on preferred stock are generally payable at the discretion of the issuer’s board of directors. Preferred shareholders may have certain rights if dividends are not paid but generally have no legal recourse against the issuer. Shareholders may suffer a loss of value if dividends are not paid. The market prices of preferred stocks are generally more sensitive to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness than are the prices of debt securities. Preferred stock of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred stock of larger companies.

A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock, or other security or debt obligation that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. Convertible securities generally have features of, and risks associated with, both equity and fixed income instruments. As such, the value of most convertible securities will vary with changes in the price of, and will be subject to the risks associated with, the underlying common stock. Additionally, convertible securities are also subject to the risk that the issuer may not be able to pay principal or interest when due and the value of the convertible security may change based on the issuer’s credit rating. Because their value can be influenced by many different factors, convertible securities generally have less potential for gain or loss than the underlying common stocks.

A convertible security entitles the holder to receive the interest paid or accrued on debt or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, such securities ordinarily provide a stream of income with generally higher yields than common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower than the yield on non-convertible debt. Convertible securities are usually subordinated to comparable-tier non-convertible securities and other senior debt obligations of the issuer, but rank senior to common stock in a company’s capital structure. The value of a convertible security is a function of its: (1) yield in comparison to the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege; and (2) worth if converted into the underlying common stock. Securities that are convertible other than at the option of the holder generally do not limit the potential for loss to the same extent as securities that are convertible only at the option of the holder.

The price of a convertible security often reflects variations in the price of the underlying common stock in a way that non-convertible debt may not. Convertible securities may be issued by smaller companies whose stock prices may be more volatile than larger companies. A convertible security may have a mandatory conversion feature or a call feature that subjects it to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the security’s governing instrument (see also the discussion under “Call Risk”). If a convertible security held by the Fund is called for redemption, the Fund will be required to convert it into the underlying common stock, sell it to a third party or permit the issuer to redeem the security. Any of these actions could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objectives.

The market value of all securities, including equity and hybrid securities, is based upon the market’s perception of value and not necessarily the book value of an issuer or other objective measure of a company’s worth.

Foreign Investments. The Fund may invest in foreign securities or other types of foreign investments, which may entail a greater degree of risk (including risks relating to exchange rate fluctuations, tax provisions, or expropriation of assets) than does investment in securities of domestic issuers. Investing in foreign securities is a principal investment strategy of the Fund. The Fund may invest in securities of foreign issuers directly or in the form of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs), European Depositary Receipts (EDRs), or other securities representing underlying shares of foreign issuers as alternatives to directly purchasing the underlying foreign securities in their national markets and currencies. However, they continue to be subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities. Positions in these securities are not necessarily denominated in the same currency

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as the common stocks into which they may be converted, and there may be imperfect correlation between the market value of depositary receipts and the underlying foreign securities. ADRs are receipts typically issued by an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities. EDRs are European receipts evidencing a similar arrangement. GDRs are global offerings where two securities are issued simultaneously in two markets, usually publicly in non-U.S. markets and privately in the U.S. market. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets, EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets, and GDRs are designed for use in the U.S. and European securities markets. The Fund may invest in both “sponsored” and “unsponsored” ADRs. In a sponsored ADR, the issuer typically pays some or all of the expenses of the depository and agrees to provide its regular shareholder communications to ADR holders. An unsponsored ADR is created independently of the issuer of the underlying security. The ADR holders generally pay the expenses of the depository and do not have an undertaking from the issuer of the underlying security to furnish shareholder communications. Issuers of unsponsored ADRs are not obligated to disclose material information in the United States and, therefore, there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the ADRs.

With respect to portfolio securities or other types of foreign investments that are issued by foreign issuers or denominated in foreign currencies, the investment performance of the Fund is affected by the strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar against these currencies. For example, if the dollar falls in value relative to the Japanese yen, the dollar value of a yen-denominated stock held in the portfolio will rise even though the price of the stock remains unchanged. Conversely, if the dollar rises in value relative to the yen, the dollar value of the yen-denominated stock will fall. (See also the discussion under “Currency Exchange Transactions.”)

Investors should understand and consider carefully the risks involved in foreign investing. Investing in foreign securities, positions which are generally denominated in foreign currencies, and utilization of forward foreign currency exchange contracts (or other foreign cash management positions) involve certain risks and opportunities not typically associated with investing in U.S. securities. These considerations include: fluctuations in the rates of exchange between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies; possible imposition of exchange control regulations or currency restrictions that would prevent cash from being brought back to the United States; less public information with respect to issuers of securities or other investment products; less governmental supervision of stock exchanges, securities brokers, and issuers of securities; less developed or less efficient trading markets; different accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards; different settlement periods and trading practices; less liquidity and frequently greater price volatility in foreign markets than in the United States; imposition of foreign taxes; and sometimes less advantageous legal, operational and financial protections applicable to foreign custodial or sub-custodial arrangements. The laws of certain countries may limit the ability to recover such assets if a foreign bank or depository or their agents goes bankrupt and the assets of the Fund may be exposed to risk in circumstances where the custodian/sub-custodian will have no liability.

Although the Fund generally seeks to invest in companies and governments of countries having stable political environments, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, seizure or nationalization of foreign bank deposits or other assets, establishment of exchange controls, the adoption of foreign government restrictions or protectionist trade policies, or other adverse political, social or diplomatic developments that could affect investment in these nations. These risks may be more pronounced with respect to investments in emerging markets, as described below. Additionally, economic or other sanctions imposed on the United States by a foreign country, or imposed on a foreign country or issuer by the United States, could impair the Fund’s ability to buy, sell, hold, receive, deliver, or otherwise transact in certain investment securities. Sanctions could also affect the value and/or liquidity of a foreign security.

To the extent the Fund invests in emerging market securities (which may include securities of companies within countries considered to be among the smallest and least mature emerging markets, and are sometimes referred to as “frontier markets”), the Fund may be exposed to market, credit, currency, liquidity, legal, political, technical and other risks different from, and generally greater than, the risks of investing in developed markets. Emerging market countries typically have less-established market economies than developed countries and may face greater social, economic, regulatory and political uncertainties. In addition, emerging markets typically present greater illiquidity and price volatility concerns due to smaller or limited local capital markets and greater difficulty in determining market valuations of securities due to limited public information on issuers. Frontier markets are even more prone to economic shocks associated with political and economic risks than are emerging markets generally. Many frontier market countries may be dependent on commodities, foreign trade or foreign aid. As a result, those risks traditionally associated with investments in emerging markets may be more pronounced with respect to investments in frontier market economies.

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Investing in the Fund can be an efficient way for an individual to participate in foreign markets, but the cost of investing in foreign markets is higher than the cost of investing in U.S. markets and the expenses of the Fund should it invest in foreign securities or other markets, including advisory and custody fees, are higher than the expenses of many mutual funds that invest only in domestic equities.

Unless specifically noted otherwise, the Adviser will determine an investment’s location based on Bloomberg L.P.’s (“Bloomberg”) determination of the investment’s “country of risk.” The location of commercial paper is determined by the location of the guarantor in the first instance and then “country of risk” as needed. “Country of risk” as defined by Bloomberg can be based on a number of criteria, including an issuer’s country of domicile, the country of the primary stock exchange on which it trades, the location from which the majority of its revenue comes, and its reporting currency.

Restricted and Illiquid Instruments. The Fund may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which generally includes any security that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the security. A security may be “illiquid” for various reasons, including that it may be subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale (“restricted securities”). Illiquid securities may be priced at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees. Restricted securities that are not illiquid (generally as determined under the analysis in the next paragraph) will not be subject to the 15% limit. Generally, restricted securities may be sold only in privately negotiated transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”). Where registration is required, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable period may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than that which prevailed when it decided to sell. Unanticipated episodes of illiquidity, including due to market or political factors, instrument or issuer-specific factors and/or unanticipated outflows, may limit the Fund’s ability to pay redemptions. To meet redemption requests during periods of illiquidity, the Fund may be forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or unfavorable conditions.

The Fund may purchase securities that have been privately placed but that are eligible for purchase and sale under Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. That rule permits certain qualified institutional buyers, such as the Fund, to trade in privately placed securities that have not been registered for sale under the 1933 Act. The Adviser, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, will consider whether securities purchased under Rule 144A are illiquid and thus subject to the Fund’s restriction on investing in illiquid securities. A determination as to whether a Rule 144A (or similarly restricted) security is liquid is a factual issue requiring an evaluation of a number of factors. In making this determination, which would be made only if consistent with the liquidity risk management program described above, the Adviser will consider the trading markets for the specific security, taking into account the unregistered nature of the security. Investing in Rule 144A (or similarly restricted) securities could have the effect of increasing the amount of the Fund’s assets invested in illiquid securities if other qualified buyers are unwilling to purchase such securities.

The market for lower-quality debt instruments, including junk bonds, is generally less liquid than the market for higher-quality debt securities, and at times it may become difficult to sell lower-quality debt securities. While no risk management program can be fail-safe, in accordance with Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act the Trust has adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, that is believed to be reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk.

Private Investment Funds. The Fund may invest to a limited extent in private investment funds. Such funds are not registered under the Investment Company Act and are therefore not subject to the extensive regulatory requirements it imposes. Private investment funds typically do not disclose the contents of their portfolios, which may make it difficult for the Fund to independently verify the value of an investment in a private investment fund. In addition, the Fund may not be able to withdraw an investment in a private investment fund except at certain designated times, presenting the risk that the Fund would not be able to withdraw from a private investment fund as soon as desired, especially during periods of volatility in markets in which such a private investment fund invests. Investments in private investment funds may be subject to the Fund’s limitations on investments in “illiquid securities,” as described immediately above. To the extent the Fund invests in private investment funds, its performance will be affected by the performance of those private investment funds.

Investment in Other Investment Companies. The Fund may invest in other registered investment companies. For example, certain markets are closed in whole or in part to equity investments by foreigners and may be available for investment solely or primarily through such an investment company. The Fund generally may invest up to 10% of its

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total assets in shares of other investment companies and up to 5% of its total assets in any one investment company (in each case measured at the time of investment), as long as no investment represents more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of the acquired investment company at the time of investment. These restrictions do not apply to certain investment companies known as private investment companies and “qualified purchaser” investment companies (described above under “Private Investment Funds”), nor do these restrictions necessarily apply to affiliated fund of funds arrangements, to investments in money market funds, or to investments in certain ETFs (as further described below), subject to specialized SEC “exemptive orders” applicable to those ETFs or rules under the Investment Company Act. The SEC has recently adopted changes to the framework governing investments in other registered investment companies, and such new rules could negatively impact the Fund’s ability to invest in other registered investment companies.

Investment in another investment company may involve the payment of a premium above the value of the issuer’s portfolio securities, and is subject to market availability. In the case of a purchase of shares of such a company in a public offering, the purchase price may include an underwriting spread. The Fund does not intend to invest in such an investment company unless, in the judgment of the Adviser, the potential benefits of such investment justify the payment of any applicable premium or sales charge. As a shareholder in an investment company, the Fund would bear its ratable share of that investment company’s expenses, including its advisory and administration fees. At the same time, the Fund would continue to pay its own advisory fees and other expenses. To the extent the Fund invests in other registered investment companies, its performance will be affected by the performance of those other registered investment companies.

Exchange-Traded Funds (“ETFs”). The Fund may invest in ETFs. ETFs are investment companies or special purpose trusts that often pursue investment objectives to achieve the same rate of return as a particular market index or commodity while trading throughout the day on an exchange. Most ETF shares are sold initially in the primary market in units of 50,000 or more (“creation units”). A creation unit represents a bundle of securities (or other assets) that replicates, or is a representative sample of, the ETF’s holdings and that is deposited with the ETF. Once owned, the individual shares comprising each creation unit are traded on an exchange in secondary market transactions for cash. The secondary market for ETF shares allows them to be readily converted into cash, like commonly traded stocks. The combination of primary and secondary markets permits ETF shares to be traded throughout the day close to the value of the ETF’s underlying holdings. The Fund would purchase and sell individual shares of ETFs in the secondary market. These secondary market transactions require the payment of commissions.

ETF shares are subject to the same risks as investment companies, as described above. Furthermore, there may be times when the exchange halts trading, in which case the Fund owning ETF shares would be unable to sell them until trading is resumed. In addition, because ETFs often invest in a portfolio of common stocks and “track” a designated index, an overall decline in stocks comprising an ETF’s benchmark index could have a greater impact on the ETF and investors than might be the case in an investment company with a more widely diversified portfolio. Losses could also occur if the ETF is unable to replicate the performance of the chosen benchmark index. ETFs tracking the return of a particular commodity (e.g., gold or oil) are exposed to the volatility and other financial risks relating to commodities investments.

Other risks associated with ETFs include the possibility that: (i) an ETF’s distributions may decline if the issuers of the ETF’s portfolio securities fail to continue to pay dividends; and (ii) under certain circumstances, an ETF could be terminated. Should termination occur, the ETF could have to liquidate its portfolio when the prices for those assets are falling. In addition, inadequate or irregularly provided information about an ETF or its investments, because many ETFs are passively managed, could expose investors in ETFs to unknown risks.

Commercial Paper. Commercial paper is a short-term debt security issued by a corporation, bank, municipality, or other issuer, typically for purposes such as financing current operations. Issuers generally do not register their commercial paper with the SEC. The Fund may invest in commercial paper that cannot be resold to the public without an effective registration statement under the 1933 Act. While some unregistered commercial paper normally is deemed illiquid, the Adviser may in certain cases determine that such paper is liquid. In some cases, the ratings of commercial paper issuers have been downgraded abruptly, leaving holders with little opportunity to avoid losses.

Credit Risk. Credit risk is the risk that issuers, guarantors, or insurers may fail, or become less able or unwilling, to pay interest and/or principal when due, including default risk. The value of the debt securities and other instruments held by the Fund fluctuates with the credit quality, or perceived credit quality, of the issuers of those instruments. The Fund could lose money if the issuer of a security is unable to meet its financial obligations or goes bankrupt. Failure of

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an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest or a decline or perception of decline in the credit quality of a debt security can cause the price of the debt security to fall, potentially lowering the Fund’s share price. The credit quality of a security or instrument can deteriorate suddenly and rapidly, which may negatively impact its liquidity and value. Generally, the longer the maturity and the lower the credit quality of a security, the more sensitive it is to credit risk. Ratings represent a rating agency’s opinion regarding the quality of the security and are not a guarantee of quality and do not protect against a decline of value of a security.

Lower-Rated Debt Instruments. The Fund may invest in debt instruments, including lower-rated instruments (i.e., instruments rated BB+ or lower by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or Ba1 or lower by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”), commonly called “junk bonds”) and instruments that are not rated. There are no restrictions as to the ratings of debt securities or other instruments acquired by the Fund or the portion of the Fund’s assets that may be invested in debt securities or other instruments in a particular rating category. The Adviser may also use internal ratings on unrated securities. A more complete description of the characteristics of bonds in each rating category is included in the appendix to this Statement of Additional Information.

Securities or other instruments rated BBB by S&P or Baa by Moody’s (the lowest investment grade ratings) are considered to be of medium grade and to have speculative characteristics. Debt securities rated below investment grade are predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Although lower-rated debt and comparable unrated debt securities may offer higher yields than do higher-rated securities, they generally involve greater volatility of price and risk of principal and income, including the possibility of default by, or bankruptcy of, the issuers of the securities. In addition, the markets in which lower-rated and unrated debt securities or other instruments are traded are more limited than those in which higher-rated securities are traded. Adverse publicity and investors’ perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of lower-rated debt securities or other instruments, especially in a thinly traded market. During periods of thin trading in these markets, the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase significantly, and the Fund may have greater difficulty selling and valuing its portfolio securities. (See “Computation of Net Asset Value”). Analyses of the creditworthiness of issuers of lower-rated debt securities may be more complex than for issuers of higher-rated securities, and the ability of the Fund to achieve its investment objective may, to the extent of investment in lower-rated debt securities, be more dependent upon such creditworthiness analyses than would be the case if the Fund were investing in higher-rated securities. Prices of these securities may be subject to extreme price fluctuations.

Lower-rated debt instruments may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than investment grade securities. The prices of lower-rated debt securities have been found in some circumstances to be less sensitive to interest rate changes than higher-rated investments, but are generally more sensitive to adverse economic downturns or individual corporate developments. A projection of an economic downturn or of a period of rising interest rates, for example, could cause a decline in lower-rated debt securities’ prices because the advent of a recession could lessen the ability of a highly leveraged company to make principal and interest payments on its debt securities. These issuers may have a larger amount of outstanding debt relative to their assets than issuers of investment grade bonds. In the event of an issuer’s bankruptcy, claims of other creditors may have priority over the claims of holders of lower rated bonds, leaving few or no assets available to repay those bond holders. Adverse changes to the issuer’s industry and general economic conditions may have a greater impact on the prices of lower rated securities than on those of other higher rated fixed income securities. If a rating agency gives a debt instrument a lower rating, the value of the instrument may decline because investors may demand a higher rate of return. Ratings represent a rating agency’s opinion regarding the quality of the security and are not a guarantee of quality. In addition, rating agencies may fail to make timely changes to credit ratings in response to subsequent events and a rating may become stale in that it fails to reflect changes in an issuer’s financial condition.

A more complete description of the characteristics of bonds in each rating category is included in the appendix to this Statement of Additional Information.

Defaulted Securities. The Fund may invest in securities or debt of companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Such investments involve a substantial degree of risk, are speculative and are subject to many of the risks associated with investments in lower-rated debt instruments. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a company in which the Fund invests, the Fund may lose its entire investment, may be required to accept cash or securities with a value less than the Fund’s original investment, and/or may be required to accept payment over an extended period of time. Under such circumstances, the returns generated may not compensate the Fund adequately for

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the risks assumed. A wide variety of considerations render the outcome of any investment in a financially distressed company uncertain, and the level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful investment in companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties, is unusually high. The Fund may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting issuer.

There is no assurance that the Adviser will correctly evaluate the intrinsic values of the distressed companies in which the Fund may invest. There is also no assurance that the Adviser will correctly evaluate how such value will be distributed among the different classes of creditors, or that the Adviser will have properly assessed the steps and timing thereof in the bankruptcy or liquidation process. Any one or all of such companies may be unsuccessful in their reorganization and their ability to improve their operating performance. Also, such companies’ securities may be considered speculative, and the ability of such companies to pay their debts on schedule could be affected by adverse interest rate movements, changes in the general economic climate, economic factors affecting a particular industry, or specific developments within such companies. The Fund may invest in the securities of companies involved in bankruptcy proceedings, reorganizations and financial restructurings and may have a more active participation in the affairs of the issuer than is generally assumed by an investor.

This may subject the Fund to litigation risks or prevent the Fund from disposing of securities. In a bankruptcy or other proceeding, the Fund as a creditor may be unable to enforce its rights in any collateral or may have its security interest in any collateral challenged, disallowed or subordinated to the claims of other creditors. While the Fund will attempt to avoid taking the types of actions that would lead to equitable subordination or creditor liability, there can be no assurance that such claims will not be asserted or that the Fund will be able to successfully defend against them.

Trade Claims. The Fund may invest in trade claims. Trade claims are interests in amounts owed to suppliers of goods or services and are purchased from creditors of companies in financial difficulty and often involved in bankruptcy proceedings. Trade claims offer investors the potential for profits since they are sometimes purchased at a significant discount from face value and, consequently, may generate capital appreciation in the event that the market value of the claim increases as the debtor’s financial position improves or the claim is paid. Investing in trade claims exposes the Fund to various risks similar to those borne by a creditor. Investments in trade claims are also less liquid than investments in publicly traded securities, and there is no guarantee that the debtor will be able to satisfy the obligation on the trade claim. Additionally, there can be restrictions on the purchase, sale, and/or transferability of trade claims during all or part of a bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding. Trade claims are subject to risks not generally associated with standardized securities and instruments due to the nature of the claims purchased. Trade claims may not be considered “securities,” and purchasers, such as the Fund, therefore may not be entitled to rely on the anti-fraud protections of the federal securities laws.

Interest Rate Risk. Fluctuations in interest rates will affect the value of the Fund. An increase in interest rates tends to reduce the market value of debt securities, while a decline in interest rates tends to increase their values. Duration is a mathematical calculation of the average life of a fixed income or preferred security that serves as a measure of the security’s price risk to changes in interest rates (or yields). Securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with shorter durations. Thus, the Fund’s sensitivity to interest rate risk will increase with any increase in the Fund’s overall duration. 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. The link between interest rates and debt securities tends to be weaker with lower-rated debt securities than with investment grade debt securities.

Prepayment Risk. This risk relates primarily to mortgage-backed securities. During a period of declining interest rates, homeowners may refinance their high-rate mortgages and prepay the principal. Cash from these prepayments flows through to prepay the mortgage-backed securities, necessitating reinvestment in bonds with lower interest rates, which may lower the returns to any Fund invested in mortgage-backed securities. Decreases in market interest rates may also result in prepayments of obligations the Fund acquires, requiring the Fund to reinvest at lower interest rates. Conversely, rising market interest rates generally result in slower payoffs, which effectively increases the duration of certain debts, heightening interest rate risk and increasing the magnitude of any resulting price declines. Asset-backed securities, which are subject to risks similar to those of mortgage-backed securities, are also structured like mortgage-backed securities, but instead of mortgage loans or interests in mortgage loans, the underlying assets may include such items as motor vehicle installment sales or installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal

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property and receivables from credit card agreements. The market for mortgage-backed and asset-backed instruments may be volatile and limited, which may make them difficult to buy or sell. (See “Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities” below.)

Call Risk. Some debt and convertible securities in which the Fund may invest are also subject to the risk that the issuer might repay them early (“call risk”). When market interest rates are low, issuers may call securities paying higher interest rates. For this reason, the Fund holding a callable security may not enjoy the increase in the security’s market price that usually accompanies a decline in rates. Furthermore, the Fund would have to reinvest the proceeds from the called security at the current, lower rates or in securities with less favorable characteristics. In addition, the Fund may not benefit from any increase in value in the securities that might otherwise result from declining interest rates. The likelihood of a call also may impact the price of a security.

U.S. Government Securities. Among the types of fixed income securities in which the Fund may invest are United States government obligations. United States government obligations include Treasury Notes, Bonds and Bills which are direct obligations of the United States government backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, and securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the United States government (“government-sponsored entities”), which may be (i) guaranteed by the United States Treasury, such as the securities of the Government National Mortgage Association, or (ii) supported by the issuer’s right to borrow from the Treasury and backed by the credit of the federal agency or instrumentality itself, such as securities of the Federal Intermediate Land Banks, Federal Land Banks, Bank of Cooperatives, Federal Home Loan Banks, Tennessee Valley Authority and Farmers Home Administration. Although the Fund may hold securities that carry United States government guarantees, these guarantees do not extend to shares of the Fund itself and do not guarantee the market prices of the securities. In September of 2008, the U.S. Treasury placed under conservatorship two government-sponsored entities, the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, and appointed the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”) to manage their daily operations. While these entities remain to date under the conservatorship of the FHFA, long-term, continued operation in government-run conservatorships is not sustainable. In addition, the U.S. Treasury entered into purchase agreements with these two entities to provide them with capital in exchange for senior preferred stock. Generally, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury and are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. In most cases, these securities are supported only by the credit of the issuing entity itself, standing alone. In recent periods, the values of U.S. government securities have been affected substantially by increased demand. Increases (or decreases) in demand of such securities may occur at any time and may result in increased volatility in the values of those securities.

Municipal Bonds. Government obligations in which the Fund may invest also include municipal securities, which are obligations, often bonds and notes, issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies, authorities and instrumentalities, the interest on which is typically exempt from federal income tax. From time to time, proposals to restrict or eliminate the federal income tax exemption from interest on municipal securities are introduced before Congress. Proposals also may be introduced before state legislatures. If such proposals were enacted, the availability of municipal securities and their value would be affected.

Municipal bonds are generally considered riskier investments than Treasury securities. The prices and yields on municipal securities are subject to change from time to time and depend upon a variety of factors, including general money market conditions, the financial condition of the issuer (or other entities whose financial resources are supporting the municipal security), general conditions in the market for tax-exempt obligations, the size of a particular offering and the maturity of the obligation and the rating(s) of the issue. Contrary to historical trends, in recent years, the market has encountered downgrades, increased rates of default and lower yields on municipal bonds. This is a product of significant reductions in revenues for many states and municipalities as well as residual effects of a generally weakened economy.

Mortgage- and Asset-Backed Securities. Mortgage-backed securities, including residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, represent direct or indirect participations in, or are secured by and payable from, pools of mortgage loans. Those securities may be guaranteed by a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality (such as by Ginnie Mae); issued and guaranteed by a government-sponsored stockholder-owned corporation, though not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States (such as by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac); or issued by fully private issuers. Private issuers are generally originators of and investors in mortgage loans and include savings associations, mortgage bankers, commercial banks, investment bankers, and special purpose entities. Private mortgage-backed

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securities may be backed by U.S. Government agency supported mortgage loans or some form of non-governmental credit enhancement.

Mortgage-backed securities may have either fixed or adjustable interest rates. Tax or regulatory changes may adversely affect the mortgage securities market. In addition, changes in the market’s perception of the issuer may affect the value of mortgage-backed securities. The rate of return on mortgage-backed securities may be affected by prepayments of principal on the underlying loans, which generally increase as market interest rates decline (see “Prepayment Risk” above). When interest rates decline, holders of these securities normally do not benefit from appreciation in market value to the same extent as holders of other non-callable debt securities. Rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of, or reduce the rate of prepayments on mortgage-backed securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates (“extension risk”). As a result, in a period of rising interest rates, the price of mortgage-backed securities may fall, causing the Fund that holds mortgage-backed securities to potentially exhibit additional volatility. Investments in mortgage-backed securities, including those comprised of subprime mortgages, may be subject to a higher degree of credit risk, valuation risk, and liquidity risk than various other types of debt securities. Additionally, although mortgage-backed securities are generally supported by some form of government or private guarantee and/or insurance, there is no assurance that guarantors or insurers will meet their obligations.

Asset-backed securities represent direct or indirect participations in, or are secured by and payable from, pools of assets such as, among other things, motor vehicle installment sales contracts, installment loan contracts, leases of various types of real and personal property, and receivables from revolving credit (credit card) agreements, or a combination of the foregoing. These assets are securitized through the use of trusts and special purpose corporations. Credit enhancements, such as various forms of cash collateral accounts or letters of credit, may support payments of principal and interest on asset-backed securities. Although these securities may be supported by letters of credit or other credit enhancements, payment of interest and principal ultimately depends upon individuals paying the underlying loans, which may be affected adversely by general downturns in the economy. Asset-backed securities are also subject to the risk of prepayment (see “Prepayment Risk” above) and to extension risk. The risk that recovery on repossessed collateral might be unavailable or inadequate to support payments, however, is greater for asset-backed securities than for mortgage-backed securities.

Derivative Transactions. The Fund may invest in options, futures and swaps and related products which are often referred to as “derivatives.” The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that can involve investment techniques and risks different from, and in some respects greater than, those associated with investing in more traditional investments such as stocks and bonds. Derivatives may have a return that is tied to a formula based upon an interest rate, index or other measurement which may differ from the return of a simple security of the same maturity. A formula may have a cap or other limitation on the rate of interest to be paid. Derivatives may have varying degrees of volatility at different times, or under different market conditions, and may perform in unanticipated ways. Derivatives can be difficult to value and valuation may be more difficult in times of market turmoil. There may be imperfect correlation between the behavior of a derivative and that of the reference instrument underlying the derivative, and the reference asset may not perform as anticipated. An abrupt change in the price of a reference instrument could render a derivative worthless. Derivatives may involve risks different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the reference instrument. Derivatives may involve fees, commissions, or other costs that may reduce the Fund’s gains or exacerbate losses from the derivatives.

The Fund may enter into interest rate, credit default, currency, equity, fixed income and index swaps and the purchase or sale of related caps, floors and collars. The Fund may enter into these transactions to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio, to protect against currency fluctuations, for investment purposes, to deploy cash or to protect against any increase in the price of securities it anticipates purchasing at a later date. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, such as an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments with respect to a notional amount of principal. A currency swap is an agreement to exchange cash flows on a notional amount of two or more currencies based on the relative value differential between them. An index swap is an agreement to swap cash flows on a notional amount based on changes in values of the reference indices. For example, the Fund may agree to swap the return generated from one fixed income index for the return generated by a second fixed income index. Swaps may be used in conjunction with other derivative instruments to offset interest rate, currency or other underlying risks. For example, interest rate swaps may be offset with “caps,” “floors” or “collars.” A “cap” is essentially a call option which places a limit on the amount of floating rate interest that must be paid on a certain principal amount. A “floor” is essentially a put

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option which places a limit on the minimum amount that would be paid on a certain principal amount. A “collar” is essentially a combination of a long cap and short floor where the limits are set at different levels.

The Fund will usually enter into swaps on a net basis; that is, the two payment streams will be netted out in a cash settlement on the payment date or dates specified in the instrument, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. To the extent obligations created thereby may be deemed to constitute senior securities under the Investment Company Act, the Fund will maintain required collateral in a segregated account consisting of liquid assets (alternatively, the Fund may “earmark” or otherwise record on its books the designation of such liquid assets as collateral) in accordance with applicable SEC or SEC staff guidance. The segregation or earmarking of these assets will have the effect of limiting the investment adviser’s ability otherwise to invest those assets and segregated assets are not available to meet redemptions.

Effective late 2022, longstanding regulatory guidance governing use of derivatives by mutual funds will be withdrawn and superseded by new Rule 18f-4 under the Investment Company Act. The rule is accompanied by a new set of conditions and interpretations that will need to be assessed for the Fund in light of the Fund’s anticipated practices and stated investment restrictions. Once implemented, the rule could limit the Fund’s ability to use derivatives in support of its investment strategies and may make derivatives more costly, or may otherwise adversely affect their liquidity, value or performance. Whether those changes will materially impact the Fund is not known at this time.

Equity-Swap Contracts. The Fund may enter into both long and short equity-swap contracts. A long equity-swap contract entitles the Fund to receive from the counterparty any appreciation and dividends paid on an individual security, while obligating the Fund to pay the counterparty any depreciation on the security as well as interest on the notional amount of the contract. A short equity-swap contract obligates the Fund to pay the counterparty any appreciation and dividends paid on an individual security, while entitling the Fund to receive from the counterparty any depreciation on the security as well as interest on the notional value of the contract.

The Fund may also enter into equity-swap contracts whose value is determined by the spread between a long equity position and a short equity position. This type of swap contract obligates the Fund to pay the counterparty an amount tied to any increase in the spread between the two securities over the term of the contract. The Fund is also obligated to pay the counterparty any dividends paid on the short equity holding as well as any net financing costs. This type of swap contract entitles the Fund to receive from the counterparty any gains based on a decrease in the spread as well as any dividends paid on the long equity holding and any net interest income.

Fluctuations in the value of an open contract are recorded daily as a net unrealized gain or loss. The Fund will realize gain or loss upon termination or reset of the contract. Either party, under certain conditions, may terminate the contract prior to the contract’s expiration date. Equity swaps normally do not involve the delivery of securities or underlying assets.

Credit risk may arise as a result of the failure of the counterparty to comply with the terms of the contract. Additionally, risk may arise from unanticipated movements in interest rates or in the value of the underlying securities.

The risk of loss consists of the net payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to receive, if any. In certain circumstances swap collateral also may be exposed. Since these transactions are offset by segregated (or otherwise “earmarked”) cash or liquid assets, these transactions will not be considered to constitute senior securities under the Investment Company Act.

Special Risks of Over-the-Counter Derivative Transactions. Over-the-Counter (“OTC”) derivative transactions differ from exchange-traded derivative transactions in several respects. OTC derivatives are transacted directly with dealers and not with a clearing corporation. Without the availability of a clearing corporation, OTC derivative pricing is normally done by reference to information from market makers, which information is carefully monitored by the Adviser and verified in appropriate cases. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and related regulatory developments may ultimately require the clearing and exchange-trading of many OTC derivative instruments that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and SEC defined as “swaps” including non-deliverable foreign exchange forwards, OTC foreign exchange options and swaptions. To date, certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps are already subject to such requirements. Mandatory exchange trading and clearing requirements have been phased-in based on type of market participant and CFTC approval of contracts for central clearing. The Adviser will continue to monitor developments in this area, particularly to the extent regulatory changes affect the Fund’s ability to enter into swap agreements.

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As OTC derivatives are transacted directly with dealers, there is a risk of nonperformance by the dealer as a result of the insolvency of such dealer or otherwise. An OTC derivative may only be terminated voluntarily by entering into a closing transaction with the dealer with whom the Fund originally dealt. Any such cancellation may require the Fund to pay a premium to that dealer. In those cases in which the Fund has entered into a covered derivative transaction and cannot voluntarily terminate the derivative, the Fund will not be able to sell the underlying security until the derivative expires or is exercised or different cover is substituted. There is also no assurance that the Fund will be able to liquidate an OTC derivative at any time prior to expiration.

Options Transactions. Certain transactions in options on securities and on stock indices may be useful in limiting the Fund’s investment risk and augmenting its investment return. However, the amount (if any) of the Fund’s assets that will be involved in options transactions is anticipated to be small relative to such Fund’s total assets. Accordingly, it is expected that only a relatively small portion of the Fund’s investment return will be attributable to transactions in options on securities and on stock indices. The Fund may invest in options transactions involving options on securities and on stock indices that are traded on U.S. and foreign exchanges or in the over-the-counter markets.

A call option is a contract pursuant to which the purchaser, in return for a premium paid, has the right to buy the equity or debt security underlying the option at a specified exercise price at any time during the term of the option. With respect to a call option on a stock index, the purchaser is entitled to receive cash if the underlying stock index rises sufficiently above its level at the time the option was purchased. The writer of the call option, who receives the premium, has the obligation, upon exercise of the option, to deliver the underlying equity or debt security against payment of the exercise price. With respect to a call option on a stock index, the writer has the obligation to deliver cash if the underlying index rises sufficiently above its level when the option was purchased.

A put option gives the purchaser, in return for a premium, the right to sell the underlying equity or debt security at a specified exercise price during the term of the option. With respect to a put option on a stock index, the purchaser is entitled to receive cash if the underlying index falls sufficiently below its level at the time the option was purchased. The writer of the put, who receives the premium, has the obligation to buy the underlying equity or debt security upon exercise at the exercise price. With respect to a put option on a stock index, the writer has the obligation to deliver cash if the underlying index falls sufficiently below its level when the option was purchased. The price of an option will reflect, among other things, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price of the underlying financial instrument or index, the price volatility of the underlying financial instrument or index, the remaining term of the option, supply and demand of such options and interest rates.

One purpose of purchasing call options is to hedge against an increase in the price of securities that the Fund ultimately intends to buy. Hedge protection is provided during the life of the call because the Fund, as the holder of the call, is able to buy the underlying security at the exercise price, and, in the case of a call on a stock index, is entitled to receive cash if the underlying index rises sufficiently. However, if the value of a security underlying a call option or the general market or a market sector does not rise sufficiently when the Fund has purchased a call option on the underlying instrument, that option may result in a loss.

Securities and options exchanges have established limitations on the maximum number of options that an investor or group of investors acting in concert may write. It is possible that the Fund, other mutual funds advised by the Adviser and other clients of the Adviser may be considered such a group. Position limits may restrict the Fund’s ability to purchase or sell options on particular securities and on stock indices.

Covered Option Writing. The Fund may write “covered” call options on equity or debt securities and on stock indices in seeking to enhance investment return or to hedge against declines in the prices of portfolio securities or may write put options to hedge against increases in the prices of securities which it intends to purchase. A call option is covered if the Fund holds, on a share-for-share basis, either the underlying shares or a call on the same security as the call written where the exercise price of the call held is equal to or less than the exercise price of the call written (or greater than the exercise price of the call written if the difference is maintained by the Fund in cash, Treasury bills or other high grade short-term obligations in a segregated account with its custodian). A put option is “covered” if the Fund maintains cash, Treasury bills or other high grade short-term obligations with a value equal to the exercise price in a segregated account with its custodian, or holds on a share-for-share basis a put on the same equity or debt security as the put written where the exercise price of the put held is equal to or greater than the exercise price of the put written, or lower than the exercise price of the put written if the difference is maintained in a segregated account with its custodian. Alternatively, a call or put option is covered if the Fund “earmarks” or otherwise records on its books the designation of such liquid assets as collateral. One reason for writing options is to attempt to realize, through the receipt of premiums,

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a greater return than would be realized on the securities alone. In the case of a securities call, the writer receives the premium, but has given up the opportunity for profit from a price increase in the underlying security above the exercise price during the option period. In the case of a stock index call, the writer receives the premium, but is obligated to deliver cash if the underlying index rises sufficiently during the option period. Conversely, the put option writer has, in the form of the premium, gained a profit as long as the price of the underlying security or stock index remains above the exercise price, but has assumed an obligation to purchase the underlying security at the exercise price from or deliver cash to the buyer of the put option during the option period. Other “coverage” arrangements also may be used as permitted by applicable law.

Another reason for writing options is to hedge against a moderate decline in the value of securities owned by the Fund in the case of a call option, or a moderate increase in the value of securities the Fund intends to purchase in the case of a put option. If a covered option written by the Fund expires unexercised, it will realize income equal to the amount of the premium it received for the option. If an increase occurs in the underlying security or stock index sufficient to result in the exercise of a call written by the Fund, it may be required to deliver securities or cash and may thereby forego some or all of the gain that otherwise may have been realized on the securities underlying the call option. This “opportunity cost” may be partially or wholly offset by the premium received for the covered call written by the Fund.

Options on Market Indices. The Fund will write call options on broadly based stock and bond market indices only if at the time of writing it holds a portfolio of stocks or bonds listed on such index. When the Fund writes a call option on a broadly based market index, it will generally segregate or put into escrow with its custodian any combination of cash, cash equivalents or “qualified securities” with a market value at the time the option is written of not less than 100% of the current index value times the multiplier times the number of contracts. A “qualified security” is a security which is listed on a securities exchange or on the NASDAQ against which the Fund has not written a call option and which has not been hedged by the sale of market index futures. Other “coverage” arrangements also may be used as permitted by applicable law.

Index prices may be distorted if trading in certain securities included in the index is interrupted. Trading in the options also may be interrupted in certain circumstances, such as if trading were halted in a substantial number of securities included in the index. If this occurred, the Fund would not be able to close out options which it had purchased or written and, if restrictions on exercise were imposed, might be unable to exercise an option it held, which could result in substantial losses to the Fund.

If the Fund were assigned an exercise notice on a call it has written, it would be required to liquidate portfolio securities in order to satisfy the exercise, unless it has other liquid assets that are sufficient to satisfy the exercise of the call. When the Fund has written a call, there is also a risk that the market may decline between the time the Fund has a call exercised against it, at a price which is fixed as of the closing level of the index on the date of exercise, and the time it is able to sell securities in its portfolio. The Fund will not learn that an index option has been exercised until the day following the exercise date but, unlike a call on a security where it would be able to deliver the underlying securities in settlement, the Fund may have to sell part of its securities portfolio in order to make settlement in cash, and the price of such securities might decline before they can be sold. For example, even if an index call which the Fund has written is “covered” by an index call held by the Fund with the same strike price, it will bear the risk that the level of the may decline between the close of trading on the date the exercise notice is filed with the Options Clearing Corporation and the close of trading on the date the Fund exercises the call it holds or the time it sells the call, which in either case would occur no earlier than the day following the day the exercise notice was filed.

Futures and Options on Futures. The Fund may utilize futures contracts and options on futures. These transactions may be effected on securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. When purchased over-the-counter, the Fund bears the risk that the counterparty to the contract will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations. These contracts may also be illiquid and, in such cases, the Fund may have difficulty closing out its position. Engaging in these types of transactions is a specialized activity and involves risk of loss. In addition, engaging in these types of transactions may increase the volatility of returns, because they commonly involve significant “built in” leverage and can be entered into with relatively small “margin” commitments relative to the resulting investment exposure. Futures contracts and similar “derivative” instruments are also subject to the risk of default by the counterparties to the contracts. The Fund may engage in certain investment techniques which create market exposure, such as dollar rolls.

The Fund may enter into futures contracts in U.S. markets or on exchanges located outside the United States. Foreign markets may offer advantages such as trading opportunities or arbitrage possibilities not available in the

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United States. Foreign markets, however, may have greater risk potential than U.S. markets. For example, some foreign exchanges are principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and an investor may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. In addition, any profits realized could be eliminated by adverse changes in the exchange rate. Transactions on foreign exchanges may include both commodities that are traded on U.S. exchanges and those that are not. Unlike trading on U.S. commodity exchanges, trading on foreign commodity exchanges is not regulated by the CFTC.

Many futures exchanges and boards of trade limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods during the trading day. Futures contract prices could move to the limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and potentially subjecting the Fund to substantial losses. Successful use of futures also is subject to the investment adviser’s ability to predict correctly movements in the direction of the relevant market, and, to the extent the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, to determine the appropriate correlation between the transaction being hedged and the price movements of the futures contract.

Positions of the SEC and its staff may require the Fund to segregate or earmark liquid assets in connection with its options and futures transactions in an amount generally equal to the value of the underlying option or commodity. The segregation or earmarking of these assets will have the effect of limiting the investment adviser’s ability otherwise to invest those assets. Futures and related options transactions must constitute permissible transactions pursuant to regulations promulgated by the CFTC. As a general matter, the Adviser intends to conduct the operations of the Fund in compliance with CFTC Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act of 1974 (the “Commodity Exchange Act”), as amended, in order to avoid regulation by the CFTC as a commodity pool operator with respect to the Fund. The Rule 4.5 exemption limits (i) the ability of any Fund to trade in specified “commodity interests” (generally, futures, options on futures, certain foreign exchange transactions, and many swaps) beyond levels approved by the CFTC as de minimis and (ii) the ability of any Fund to market itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The regulatory requirements could change at any time and additional regulations could also be adopted, which may adversely affect the Fund.

Commodities and Commodity Contracts. The Fund may purchase or sell commodities (e.g., precious metals, such as gold or silver (metals are considered “commodities” under the federal commodities laws) and other non-precious metals related commodities) directly or may invest in commodities contracts and options on such contracts. The Fund also may invest in instruments related to commodities, including precious metals. These instruments may include, for example, structured notes or securities of commodity finance and operating companies.

Gold and other Precious Metals. The Fund may invest in gold and gold-related issues, including ETFs that hold gold or track the price of gold and other precious-metal related issues (e.g., silver). The Fund is therefore susceptible to specific political and other risks affecting the price of gold and other precious metals.

The price of gold has been subject to substantial upward and downward price movements over short periods of time and may be affected by economic cycles, resource availability, increased competition, changes in U.S. and foreign regulatory policies, unpredictable international monetary and political policies, such as currency devaluations or revaluations, economic conditions within an individual country, trade imbalances, or trade or currency restrictions between countries and world inflation rates and interest rates. The price of gold, in turn, is likely to affect the market prices of securities of companies mining, processing or dealing in gold. Other factors that may affect the prices of gold, precious metals and securities related to them include changes in industrial and commercial demand for gold and precious metals. Accordingly, the value of the Fund’s investments in such securities also may be affected.

In addition to investing in precious metal finance and operating companies, the Fund may also invest directly in precious metals (such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion) or purchase or sell contracts for their future delivery (“futures contracts,” the risks of which are described above under “Futures and Options on Futures”). The risks related to investing in precious metals directly are similar to those of investing in precious metal finance and operating companies, as described in the Fund’s Prospectus. Moreover, the risks of investing in other precious metals are similar to gold but are not the same. For example, the market for other precious metals (e.g., silver) may be more affected by commercial demand than broader changes in domestic and foreign policy or economic policies more generally. There are, however, additional considerations related to such direct precious metal investments, including custody and transaction costs that may be higher than those involving securities. In addition, storage, insurance, allaying and custody charges for other precious metals, among other costs, may be greater than the costs associated with direct investments in

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gold when measured on a unit of value basis. Moreover, holding precious metals, whether in physical form or book account, results in no income being derived from such holding, unlike securities which may pay dividends or make other current payments. The income derived from trading in precious metals and certain contracts and derivatives relating to precious metals must be closely monitored to avoid potentially negative tax consequences.

The Fund will invest in one or more special-purpose, wholly-owned subsidiaries formed and operated by the Fund to invest directly or indirectly in gold (and to a limited extent other precious metals and commodities).

Although the Fund has contractual protections with respect to the credit risk of their custodian, precious metals held in physical form (even in a segregated account) involves the risk of delay in obtaining the assets in the case of bankruptcy or insolvency of the custodian. This could impair disposition of the assets under those circumstances. Finally, although not currently anticipated, if precious metals in the future were held in book account, it would involve risks of the credit of the party holding the precious metal.

Investments through Subsidiary. The Fund will make investments through a special purpose trading subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”) and may invest up to 25% of their total assets in the Subsidiary.

The Subsidiary is a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Fund, organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company. FEIM also serves as the investment adviser to the Subsidiary and complies with the provisions of the 1940 Act relating to advisory contracts as if it were an investment adviser under Section 2(a)(20) of the 1940 Act. Generally, the Subsidiary will invest in commodities and related instruments, including derivatives (e.g., gold bullion and other precious metals and related futures, and commodities-related derivatives contracts). The Fund will invest in its Subsidiary in order to gain exposure to the commodities markets within the limitations of the federal tax laws, rules and regulations that apply to regulated investment companies. Unlike the Fund, the Subsidiary may invest without limitation in commodities and related instruments, however, the Subsidiary will comply with the same 1940 Act asset coverage requirements with respect to any investments in commodity-linked derivatives that are applicable to the relevant Fund’s transactions in derivatives. In addition, to the extent applicable to the investment activities of a Subsidiary, the Subsidiary will be subject to the same fundamental investment restrictions and will follow the same compliance policies and procedures as the relevant Fund. Compliance with the relevant Fund’s investment restrictions generally will be measured on an aggregate basis in respect of the Fund’s and the Subsidiary’s portfolios. The Subsidiary will comply with the 1940 Act provisions governing affiliate transactions and custody of assets. The Fund is the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary and does not expect shares of the Subsidiary to be offered or sold to other investors. By investing in a Subsidiary, the Fund is indirectly exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiary’s investments. The Subsidiaries are not registered under the 1940 Act and, unless otherwise noted in this SAI, are not subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or a Subsidiary to operate as expected and could adversely affect the Fund.

Currency Exchange Transactions. The Fund may engage in a currency exchange transaction through a forward currency exchange contract (or other cash management position). A currency exchange transaction may be conducted either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate for purchasing or selling currency prevailing in the foreign exchange market or through a forward currency exchange contract (“Forward Contract”) (or other cash management position). A Forward Contract is an agreement to purchase or sell a specified currency at a specified future date (or within a specified time period) at a price set at the time of the contract. Forward Contracts are usually entered into with banks and broker-dealers, are not exchange traded and are usually for less than one year.

Currency exchange transactions may involve currencies of the different countries in which the Fund may invest, and may serve as hedges against possible variations in the exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. dollar. The Fund’s currency transactions may include transaction hedging and portfolio hedging involving either specific transactions or portfolio positions. Transaction hedging is the purchase or sale of a Forward Contract (or other cash management position) with respect to specific payables or receivables of the Fund in connection with the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. Portfolio hedging is the use of a Forward Contract (or other cash management position) with respect to one or more portfolio security positions denominated or quoted in a particular currency. The Fund may engage in portfolio hedging with respect to the currency of a particular country in amounts approximating actual or anticipated positions in securities denominated in that currency. In addition to hedging transactions, the Fund’s currency transactions may include those intended to profit from anticipated currency exchange fluctuations, even if not related to any particular Fund transaction or portfolio position, which can result in losses if such fluctuations do not occur as anticipated.

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If the Fund enters into a Forward Contract, the custodian bank will, to the extent required (i.e., to the extent that the Forward Contract is not otherwise covered), segregate liquid assets of the Fund having a value equal to the Fund’s commitment under such Forward Contract (alternatively, the Fund may “earmark” or otherwise record on its books the designation of such liquid assets as collateral). At the maturity of a Forward Contract to deliver a particular currency, the Fund may either sell the portfolio security related to such contract and make delivery of the currency, or it may retain the security and either acquire the currency on the spot market or terminate its contractual obligation to deliver the currency by purchasing an offsetting contract with the same currency trader obligating it to purchase on the same maturity date the same amount of the currency.

It is impossible to forecast with absolute precision the market value of portfolio securities at the expiration of a Forward Contract. Accordingly, it may be necessary for the Fund to purchase additional currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such purchase) if the market value of the security is less than the amount of currency the Fund is obligated to deliver, and if a decision is made to sell the security and make delivery of the currency. Conversely, it may be necessary to sell on the spot market some of the currency received upon the sale of the portfolio security if its market value exceeds the amount of currency the Fund is obligated to deliver. If the Fund retains the portfolio security and engages in an offsetting transaction, the Fund will incur a gain or a loss to the extent that there has been movement in Forward Contract prices. If the Fund engages in an offsetting transaction, it may subsequently enter into a new Forward Contract to sell the currency. Should forward prices decline during the period between the date the Fund enters into a Forward Contract for the sale of a currency and the date it enters into an offsetting contract for the purchase of the currency, the Fund will realize a gain to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to sell exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase. Should forward prices increase, the Fund will suffer a loss to the extent the price of the currency it has agreed to purchase exceeds the price of the currency it has agreed to sell. A default on the contract would deprive the Fund of unrealized profits or force the Fund to cover its commitments for purchase or sale of currency, if any, at the current market price.

Hedging against a decline in the value of a currency does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of portfolio securities or prevent losses if the prices of such securities decline. Such transactions also preclude the opportunity for gain if the value of the hedged currency should rise. Moreover, it may not be possible for the Fund to hedge against a devaluation that is so generally anticipated that the Fund is not able to contract to sell the currency at a price above the devaluation level it anticipates. The cost to the Fund of engaging in currency exchange transactions varies with such factors as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and prevailing market conditions. Since currency exchange transactions are usually conducted on a principal basis, no fees or commissions are involved.

Loans. The Fund may purchase or sell loans or other direct debt instruments, including loan participations and interests in credit facilities of various types. Investing directly in loans or other direct debt instruments exposes the Fund to various risks similar to those borne by a creditor. Such risks include the risk of default, the risk of delayed repayment, and the risk of inadequate collateral. Investments in loans are also less liquid than investments in publicly traded securities and carry less legal protections in the event of fraud or misrepresentation. Unlike debt instruments that are securities, investments in loans are not regulated by federal securities laws or the SEC. In addition, loan participations involve a risk of insolvency by the lending bank or other financial intermediary. To the extent the Fund invests in a credit facility or other loan commitment under which the lender is obligated to lend monies to the borrower over time or on demand, the Fund could be subject to continuing calls on its assets by the borrower for the duration of the commitment period.

Corporate loans in which the Fund may invest are generally made to finance internal growth, mergers, acquisitions, stock repurchases, leveraged buy-outs and other corporate activities. A significant portion of the corporate loans purchased by the Fund may represent interests in loans made to finance highly leveraged corporate acquisitions, known as “leveraged buy-out” transactions, leveraged recapitalization loans and other types of acquisition financing. The highly leveraged capital structure of the borrowers in such transactions may make such loans especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions. In addition, loans generally are subject to restrictions on transfer, and only limited opportunities may exist to sell such participations in secondary markets. As a result, the Fund may be unable to sell loans at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may be able to sell them only at an unattractive price. The Fund may hold investments in loans for a very short period of time when opportunities to resell the investments that the Adviser believes are attractive arise.

Bank loans in which the Fund may invest include senior secured and unsecured floating rate loans of corporations, partnerships, or other entities. These investments potentially expose the Fund to the credit risk of the underlying

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borrower, and in certain cases, of the financial institution. The Fund’s ability to receive payments in connection with the loan depends primarily on the financial condition of the borrower. Even investments in secured loans present risk, as there is no assurance that the collateral securing the loan will be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligation. Transactions involving bank loans have significantly longer settlement periods (e.g., longer than seven days) than more traditional investments. While the Fund maintains access to a line of credit with a financial institution for short-term credit needs, the sale proceeds related to the sale of loans may not be available to make additional investments or to meet the Fund’s redemption obligations until potentially a substantial period after the sale of the loans. In some instances, other accounts managed by the Adviser or an affiliate may hold other securities issued by borrowers whose loans may be held in the Fund’s portfolio.

With respect to its management of investments in bank loans, the Adviser may seek to avoid receiving material, non-public information (“Confidential Information”) about the issuers of bank loans being considered for acquisition by the Fund or held in the Fund’s portfolio. In many instances, borrowers may offer to furnish Confidential Information to prospective investors, and to holders, of the issuer’s loans. The Adviser’s decision not to receive Confidential Information may place the Adviser at a disadvantage relative to other investors in loans (which could have an adverse effect on the price the Fund pays or receives when buying or selling loans). Also, in instances where holders of loans are asked to grant amendments, waivers or consent, the Adviser’s ability to assess their significance or desirability may be adversely affected. For these and other reasons, it is possible that the Adviser’s decision not to receive Confidential Information could adversely affect the Fund’s investment performance.

The Adviser may from time to time come into possession of material, non-public information about the issuers of loans that may be held in the Fund’s portfolio. Possession of such information may in some instances occur despite the Adviser’s efforts to avoid such possession, but in other instances the Adviser may choose to receive such information (for example, in connection with participation in a creditors’ committee with respect to a financially distressed issuer). As, and to the extent, required by applicable law, the Adviser’s ability to trade in these loans for the account of the Fund could potentially be limited by its possession of such information. Such limitations on the Adviser’s ability to trade could have an adverse effect on the Fund by, for example, preventing the Fund from selling a loan that is experiencing a material decline in value. In some instances, these trading restrictions could continue in effect for a substantial period of time.

In some instances, other accounts managed by the Adviser or an affiliate may hold other securities issued by borrowers whose loans may be held in the Fund’s portfolio. These other securities may include, for example, debt securities that are subordinate to the loans held in the Fund’s portfolio, convertible debt or common or preferred equity securities. In certain circumstances, such as if the credit quality of the issuer deteriorates, the interests of holders of these other securities may conflict with the interests of the holders of the issuer’s loans. In such cases, the Adviser may owe conflicting fiduciary duties to the Fund and other client accounts. The Adviser will endeavor to carry out its obligations to all of its clients to the fullest extent possible, recognizing that in some cases certain clients may achieve a lower economic return, as a result of these conflicting client interests, than if the Adviser’s client accounts collectively held only a single category of the issuer’s securities.

Arbitrage Transactions. The Fund also may engage in arbitrage transactions involving near contemporaneous purchase of securities on one market and sale of those securities on another market to take advantage of pricing differences between markets. The Fund will incur a gain to the extent that proceeds exceed costs and a loss to the extent that costs exceed proceeds. The risk of an arbitrage transaction, therefore, is that the Fund may not be able to sell securities subject to an arbitrage at prices exceeding the costs of purchasing those securities. The Fund will attempt to limit that risk by effecting arbitrage transactions only when the prices of the securities are confirmed in advance of the trade. Unanticipated delays in an arbitrage transaction could cause the Fund to lose money.

Litigation and Enforcement Risk. Companies involved in significant restructuring tend to involve increased litigation risk, including for investors in these companies. This risk may be greater in the event the Fund takes a large position or is otherwise prominently involved. The expense of defending against (or asserting) claims and paying any amounts pursuant to settlements or judgments would be borne by the Fund (directly if it were directly involved or indirectly in the case of claims by or against an underlying company or settlements or judgments paid by an underlying company). Further, ownership of companies over certain threshold levels involves additional filing requirements and substantive regulation on such owners, and if the Fund fails to comply with all of these requirements, the Fund may be forced to disgorge profits, pay fines or otherwise bear losses or other costs from such failure to comply.

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In addition, there have been a number of widely reported instances of violations of securities laws through the misuse of confidential information. Such violations may result in substantial liabilities for damages caused to others, for the disgorgement of profits realized and for penalties. Furthermore, if persons associated with a company in which the Fund invested engages in such violations, the Fund could be exposed to losses.

Securities Issued in PIPE Transactions. The Fund may invest in securities that are purchased in private investment in public equity (“PIPE”) transactions. Securities acquired by the Fund in such transactions are subject to resale restrictions under securities laws. While issuers in PIPE transactions typically agree that they will register the securities for resale by the Fund after the transaction closes (thereby removing resale restrictions), there is no guarantee that the securities will in fact be registered. In addition, a PIPE issuer may require the Fund to agree to other resale restrictions as a condition to the sale of such securities. Thus, the Fund’s ability to resell securities acquired in PIPE transactions may be limited, and even though a public market may exist for such securities, the securities held by the Fund may be deemed illiquid.

Forward-Settled, When-Issued or Delayed-Delivery Securities. The Fund may purchase securities on a “forward-settled,” “when-issued” or “delayed-delivery” basis. Although the payment and interest terms of these securities are established at the time the Fund enters into the commitment, the securities may be delivered and paid for a month or more after the date of purchase, when their value may have changed. The Fund makes such commitments only with the intention of actually acquiring the securities, but may sell the securities before settlement date if the investment adviser deems it advisable for investment reasons.

At the time the Fund enters into a binding obligation to purchase securities on a when-issued basis, liquid assets of the Fund having a value at least as great as the purchase price of the securities to be purchased will be segregated or earmarked on the books of the Fund and held by the custodian throughout the period of the obligation. The use of these investment strategies, as well as any borrowing by the Fund, may increase net asset value fluctuation. Forward-settled, when-issued or delayed-delivery securities are subject to the risk that the security will not be issued or that a counterparty will fail to complete the sale or purchase of the security. If this occurs, the Fund may lose the opportunity to purchase or sell the security at the agreed upon price and may forgo any gain in the security’s price.

Securities purchased on a forward-settled, when-issued or delayed-delivery basis are recorded as assets on the day following the purchase and are marked-to-market daily. The Fund does not intend to purchase such securities for speculative purposes and will make commitments to purchase securities on a forward-settled, when-issued or delayed-delivery basis with the intention of actually acquiring the securities. However, the Fund reserves the right to sell acquired forward-settled, when-issued or delayed-delivery securities before their settlement dates if deemed advisable.

Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may purchase securities and concurrently enter into “repurchase agreements.” A repurchase agreement typically involves a purchase of an investment contract from a selling financial institution such as a bank or broker-dealer, which contract is fully secured by government obligations or other debt securities. The agreement provides that the purchaser will sell the underlying securities back to the institution at a specified price and at a fixed time in the future, not more than seven days from the date of purchase. The difference between the purchase price and the resale price represents the interest earned by the purchase, which is unrelated to the coupon rate or maturity of the purchased security. In the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of the financial institution, the purchaser may be delayed in selling the collateral underlying the repurchase agreement. Further, the law is unsettled regarding the rights of the purchaser if the financial institution which is a party to the repurchase agreement petitions for bankruptcy or otherwise becomes subject to the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Market Liquidity and Counterparty Credit Risks. While the Fund is subject to limitations on its holdings of illiquid securities (see “Restricted and Illiquid Securities” above), the Fund may experience periods of limited liquidity, or a complete lack of liquidity, of certain of its investments, which may cause the Fund to retain investments longer than anticipated or to dispose of assets at a value that is less than anticipated. Recent years witnessed a liquidity and credit crisis of historic proportions that had a domino effect on financial markets and participants worldwide. While instruments correlated to the residential mortgage market were affected first, ultimately market participants holding a broad range of securities, other financial instruments and commodities and commodities contracts were forced to liquidate investments, often at deeply discounted prices, in order to satisfy margin calls (i.e., repay debt), shore up their cash reserves, or for other reasons. Among other effects, the turmoil led certain brokers and other lenders to at times be unwilling or less willing to finance new investments or to only offer financing for investments on less favorable terms than had been prevailing in the recent past. Although the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank, European Central Bank, and other countries’ central banks injected significant liquidity into markets and otherwise made significant funds, guarantees,

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and other accommodations available to certain financial institutions, elevated levels of market stress and volatility and impaired liquidity, funding, and credit persist. Market shifts of this nature may cause unexpectedly rapid losses in the value of the Fund’s positions. It is uncertain how long any liquidity or credit crisis will continue.

Credit risk includes the risk that a counterparty or an issuer of securities or other financial instruments will be unable to meet its contractual obligations and fail to deliver, pay for, or otherwise perform a transaction. Credit risk is incurred when the Fund engages in principal-to-principal transactions outside of regulated exchanges, as well as in transactions on certain exchanges that operate without a clearinghouse or similar credit risk-shifting structure. Recently, several prominent financial market participants have failed or nearly failed to perform their contractual obligations when due—creating a period of great uncertainty in the financial markets, government intervention in certain markets and in certain failing institutions, severe credit and liquidity contractions, early terminations of transactions and related arrangements, and suspended and failed payments and deliveries.

Substantial Ownership Positions. The Fund may accumulate substantial positions in the securities or even gain control of individual companies. At times, the Fund also may seek the right to designate one or more persons to serve on the boards of directors of companies in which they invest. The designation of directors and any other exercise of management or control could expose the assets of the Fund to claims by the underlying company, its security holders and its creditors. Under these circumstances, the Fund might be named as a defendant in a lawsuit or regulatory action. The outcome of such disputes, which may affect the value of the Fund’s positions, may be difficult to anticipate and the possibility of successful claims against the Fund that would require the payout of Fund assets to the claimant(s) cannot be precluded. Substantial ownership positions also may be more difficult or expensive to liquidate. At times regulatory or company-specific requirements may limit or block trading in a company’s securities by those deemed to be company “insiders” (officers, directors and certain large shareholders). These limitations may or may not be related to the possession of a company’s material non-public information.

Borrowing. The Fund may from time to time borrow from banks (other than those affiliated with the Trust or any of its affiliates) to facilitate the meeting of redemption requests or for temporary or emergency purposes and may pledge its assets to secure those borrowings. The Fund may borrow from such banks as a temporary measure in exceptional circumstances (e.g., to facilitate the meeting of redemption requests and prevent the fund from being in an overdraft situation), but the Fund may not pledge its assets to secure those borrowings. In accord with the borrowing rules under the Investment Company Act, any borrowings by the Fund will be made only to the extent that the value of its assets, less its liabilities other than borrowings, is equal to at least 300% of all of its borrowings (including reverse repurchase agreements) computed at the time a loan is made. If the value of the Fund’s assets at any time should fail to meet this 300% asset coverage, described above, the Fund, within three days, is required to reduce its aggregate borrowings (including reverse repurchase agreements) to the extent necessary to meet such asset coverage and may have to sell a portion of its investments at a time when independent investment judgment would not indicate such action.

Structured Notes. The Fund may invest in structured notes, the value of which is linked to currencies, interest rates, other commodities, indices or other financial indicators. Structured securities differ from other types of securities in which the Fund may invest in several respects. For example, the coupon dividend and/or redemption amount at maturity may be increased or decreased depending on changes in the value of the underlying instrument.

Investment in structured securities involves certain risks. In addition to the credit risk of the security’s issuer and the normal risks of price changes in response to changes in interest rates, the redemption amount may decrease as a result of changes in the price of the underlying instrument. Further, in the case of certain structured securities, the coupon and/or dividend may be reduced to zero, and any further declines in the value of the underlying instrument may then reduce the redemption amount payable on maturity. Finally, structured securities may be more volatile than the price of the underlying instrument. (See “Tax Status”).

Lending of Securities. The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and financial institutions, provided outstanding loans do not exceed in the aggregate one-third the value of its total assets and provided that such loans are callable at any time by the Fund and are at all times secured by cash or equivalent collateral that is equal to at least the market value, determined daily, of the loaned securities. The Fund, however, may not enter into portfolio lending arrangements with the Adviser or any of its affiliates absent appropriate regulatory relief from applicable prohibitions contained in the Investment Company Act. The advantage of portfolio lending is that the Fund continues to receive payments in lieu of the interest and dividends of the loaned securities, while at the same time earning interest either directly from the borrower or on the collateral, which may be invested in short-term obligations. As voting or consent rights which accompany loaned securities pass to the borrower, the Fund will follow the policy of calling the

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loan, in whole or in part as may be appropriate, to permit the exercise of such rights if the matters involved would have a material effect on their investment in the securities which are subject to the loan. The Fund will pay reasonable finders’, administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan of securities or may share the interest earned on collateral with the borrower. The Fund does not have a current intention of lending its portfolio securities.

Short Sales. The Fund may engage in short sales, but the Fund may only short “against the box” (meaning they must own the security to be sold short). In doing so, the Fund may be subject to expenses related to short sales that are not typically associated with investing in securities directly, such as borrowing costs, which may negatively impact the Fund’s performance. Further, short positions introduce more risk than long positions, because the maximum sustainable loss on a security purchased (held long) is limited to the amount paid for the security, whereas there is no maximum attainable price of the shorted security. Thus, securities sold short theoretically have unlimited risk (though shorting “against the box” effectively limits loss to the amount paid for the security).

Real Estate and Real Estate Investment Trusts. The Fund may invest in both real estate and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) (but subject to limits on direct real estate investing by the Fund as set out in the Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions). REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs, or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. Like investment companies, REITs are not subject to U.S. federal tax on income distributed to shareholders provided they comply with several requirements in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended (the “Code”). REITs are subject to substantial cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the risk of failing to qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Code, and/or to maintain exemptions from the Investment Company Act. The Fund’s investments in REITs present certain further risks that are unique and in addition to the risks associated with investing directly in the real estate industry in general. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent on management skills, are not diversified, and are subject to the risks of financing projects. REITs whose underlying assets include U.S. long-term healthcare properties, such as nursing, retirement and assisted living homes, may be impacted by U.S. federal regulations concerning the healthcare industry.

The real estate industry has been subject to substantial fluctuations and declines on a local, regional and national basis in the past and may continue to be in the future. Real property values and income from real property may decline due to general and local economic conditions, overbuilding and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in zoning laws, casualty or condemnation losses, regulatory limitations on rents, changes in neighborhoods and in demographics, increases in market interest rates, or other factors. Factors such as these may adversely affect companies that own and operate real estate directly, companies which lend to such companies, and companies which service the real estate industry.

Master Limited Partnerships. The Fund may invest in Master Limited Partnerships (“MLPs”). An MLP is a public limited partnership. Although the characteristics of MLPs closely resemble a traditional limited partnership, a major difference is that MLPs may trade on a public exchange or in the over-the-counter market. The ability to trade on a public exchange or in the over-the-counter market provides a certain amount of liquidity not found in many limited partnership investments. However, MLP interests may be less liquid than conventional publicly traded securities. The risks of investing in an MLP are similar to those of investing in a partnership and include more flexible governance structures, which could result in less protection for the MLP investor than investors in a corporation. Investors in an MLP would normally not be liable for the debts of the MLP beyond the amount that the investor has contributed but investors may not be shielded to the same extent that a shareholder of a corporation would be. The Fund will not be able to claim a deduction of up to 20% of “qualified publicly traded partnership income” generally available to non-corporate shareholders in respect of income allocated to it by any MLPs or other publicly traded partnerships in which it invests. Absent any additional guidance, the law also does not allow non-corporate shareholders to claim a deduction in respect of Fund dividends attributable to any such income.

Oil and Gas Investments. The Fund may invest in oil and gas related assets, including oil royalty trusts that are traded on national securities exchanges (but subject to limits on purchasing and selling physical commodities as set out in the Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions). Oil royalty trusts are income trusts that own or control oil and gas operating companies. Oil royalty trusts pay out substantially all of the cash flow they receive from the production and

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sale of underlying crude oil and natural gas reserves to shareholders (unitholders) in the form of monthly dividends (distributions). As a result of distributing the bulk of their cash flow to unitholders, royalty trusts are effectively precluded from internally originating new oil and gas prospects. Therefore, these royalty trusts typically grow through acquisition of producing companies or those with proven reserves of oil and gas, funded through the issuance of additional equity or, where the trust is able, additional debt. Consequently, oil royalty trusts are considered less exposed to the uncertainties faced by a traditional exploration and production corporation. However, they are still exposed to commodity risk and reserve risk, as well as operating risk.

Value Investment Strategy. An investment made at a perceived “margin of safety” or “discount to intrinsic or fundamental value” can trade at prices substantially lower than when an investment is made, so that any perceived “margin of safety” or “discount to value” is no guarantee against loss. “Value” investments, as a category, or entire industries or sectors associated with such investments, may lose favor with investors as compared to those that are more “growth” oriented. In such an event, the Fund’s investment returns would be expected to lag relative to returns associated with more growth-oriented investment strategies. Investing in or having exposure to “value” securities presents the risk that the securities may never reach what the Adviser believes are their full market values, either because the market fails to recognize what the Adviser considers to be the security’s true value or because the Adviser misjudged that value.

Cyber Security and Information Technology Risk. A breach in cyber security refers to both intentional and unintentional events that may cause the Fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption, or lose operational capacity. The Fund, and its service providers, may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber attacks. Cyber attacks include, among other behaviors, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, denial of service attacks on websites, the unauthorized release of confidential information or various other forms of cyber security breaches. Cyber attacks affecting the Fund or the Adviser, custodian, transfer agent, intermediaries and other third-party service providers may adversely impact the Fund. For instance, cyber attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate its net asset value, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential business information, impede trading, subject the Fund to regulatory fines or financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. The Fund may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management purposes. Similar types of cyber security risks are also present for issuers or securities in which the Fund may invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers and may cause the Fund’s investment in such companies to lose value.

The Fund and its service providers have administrative and technical safeguards in place with respect to information security. Nevertheless, the Fund and its service providers are potentially susceptible to operational and information security risks resulting from a cyber attack as the Fund is highly dependent upon the effective operation of their computer systems and those of their business partners. These risks include, among other things, the theft, misuse, corruption and destruction of data maintained online or digitally, denial of service on websites and other operational disruption and unauthorized release of confidential customer information. Cyber attacks affecting the Fund’s service providers may adversely affect the Fund and its shareholders. For instance, cyber attacks may interfere with the processing of Fund transactions, including the processing of orders, impact the Fund’s ability to calculate net asset values, cause the release and possible destruction of confidential customer or business information, impede trading, subject the Fund and/or its service providers and intermediaries to regulatory fines and financial losses and/or cause reputational damage. Cyber security risks may also affect the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests, which may cause the Fund’s investments to lose value. The Fund may also incur additional costs for cyber security risk management in the future. Although the Fund and its service providers have adopted security procedures to minimize the risk of a cyber attack, there can be no assurance that the Fund or its service providers will avoid losses affecting the Fund due to cyber attacks or information security breaches in the future.

Brexit. The United Kingdom (“UK”) ceased to be a member of the EU on January 31, 2020 (“Brexit”). During a prescribed period (the “Transition Period”), which ended on December 31, 2020, certain transitional arrangements were in effect, such that the UK continued to be treated, in most respects, as if it were still a member of the EU, and generally remained subject to EU law. On December 24, 2020, the EU and the UK reached an agreement in principle on the terms of certain agreements and declarations governing the ongoing relationship between the EU and the UK, including the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (the “Agreement”). The Agreement is limited in its scope primarily to the trade of goods, transport, energy links and fishing; in particular the Agreement does not make any meaningful provision for the financial services sector. Uncertainties remain relating to certain aspects of the UK’s future economic, trading and legal relationships with the EU and with other countries.

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The impact of such events on the Fund is difficult to predict but they may adversely affect the return on the Fund and its investments. There may be detrimental implications for the value of certain of the Fund’s investments, its ability to enter into transactions or to value or realize such investments or otherwise to implement its investment program. It is possible that certain of the Fund’s investments may need to be restructured to enable the Fund’s objectives to be pursued fully. This may increase costs or make it more difficult for the Fund to pursue its investment objectives.

LIBOR. The London Interbank Offered Rate, or “LIBOR,” has historically been the principal floating rate benchmark in the financial markets. However, as a result of longstanding regulatory initiatives, LIBOR is being discontinued. Its discontinuation has affected and will continue to affect the financial markets generally and may also affect the Fund’s operations, finances and investments specifically. The date of discontinuation will vary depending on the LIBOR currency and tenor. In March 2021, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), which is the regulator of the LIBOR administrator, announced that LIBOR settings will cease to be provided by any administrator or will no longer be representative after specified dates, which will be June 30, 2023, in the case of the principal U.S. dollar LIBOR tenors (overnight and one, three, six and 12 month), and December 31, 2021, in all other cases (i.e., one week and two month U.S. dollar LIBOR and all tenors of non-U.S. dollar LIBOR). Thus, many existing LIBOR contracts will transition to another benchmark after June 30, 2023 or, in some cases, after December 31, 2021. For some existing LIBOR-based obligations, the contractual consequences of the discontinuation of LIBOR may not be clear. In the United States, there have been various efforts to identify a set of alternative reference interest rates for U.S. dollar LIBOR. The market has generally coalesced around recommendations from the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (the “ARRC”) convened by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The ARRC has recommended that U.S. dollar LIBOR be replaced by rates based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus, in the case of existing LIBOR contracts and obligations, a spread adjustment. As a consequence of the FCA announcement described above (and a related announcement from the LIBOR administrator), the spread adjustments for different tenors of U.S. dollar LIBOR have been set. The FCA and certain U.S. regulators have emphasized that, despite expected publication of U.S. dollar LIBOR through June 30, 2023, no new contracts using U.S. dollar LIBOR should be entered into after December 31, 2021 and that, for certain purposes, market participants should transition away from U.S. dollar LIBOR sooner. Although the foregoing reflects the likely timing and certain details and consequences of the LIBOR discontinuation, there is no assurance that LIBOR, of any particular currency and tenor, will continue to be published until any particular date or in any particular form. Financial markets, particularly the trading market for LIBOR-based obligations, may be adversely affected by the discontinuation of LIBOR, the remaining uncertainties regarding its discontinuation, the alternative reference rates that will be used when LIBOR is discontinued (including SOFR-based rates) and other reforms related to LIBOR. There is no assurance that SOFR-based rates, as modified by an applicable spread adjustment, will be the economic equivalent of U.S. dollar LIBOR. SOFR-based rates will differ from U.S. dollar LIBOR, and the differences may be material. As a result of the LIBOR discontinuation, the Fund’s performance or net asset value may be adversely affected. In addition, SOFR-based rates or other alternative reference rates may be an ineffective substitute for LIBOR, resulting in prolonged adverse market conditions for the Fund.

In the United States, there have been legislative efforts to address certain aspects of the LIBOR discontinuation. A New York Law, in effect since April 6, 2021, addresses a broad range of New York law-governed obligations (referred to in the law as contracts, securities and instruments) that have interest rates or dividend rates determined by reference to U.S. dollar LIBOR. The law applies to an obligation of that kind if it (i) has no “fallback” rate provisions or (ii) has certain “fallback” rate provisions but such provisions, in effect, will not operate as intended once U.S. dollar LIBOR is discontinued. The law provides for, among other things, two basic adjustments to such obligations (to take effect when U.S. dollar LIBOR is discontinued). One adjustment results in automatic replacement of U.S. dollar LIBOR by the “recommended benchmark replacement,” which is expected to be based on SOFR. The other adjustment applies to an obligation that has a “determining person” (generally, a trustee, a calculation agent or a person acting in a similar capacity), and it results in replacement of U.S. dollar LIBOR by the recommended benchmark replacement, as selected by the determining person. Proposed federal legislation, if enacted as proposed, would have a similar effect; as proposed, the legislation would likely preempt any similar state LIBOR law, including the New York law.

SOFR. SOFR is intended to be a broad measure of the cost of borrowing funds overnight in transactions that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities. SOFR is calculated based on transaction-level repo data collected from various sources. For each trading day, SOFR is calculated as a volume-weighted median rate, by ordering the relevant transactions from lowest to highest rate, taking the cumulative sum of volumes of these transactions and identifying the rate associated with the trades at the 50th percentile of dollar volume.

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SOFR is calculated and published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (“FRBNY”). If data from a given source required by the FRBNY to calculate SOFR is unavailable for any day, then the most recently available data for that segment will be used, with certain adjustments. If errors are discovered in the transaction data or the calculations underlying SOFR after its initial publication on a given day, SOFR may be republished at a later time that day. Rate revisions will be effected only on the day of initial publication and will be republished only if the change in the rate exceeds one basis point.

Because SOFR is a financing rate based on overnight secured funding transactions, it differs fundamentally from LIBOR. LIBOR is intended to be an unsecured rate that represents interbank funding costs for different short-term maturities or “tenors.” It is a forward-looking rate reflecting expectations regarding interest rates for those tenors. Thus, LIBOR is intended to be sensitive, in certain respects, to bank credit risk and to term interest rate risk. In contrast, SOFR is a secured overnight rate reflecting the credit of U.S. Treasury securities as collateral. Thus, it is largely insensitive to credit-risk considerations and to short-term interest rate risks. SOFR is a transaction-based rate, and it has been more volatile than other benchmark or market rates, such as three-month LIBOR, during certain periods. For these reasons, among others, there is no assurance that SOFR, or rates derived from SOFR, will perform in the same or similar way as LIBOR would have performed at any time, and there is no assurance that SOFR-based rates will be a suitable substitute for LIBOR. SOFR has a limited history, having been first published in April 2018. The future performance of SOFR, and SOFR-based reference rates, cannot be predicted based on SOFR’s history or otherwise. Levels of SOFR in the future, including following the discontinuation of LIBOR, may bear little or no relation to historical levels of SOFR, LIBOR or other rates.

Recent Market Conditions and Events. Stresses associated with the 2008 financial crisis in the United States and global economies peaked approximately a decade ago. But periods of unusually high volatility in the financial markets and restrictive credit conditions, sometimes limited to a particular sector or a geography, continue to recur. Some countries, including the United States, have adopted and/or are considering the adoption of more protectionist trade policies, a move away from the tighter financial industry regulations that followed the financial crisis, and/or substantially reducing corporate taxes. The exact shape of these policies is still being considered, but the equity and debt markets may react strongly to expectations of change, which could increase volatility, especially if the market’s expectations are not borne out. A rise in protectionist trade policies, and the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, could affect the economies of many nations in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. Additionally, economic or other sanctions imposed on the United States by a foreign country, or imposed on a foreign country or issuer by the United States, could impair the Fund’s ability to buy, sell, hold, receive, deliver, or otherwise transact in certain investment securities. Sanctions could also affect the value and/or liquidity of a foreign security. Geopolitical and other risks, including environmental and public health, may also add to instability in world economies and markets generally.

An outbreak of COVID-19 (sometimes referred to as the “coronavirus”) has spread globally. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in, among other things, closing borders, enhanced health screenings, healthcare service preparation and delivery, quarantines, cancellations, unprecedented levels of high unemployment, disruptions to supply chains and customer activity, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of COVID-19, and other epidemics and pandemics that may arise in the future, has affected and may continue to affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global markets, including liquidity, in general in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time. The impact of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in developing or emerging market countries may be greater for a variety of reasons. Public health crises, including those caused by COVID-19, may exacerbate pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries. The impact may last for an extended period of time. Governments and central banks have moved to limit the negative economic effects with interventions of unprecedented size and scope and may continue to do so. The impacts of these efforts is uncertain.

Automobile Industry Risk. The automobile industry can be highly cyclical and companies in the sector may experience periodic losses. Companies in the automobile industry may be affected by labor relations and shortages, as well as changing component prices. Although many major automobile manufacturers are diversified and generally financially strong, other automobile companies are smaller and less diversified in terms of products and consumer base. Technological developments in the automobile industry (e.g., autonomous vehicles) may require companies expend a large amount of capital, with no guarantee of profits. Automobile companies are also subject to significant governmental regulation involving imports and exports of components, which may affect the profitability of such companies. Compliance with environmental laws and regulations may also negatively affect the value of automobile

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companies. The automobile industry may have a greater exposure to a single factor, such as an increase in the price of oil, which may adversely affect the sale of automobiles and, as a result, the value of the industry’s securities.

Consumer Staples Sector Risk. The securities of companies in the consumer staples sector are susceptible to many risks due to their historic link to the performance of the economy as a whole. Specific risks to this sector may include changes to disposable income, product marketing, changing consumer tastes and trends, and industry competition. The consumer staples industry depends on the supply of, demand for and prices of commodities and raw materials. Any volatility in those sectors may have a negative effect on the consumer staples sector. Additionally, the performance of food, beverage, household good and consumer good companies may be greatly affected by unpredictable factors, such as consumer tastes and general societal trends.

Energy Risk. Energy companies in which the Fund may invest include companies in the discovery, development, production or distribution of energy or other natural resources, the development of technologies for the production of efficient use of energy and other natural resources, or the furnishing of related supplies and/or services. Companies in the energy industry may be significantly affected by volatile energy prices and supply and demand of energy fuels, conservation efforts, energy exploration and production, government regulation, weather or natural disasters and global events. Energy companies may also operate in, or do business in, countries with less developed regulatory regimes or countries with a history of expropriation, nationalization or other adverse policies. Because of this, the securities of energy companies can be very volatile. Energy companies may also have high levels of debt, making them more likely to restructure their businesses if there are market downturns in the energy sector or in the market as a whole.

Environmental and Climate Risks. Assets of companies in which the Fund invests may be affected by environmental conditions and climate change patterns. Certain geographic regions may be exposed to adverse weather conditions, including natural disasters and extreme weather events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, wildfires, droughts, heat waves and rising sea levels. These disasters, and the resulting damage, may have a severe and negative effect on the investments of the Fund. Extreme weather patterns may also have a negative impact on issuers in the agricultural, commodity and natural resources sector.

Climate change may increase the frequency and intensity of extreme weather conditions, which may result in significant economic disruption. The future of climate change is challenging to anticipate, but may include fluctuation in demand for certain goods and resources, supply chain disruption, increased regulations, changes in property values and availability of natural resources.

Healthcare Sector Risk. Companies in the healthcare industry include companies that manufacture health care supplies, provide healthcare related-services, or manage healthcare facilities. These securities of these companies may be negatively affected by regulatory policies regarding new devices and pharmaceuticals, technological advances that render existing products and services obsolete, as well as legislative changes to health insurance coverage and costs, as well as the funding of public health programs.

Infrastructure Risk. Infrastructure companies may be subject to a variety of factors that may adversely affect their business or operations, including high interest costs in connection with capital construction programs, high leverage, costs associated with environmental and other regulations, the effects of economic slowdown, surplus capacity, increased competition from other providers of services, uncertainties concerning the availability of fuel at reasonable prices, the effects of energy conservation policies and other factors.

Other factors that may affect the operations of infrastructure companies include difficulty in raising capital in adequate amounts on reasonable terms in periods of high inflation and unsettled capital markets, inexperience with and potential losses resulting from a developing deregulatory environment, increased susceptibility to terrorist acts or political actions, and general changes in market sentiment towards infrastructure assets. In addition, the current presidential administration could significantly impact the regulation of U.S. financial markets and dramatically alter existing trade, tax, energy and infrastructure regulations, among others. It is not possible to predict what, if any, changes will be made or their potential effect on the economy, securities markets, or financial stability of the United States, or on the energy, natural resources, infrastructure and other markets.

Inflation/Deflation Risk. Although the Fund is intended to provide a measure of protection against inflation, it is possible it will not do so to the extent intended. There is no guarantee that real assets will perform better than a broader equity portfolio during times of rising or high inflation. The Fund’s investments may be adversely affected to a greater extent than other investments during periods of deflation when asset prices decrease over time across the economy.

27


 

Inflation-Linked Fixed Income Securities. The Fund may invest in inflation-linked fixed income securities. Inflation-linked fixed income securities are securities that have a principal value that is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. If an index measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed fixed income securities will typically be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. In the case of Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, also known as TIPS, repayment of original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury. The market for TIPS may be less developed or liquid, and more volatile, than certain other securities markets. There can be no assurance that the inflation index used in these securities (i.e., the Consumer Price Index) will accurately measure the real rate of inflation. For inflation-linked fixed income securities that do not provide a similar guarantee, the adjusted principal value of the inflation-linked bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.

Such fixed income securities may also be issued by or related to sovereign governments of developed countries, by countries deemed to be emerging markets, and inflation-linked fixed income securities issued by or related to companies or other entities not affiliated with governments. Because of their inflation adjustment feature, inflation-linked fixed income securities typically have lower yields than conventional fixed-rate fixed income securities. In addition, inflation-linked fixed income securities also normally decline in price when real interest rates rise. In the event of deflation, in which prices decline over time, the principal and income of inflation-linked fixed income securities would likely decline, resulting in losses to the Fund.

Natural Resources Risk. The Fund’s investments in natural resources securities involve risks. The market value of natural resources securities may be affected by numerous factors, including events occurring in nature, inflationary pressures and international politics. Because the Fund invests significantly in natural resources securities, there is the risk that the Fund will perform poorly during a downturn in the natural resource sector. For example, events occurring in nature (such as earthquakes or fires in prime natural resource areas) and political events (such as coups, military confrontations or acts of terrorism) can affect the overall supply of a natural resource and the value of companies involved in such natural resource. Political risks and the other risks to which foreign securities are subject may also affect domestic natural resource companies if they have significant operations or investments in foreign countries. Rising interest rates and general economic conditions may also affect the demand for natural resources. A downturn in the energy and natural resources industries would have a larger impact on the Fund than on an investment company that does not concentrate in such companies. Energy companies can be significantly affected by the supply of and demand for specific products and services, the supply of and demand for oil and gas, the price of oil and gas, exploration and production spending, government regulation, world events and economic conditions. Natural resource companies can be significantly affected by events relating to international political developments, energy conservation, the success of exploration projects, commodity prices and tax and government regulations. At times, the performance of securities of energy and natural resources companies will lag the performance of other industries or the broader market as a whole

Telecommunications Industry Risk. Companies in the telecommunications industry include both companies that develop, manufacture or sell communications services and/or equipment or provide communications services, such as cable television, satellite tv, radio, or telephone. These companies are subject to the risk of government regulation and scrutiny, including regarding the prices charged to consumers, as well as the services that they may provide. These companies are also subject to the risk of rapid obsolescence due to changing consumer preferences, industry competition and technological innovation.

Utilities Industry Risk. Risks that are intrinsic to the utility industries include difficulty in obtaining an adequate return on invested capital, difficulty in financing large construction programs during an inflationary period, restrictions on operations and increased cost and delays attributable to environmental considerations and regulation, difficulty in raising capital in adequate amounts on reasonable terms in periods of high inflation and unsettled capital markets, technological innovations that may render existing plants, equipment or products obsolete, the potential impact of natural or man-made disasters, increased costs and reduced availability of certain types of fuel, occasional reduced availability and high costs of natural gas for resale, the effects of energy conservation, the effects of a national energy policy and lengthy delays and greatly increased costs and other problems associated with the design, construction, licensing, regulation and operation of nuclear facilities for electric generation, including, among other considerations, the problems associated with the use of radioactive materials and the disposal of radioactive wastes. There are substantial differences among the regulatory practices and policies of various jurisdictions, and any given regulatory agency may make major shifts in policy from time to time. There is no assurance that regulatory authorities will, in the future, grant rate increases or that such increases will be adequate to permit the payment of dividends on common stocks issued by a

28


 

utility company. Additionally, existing and possible future regulatory legislation may make it even more difficult for utilities to obtain adequate relief. Certain of the issuers of securities held in the Fund’s portfolio may own or operate nuclear generating facilities. Governmental authorities may from time to time review existing policies and impose additional requirements governing the licensing, construction and operation of nuclear power plants. Prolonged changes in climatic conditions can also have a significant impact on both the revenues of an electric and gas utility as well as the expenses of a utility, particularly a hydro-based electric utility.

Utility companies in the United States and in foreign countries are generally subject to regulation. In the United States, most utility companies are regulated by state and/or federal authorities. Such regulation is intended to ensure appropriate standards of service and adequate capacity to meet public demand. Generally, prices are also regulated in the United States and in foreign countries with the intention of protecting the public while ensuring that the rate of return earned by utility companies is sufficient to allow them to attract capital in order to grow and continue to provide appropriate services. There can be no assurance that such pricing policies or rates of return will continue in the future.

The nature of regulation of the utility industries continues to evolve both in the United States and in foreign countries. In recent years, changes in regulation in the United States increasingly have allowed utility companies to provide services and products outside their traditional geographic areas and lines of business, creating new areas of competition within the industries. In some instances, utility companies are operating on an unregulated basis. Because of trends toward deregulation and the evolution of independent power producers as well as new entrants to the field of telecommunications, non-regulated providers of utility services have become a significant part of their respective industries. Reduced profitability, as well as new uses of funds (such as for expansion, operations or stock buybacks) could result in cuts in dividend payout rates.

Real Assets Companies Risk. The Fund will invest in companies operating in various industries related to real assets. To the extent there is a downturn in one or more of these industries, there would be a larger impact on the Fund than if the Fund’s portfolio were more broadly diversified. Factors that may affect these industries include, but are not limited to, government regulation or deregulation, energy conservation and supply/demand, raw material prices, commodities regulation, cost of transport, cost of labor, interest rates, and broad economic developments such as growth or contraction in different markets, currency valuation changes and central bank movements.

Change of Investment Objective

The investment objective of the Fund is not a fundamental policy and, accordingly, may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified a minimum of 60 days in advance of any change in investment objective. Shareholder approval also is required to change any Fund policy that is listed as “fundamental” below. Generally, the required shareholder vote is specified by the 1940 Act as a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities, which means for purposes of the Act (A) a vote of 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting of shareholders where at least 50% of the total outstanding voting securities are present at the meeting, or (B) a vote of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities, whichever is less. Portions of the Fund’s fundamental investment restrictions provide the Fund with flexibility to change its limitations in connection with changes in applicable law, rules, regulations or exemptive relief. The language used in these restrictions provides the necessary flexibility to allow the Board of Trustees to respond efficiently to these kinds of developments without the delay and expense of a shareholder meeting.

Investment Restrictions of the Fund

The following investment restrictions are fundamental policies. The Fund will not:

 

1.

 

Change its sub-classification under the Investment Company Act from diversified to non-diversified;

 

2.

 

Borrow money or issue senior securities, as defined for purposes of the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions, except as permitted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions;

 

3.

 

Underwrite the securities of other issuers. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from engaging in transactions involving the acquisition, disposition or resale of its portfolio securities, regardless of whether the Fund may be considered to be an underwriter under the 1933 Act. In addition, the Fund may acquire “restricted” securities which in the event of a resale, might be required to be registered under the 1933 Act,

29


 

 

 

 

notwithstanding that the Fund could be regarded as an underwriter with respect to the 1933 Act and such resale;

 

4.

 

Make investments that will result in the concentration (as that term may be defined or interpreted by the 1940 Act, Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions) of its investments in the securities of issuers primarily engaged in the same industry. This restriction does not limit the Fund’s investments in (i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, (ii) tax-exempt obligations issued by governments or political subdivisions of governments or (iii) repurchase agreements collateralized by such obligations. In complying with this restriction, the Fund will not consider a bank-issued guaranty or financial guaranty insurance as a separate security. Additionally, for purposes of this restriction, and by way of additional example, utilities will be divided according to their services, e.g., gas, gas transmission, and coal will all be considered separate industries;

 

5.

 

Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from investing in issuers that invest, deal or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein, or investing in securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein. Nor will this restriction prohibit purchases or sales of tradeable or similarly efficient transactions in interests in real estate;

 

6.

 

Purchase or sell physical commodities except as permitted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions; and

 

7.

 

Make loans except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions. This restriction does not prevent the Fund from, among other things, purchasing debt obligations, entering repurchase agreements, loaning its assets to broker-dealers or institutional investors or investing in loans, including assignments and participation interests.

For purposes of investment restriction 2 above, Section 18(f)(1) of the 1940 Act prohibits an open-end investment company from issuing any class of senior security, or selling any class of senior security of which it is the issuer, except that the investment company may borrow from a bank provided that immediately after any such borrowing there is asset coverage of at least 300% for all of its borrowings. The SEC has taken the position that certain instruments that create future obligations may be considered senior securities subject to provisions of the 1940 Act that limit the ability of investment companies to issue senior securities. Common examples include reverse repurchase agreements, short sales, futures and options positions, forward contracts and when-issued securities. However, the SEC has clarified that, if a fund segregates cash or liquid securities sufficient to cover such obligations or holds off-setting positions (or, in some cases, uses a combination of such strategies), the SEC will not raise senior securities issues under the 1940 Act.

With respect to fundamental investment restriction 6 above, there are at present no restrictions on investments in commodities under the 1940 Act. Certain limitations relating to the tax treatment of investments in physical commodities and other assets that do not constitute securities are further described in the “Tax Status” section of this Statement of Additional Information. There also can be regulatory requirements for the Fund or the Fund’s investment adviser imposed by the Commodity Exchange Act and the rules under that Act. At present, the Fund intends to operate so that exemptions from registration under that Act will be available.

For purposes of investment restriction 7 above, generally, the 1940 Act prohibits loans if a fund’s investment policies do not permit loans, and if the loans are made, directly or indirectly, to persons deemed to control or to be under common control with the fund.

The foregoing limitations will apply at the time of purchase of a security. Several of these fundamental investment restrictions include the defined terms “1940 Act Laws, Interpretations and Exemptions.” This term means the Investment Company Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, as such statute, rules and regulations are amended from time to time or are interpreted from time to time by the staff of the SEC and any exemptive order or similar relief granted to a Fund.

Performance

Total Return. From time to time, the Fund advertises its average annual total returns. Returns may be calculated both on a before-tax and an after-tax basis (and are so presented in the Prospectus with respect to the Fund’s largest and/or oldest share class). Returns are based on past performance and are not an indication of future performance.

30


 

Unless otherwise noted, results shown will reflect any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements in effect during the periods presented. As noted above, returns may also be calculated on certain after-tax bases under similar assumptions and using similar formulae as specified by the SEC. For example, returns may be calculated after taxes on distributions, which assume reinvestment of the amount of any distributions less applicable taxes on such distributions. Returns may also be calculated after taxes on distributions and the sale (redemption) of Fund shares. After-tax returns assume the highest individual federal income tax rate for each year included in the calculation. The effect of applicable tax credits, such as the foreign tax credit, is taken into account in accordance with federal tax law. Such returns do not reflect the effect of state and local taxes, nor do they reflect the phase-outs of certain federal exemptions, deductions, and credits at various income levels, or the impact of the federal alternative minimum tax. In addition, actual after-tax returns depend on each investor’s individual tax situation, which may differ from the returns presented. For instance, after-tax returns are not relevant to investors who hold their funds in tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”).

Historical performance results are not yet available as the Fund is newly organized.

Comparison of Portfolio Performance. From time to time the Trust may discuss in sales literature and advertisements, specific performance grades or rankings or other information as published by recognized mutual fund statistical services, such as Morningstar, Inc. or Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., or by publications of general interest such as Barron’s, Business Week, Forbes, Fortune, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Money, Morningstar Mutual Funds, The Wall Street Journal or Worth. Criteria associated with the performance grades or rankings may vary widely. Any given performance grade or ranking should not be considered representative of a Fund’s performance for any future period.

Portfolio Turnover. Purchases and sales of portfolio instruments will be made whenever appropriate, in the investment adviser’s view, to achieve the Fund’s investment objective. The rate of portfolio turnover is calculated by dividing the lesser of the cost of purchases or the proceeds from sales of portfolio instruments (excluding short-term U.S. government obligations and other short-term investments) for the particular fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio instruments (excluding short-term U.S. government obligations and short-term investments) owned by the Fund during the particular fiscal year. Although higher portfolio turnover rates are likely to result in higher brokerage commissions paid by the Fund, higher levels of realized capital gains and more short-term capital gain (taxable to individuals at ordinary income tax rates) than lower portfolio turnover rates, portfolio turnover is not a limiting factor when management deems portfolio changes appropriate to achieve the Fund’s stated objective.

31


 

MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST

The business of the Trust is managed by its Board of Trustees, which elects officers responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fund and for the execution of the policies formulated by the Board of Trustees.

Pertinent information regarding the members of the Board of Trustees and principal officers of the Trust is set forth below. Some of the Trustees and officers are employees of the Adviser and its affiliates. At least a majority of the Trust’s Board of Trustees are not “interested persons” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act.

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name, Address and Date of Birth

 

Position(s)
Held with the
Trust

 

Term of
Office
(2)
and Length
of Time
Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five (5) Years

 

Number of
Portfolios
in the Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

 

Other
Directorships/
Trusteeships
Held by Trustee
During Past
Five (5) Years

Lisa Anderson
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born October 1950)

 

Trustee

 

December 2005 to present

 

Special Lecturer and James T. Shotwell Professor of International Relations Emerita at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs; prior to January 2016, President of the American University in Cairo

 

10

 

Trustee, First Eagle Variable Funds (1 portfolio); Member Emerita, Human Rights Watch; Member, Advisory Board, School of Public Affairs, Sciences Po (Institute of Political Studies), Paris; Trustee, Hertie School of Governance (Berlin); Trustee, Tufts University; Trustee, Aga Khan University

Candace K. Beinecke
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born November 1946)

 

Trustee (Chair)

 

December 1999 to present(3)

 

Senior Partner, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP; prior to April 2017, Chair, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP

 

11

 

Trustee, First Eagle Variable Funds (Chair) (1 portfolio); Trustee, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund (Chair); Board Member, ViacomCBS Inc.; Lead Trustee Vornado Realty Trust; Trustee, Co-Chair, Metropolitan Museum of Art; Trustee, Chairman, The Wallace Foundation; Director, Partnership for New York City

Peter W. Davidson
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born May 1959)

 

Trustee

 

December 2019 to present

 

Chief Executive Officer, Aligned Climate Capital LLC; prior to January 2019, Chief Executive Officer, Aligned Intermediary; prior to June 2015, Executive Director of the Loan Program Office at the U.S. Department of Energy

 

10

 

Trustee, First Eagle Variable Funds (1 portfolio); Director, Envision Solar International Inc.; Chairman, Summit Ridge Energy; Member, Council on Foreign Relations; Chairman, JM Kaplan Fund; Trustee, St. Ann’s School; Chairman, Greenwood Cemetery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name, Address and Date of Birth

 

Position(s)
Held with the
Trust

 

Term of
Office
(2)
and Length
of Time
Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five (5) Years

 

Number of
Portfolios
in the Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

 

Other
Directorships/
Trusteeships
Held by Trustee
During Past
Five (5) Years

Jean D. Hamilton
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born January 1947)

 

Trustee

 

March 2003 to present

 

Private Investor/Independent Consultant/Member, Brock Capital Group LLC

 

11

 

Trustee, First Eagle Variable Funds (1 portfolio); Trustee, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund; Director, RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd; Chairman, Investment Committee, Thomas Cole National Historic Site; Member, Investment Advisory Committee, Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation; prior to June 2012, Director, Four Nations

 

 

(1)

 

Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as defined in the Investment Company Act.

 

(2)

 

The term of office of each Independent Trustee is indefinite.

 

(3)

 

Ms. Beinecke also served as a trustee of a predecessor fund to the First Eagle Fund of America since 1996.

33


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name, Address and Date of Birth

 

Position(s)
Held with
the Trust

 

Term of
Office
(1)
and Length of
Time Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five (5) Years

 

Number of
Portfolios
in the Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

 

Other
Directorships/
Trusteeships
Held by Trustee
During Past
Five (5) Years

James E. Jordan
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born April 1944)

 

Trustee

 

December 1999 to present

 

Private Investor and Independent Consultant

 

10

 

Trustee, First Eagle Variable Funds (1 portfolio); Director, JZ Capital Partners, Plc. (Guernsey investment trust company); Director, Alpha Andromeda Investment Trust Co., S.A.; Board of Overseers, Gennadias Library, American School of Classical Studies at Athens; Director, Pro Natura de Yucatan; prior to May 2017, Trustee, World Monuments Fund

William M. Kelly
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born February 1944)

 

Trustee

 

December 1999 to present(2)

 

Private Investor

 

10

 

Trustee, First Eagle Variable Funds (1 portfolio); Trustee Emeritus, St. Anselm College; Vice President and Director, Sergei S. Zlinkoff Fund for Medical Research and Education; Savannah Book Festival Investment Committee

Paul J. Lawler
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born May 1948)

 

Trustee

 

March 2002 to present

 

Private Investor

 

10

 

Trustee, First Eagle Variable Funds (1 portfolio); Trustee and Audit Chair, The American University in Cairo; Trustee, registered investment company advised by affiliates of Blackstone Inc. (1 portfolio); Director, Historic Eastfield Foundation

 

 

 

(1)

 

The term of office of each Independent Trustee is indefinite.

 

(2)

 

Mr. Kelly also served as a trustee of a predecessor fund to Fund of America since 1998.

34


 

INTERESTED TRUSTEES(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name, Address and Date of Birth

 

Position(s)
Held with
the Trust

 

Term of
Office
(2)
and Length
of Time
Served

 

Principal
Occupation(s)
During Past Five (5) Years

 

Number of
Portfolios
in the Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustee

 

Other
Directorships/
Trusteeships
Held by Trustee
During Past
Five (5) Years

John P. Arnhold
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born December 1953)

 

Trustee

 

December 1999 to present

 

Director, First Eagle Holdings, Inc.; Managing Member, Arnhold LLC; prior to July 2017, Director, First Eagle Investment Management LLC; President, First Eagle Funds; President, First Eagle Variable Funds; Director, FEF Distributors, LLC; prior to March 2016, Co-President and Co-CEO First Eagle Holdings, Inc.; CIO and Chairman, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; CEO and Chairman, FEF Distributors, LLC

 

10

 

Trustee, First Eagle Variable Funds (1 portfolio); Chairman and Director, Arnhold Ceramics; Director, The Arnhold Foundation; Director, The Mulago Foundation; Director, WNET.org; Trustee Emeritus, Trinity Episcopal Schools Corp.; Trustee, Jazz at Lincoln Center; Life Trustee, International Tennis Hall of Fame; Advisor, Investment Committee of the USTA; Managing Member, New Eagle Holdings Management Company, LLC; Trustee, UC Santa Barbara Foundation; Director, Conservation International; prior to January 2018, Director, First Eagle Amundi; prior to June 2016, Trustee, Vassar College

Mehdi Mahmud
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born September 1972)

 

Trustee

 

September 2019 to present

 

President and Chief Executive Officer, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; President, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds; Chief Executive Officer, First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC; prior to March 2016, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jennison Associates LLC

 

11

 

Trustee, First Eagle Variable Funds (1 portfolio); Trustee, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund; Director, First Eagle Amundi; Director, Third Point Reinsurance Ltd.

 

 

(1)

 

Each of Messrs. Arnhold and Mahmud is treated as an Interested Trustee because of the professional roles each holds or has held with the Adviser.

 

(2)

 

The term of office of each Interested Trustee is indefinite.

35


 

OFFICERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name, Address and Date of Birth

 

Position(s)
Held with
the Trust

 

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served
(1)

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five (5) Years

Mehdi Mahmud
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born September 1972)

 

President

 

June 2017 to present

 

President and Chief Executive Officer, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; President, First Eagle Variable Funds; President, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund; Director, First Eagle Amundi; Chief Executive Officer, First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC; prior to March 2016, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jennison Associates LLC

Robert Bruno
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born June 1964)

 

Senior Vice President

 

December 1999 to present

 

Senior Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; President, FEF Distributors, LLC; Senior Vice President, First Eagle Variable Funds; Senior Vice President, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund

Joseph Malone
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born September 1967)

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

September 2008 to present

 

Senior Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; Chief Financial Officer, First Eagle Variable Funds; Chief Financial Officer, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund

Albert Pisano
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born April 1960)

 

Chief Compliance Officer

 

July 2015 to present

 

Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; Chief Compliance Officer, First Eagle Variable Funds; Chief Compliance Officer, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund; prior to June 2014, Director and Chief Compliance Officer of Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC, and also served as Deputy Chief Compliance Officer for Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC

David O’Connor
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born February 1966)

 

General Counsel

 

December 2017 to present

 

General Counsel and Senior Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; General Counsel, First Eagle Variable Funds; General Counsel, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund; General Counsel, First Eagle Holdings, Inc.; Secretary and General Counsel, FEF Distributors, LLC; Director, First Eagle Amundi; Director, First Eagle Investment Management, Ltd; Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC; prior to January 2017, Investment Management Consultant

Sheelyn Michael
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born September 1971)

 

Secretary and Deputy General Counsel

 

December 2017 to present (Deputy General Counsel); December 2018 to present (Secretary)

 

Deputy General Counsel and Senior Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; Secretary and Deputy General Counsel, First Eagle Variable Funds; Secretary and Deputy General Counsel, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund; Director, First Eagle Investment Management, Ltd

36


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name, Address and Date of Birth

 

Position(s)
Held with
the Trust

 

Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served
(1)

 

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past Five (5) Years

Tricia Larkin
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born July 1979)

 

Treasurer

 

March 2016 to present

 

Senior Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; Treasurer, First Eagle Variable Funds; Treasurer, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund; prior to March 2016, Vice President of Fund Administration, State Street Corporation

Thomas Meyer
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born March 1982)

 

Assistant Treasurer

 

April 2018 to present

 

Assistant Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; Assistant Treasurer, First Eagle Variable Funds; Assistant Treasurer, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund; prior to September 2017, Assurance Manager, PwC LLP

Michael Luzzatto
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105
(born April 1977)

 

Vice President

 

December 2004 to present

 

Senior Vice President, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC; Vice President, FEF Distributors, LLC; Vice President, First Eagle Variable Funds; Vice President, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund

 

 

(1)

 

The term of office of each officer is indefinite. Length of time served represents time served as an officer of the Trust (or its predecessor entities), although various positions may have been held during the period.

37


 

The following table describes the standing committees of the Board of Trustees of the Trust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Committee Name

 

Members

 

Function(s)

 

Number of Committee
Meetings in the Last
Fiscal Year

Audit Committee

 

Jean D. Hamilton
William M. Kelly
Paul J. Lawler (Chair)

 

Reviews the contract between the Trust and its independent registered public accounting firm (in this regard, assists the Board in selecting the independent registered public accounting firm and is responsible for overseeing that firm’s compensation and performance); oversees the audit process, including audit plans; oversees the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies, procedures and internal controls and acts as liaison to the independent registered public accounting firm; reviews financial statements contained in reports to regulators and shareholders with fund management and the independent registered public accounting firm; reviews and, as appropriate, approves in advance non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to the Trust, the Adviser, and, in certain cases, other affiliates of the Trust.

 

4

38


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Committee Name

 

Members

 

Function(s)

 

Number of Committee
Meetings in the Last
Fiscal Year

Nominating and Governance Committee

 

Lisa Anderson
Candace K. Beinecke (Chair)
James E. Jordan

 

Nominates new Independent Trustees of the Trust. (The Nominating and Governance Committee does not consider shareholder recommendations.) Considers various matters relating to the governance and operations of the Board of Trustees, including committee structure and Trustee compensation. Additionally, the Nominating and Governance Committee includes a sub- committee responsible for administering the Trustees’ deferred compensation plan.

 

2

Board Valuation and Liquidity Committee

 

John P. Arnhold
Jean D. Hamilton (Chair)
William M. Kelly

 

Monitors the execution of the valuation procedures, makes certain determinations in accordance with such procedures, and assists the Board in its oversight of the valuation of the Fund’s securities by FEIM; reviews and approves recommendations by FEIM for changes to the Fund’s valuation policies for submission to the Board for its approval; reviews FEIM’s quarterly presentations on valuation; oversees the implementation of the Fund’s valuation policies by FEIM; determines whether to approve the fair value recommendations for specific investments pursuant to the Fund’s valuation policies; and monitors various matters associated with the Fund’s liquidity risk management program.

 

7

The Board of Trustees considers these to be its primary working committees but also organizes additional special or ad hoc committees of the Board from time to time. There currently are two such additional committees, one (as a sub-committee of the Nominating and Governance Committee) responsible for administering the Trustees’ deferred compensation plan, the other responsible for making various determinations as to the insurance policies maintained for the Fund and its Trustees and officers. Ms. Beinecke and Ms. Hamilton are currently the sole Trustees who serve on these additional committees.

39


 

Organization of the Board

The Chair of the Board of Trustees is an Independent Trustee, and the Trust has a separate President. The standing committees of the Board are described above.

The organization of the Board of Trustees in this manner reflects the judgment of the Trustees that it is in the interests of the First Eagle Funds and their shareholders to have an independent member of the Board preside at Board meetings, supervise the Board agenda and otherwise serve as the “lead” Trustee both at meetings and in overseeing the business of the First Eagle Funds between meetings. It is also the judgment of the Trustees that there are efficiencies in having working committees responsible for or to assist with specific aspects of the Board’s business.

In reaching these judgments, the Trustees considered the Board’s working experience with both its current and past Board leadership and committee structures, legal requirements under applicable law, including the Investment Company Act, the perceived expectations of shareholders, information available on industry practice generally, the number of portfolios within the Trust, the nature of the underlying investment programs, and the relationship between the Trust and its principal service providers. The Board may consider different leadership structures in the future and make changes to these arrangements over time.

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, there were five meetings of the Board of Trustees.

Board Oversight of Risk Management

In considering risks related to the First Eagle Funds, the Board consults and receives reports from officers and personnel of the First Eagle Funds and the Adviser, who are charged with the day-to-day risk oversight function. Matters regularly reported to the Board include certain risks involving the First Eagle Funds’ investment portfolios, trading practices, operational matters, financial and accounting controls, and legal and regulatory compliance. The Board does not maintain a specific committee solely devoted to risk management responsibilities, but various standing committees of the Board and occasionally informal working groups of Trustees are involved in oversight of the risk management process. Risk management and Board-related reporting at the Adviser is not centralized in any one person or body.

Trustee Qualifications

All Trustees are expected to demonstrate various personal characteristics appropriate to their position, such as integrity and the exercise of professional care and business judgment. All Trustees also are expected to meet the necessary time commitments for service on the Board. The Board then generally views each Trustee appointment or nomination in the context of the Board’s overall composition and diversity of backgrounds and considers each Trustee’s individual professional experience and service on other boards of directors, as well as his or her current and prior roles (such as committee service) on the Board.

The following summarizes the experience and qualifications of the Trustees:

Dr. Lisa Anderson. Dr. Anderson has significant leadership experience at prominent academic institutions. She is currently serving as the Special Lecturer and James T. Shotwell Professor of International Relations Emerita at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. Previously, she served as President of the American University in Cairo; Provost of that institution; and Dean of the Columbia School of International and Public Affairs. Dr. Anderson also serves on the boards or steering committees of various research and public affairs organizations. At First Eagle Funds, Dr. Anderson serves on the Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee.

Mr. John Arnhold. Mr. Arnhold has significant executive and investment management experience. He previously was President of the First Eagle Funds and Chief Investment Officer of First Eagle Investment Management, LLC, the investment adviser to the First Eagle Funds. Mr. Arnhold serves on the board of the Adviser’s holding company and also serves on the boards of various charitable and educational institutions. At First Eagle Funds, Mr. Arnhold serves on the Board Valuation and Liquidity Committee and was previously the Board’s Chairman.

Ms. Candace Beinecke. Ms. Beinecke has significant executive and business advisory experience. She is the Senior Partner, and previously was the CEO and Chair, of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, an international law firm. Ms. Beinecke also serves on the boards of a major public real estate investment trust, a major public media company, and various charitable institutions. She also served as a long standing member of the board of a public international

40


 

industrial firm. At First Eagle Funds, Ms. Beinecke serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees, as Chair of the Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee and as a member of two specialized Board Committees (one of which is a sub-committee of the Nominating and Governance Committee).

Mr. Peter Davidson. Mr. Davidson has significant executive and investment management experience. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Aligned Climate Capital LLC, a U.S. registered investment adviser that focuses on investments in climate infrastructure projects. Since September 2016, Mr. Davidson serves as a director of Envision Solar International, Inc., a sustainable technology innovation company based in San Diego, California. Mr. Davidson is also an adjunct professor at Columbia University’s School of International and Political Affairs. In May 2013, Mr. Davidson was appointed by President Obama to serve as the executive director of the Loan Program Office at the U.S. Department of Energy, a position he held until June 2015.

Ms. Jean Hamilton. Ms. Hamilton has significant professional and leadership experience in the financial services industry. Currently engaged as a private investor and consultant, she previously held a number of senior executive positions with Prudential Financial, Inc. Ms. Hamilton also serves on the boards of an international reinsurance and insurance firm and various charitable institutions. At First Eagle Funds, Ms. Hamilton serves on the Board’s Audit Committee, as Chair of the Board Valuation and Liquidity Committee and on two specialized Board Committees (one of which is a sub-committee of the Nominating and Governance Committee).

Mr. James Jordan. Mr. Jordan has lengthy experience in the asset management sector of the financial industry. Currently a private investor, he serves on the board of directors of two international listed investment trust companies, as well as the boards of various charitable and public interest organizations. Previously, he served as President of The William Penn Funds, Inc., a mutual fund management company; as a consultant to The Jordan Company, a private investment banking company; and as Managing Director of First Eagle Investment Management, LLC, the investment adviser to the First Eagle Funds. At First Eagle Funds, he serves on the Board’s Nominating and Governance Committee.

Mr. William Kelly. Mr. Kelly has significant professional and leadership experience in the financial services industry, with an emphasis on the asset management sector. Currently engaged as a private investor and consultant, he previously was president of the investment management firm of Lingold & Associates. Mr. Kelly also serves on the boards of various academic and charitable institutions. At First Eagle Funds, Mr. Kelly serves on the Board’s Audit Committee and the Board Valuation and Liquidity Committee.

Mr. Paul Lawler. Mr. Lawler has significant portfolio management experience as an institutional investment manager. Currently engaged as a private investor and consultant, he previously served as chief investment officer for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and in senior investment roles at other prominent not-for-profit organizations. Mr. Lawler also serves on the boards of certain registered investment companies advised by affiliates of Blackstone Inc. and on boards of various charitable institutions. At First Eagle Funds, Mr. Lawler serves as Chair of the Board’s Audit Committee.

Mr. Mehdi Mahmud. Mr. Mahmud has significant executive and investment management experience. Currently, Mr. Mahmud serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of First Eagle Investment Management, LLC, Chief Executive Officer of First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC and President of First Eagle Funds, First Eagle Variable Funds and First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund. Prior to that, Mr. Mahmud was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jennison Associates LLC. Prior to these roles, he held several senior management positions at Jennison relating to product and business strategy, investment supervision of the firm’s value, small-cap, opportunistic and income-equity capabilities, and oversight of key support areas including institutional, retail and sub-advisory client activities. He has also served in a variety of investment management roles at JP Morgan Investment Management and Credit Suisse Asset Management.

Each Independent Trustee also was nominated based in part on his or her status as a person who is not an “interested person” of the Trust as defined in the Investment Company Act. Descriptions of Trustee experience should not be taken to suggest that any Trustee is expert in a particular subject.

Trustee Emeritus

The Board has created a position of Trustee Emeritus, whereby an incumbent Trustee, in the sole discretion of the Board, may serve as Trustee Emeritus for an initial and renewable two-year term.

41


 

A Trustee Emeritus receives no compensation, but will be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in connection with their service, including expenses of travel and lodging incurred in attendance at Board meetings (such reimbursements in Mr. Eveillard’s case to be expenses of the Adviser). A Trustee Emeritus will continue to receive relevant materials concerning the Fund, will be invited to attend regularly scheduled quarterly meetings of the Board each year and will be available to consult with the Committees or its representatives at reasonable times upon request. A Trustee Emeritus does not have any voting rights at Board meetings, is not considered to be a Trustee under either the 1940 Act or Delaware law, and is not subject to election by shareholders of the First Eagle Funds.

The following summarizes the experience and qualifications of the Trustee Emeritus:

Mr. Jean-Marie Eveillard. Mr. Eveillard has significant portfolio management experience. He was the portfolio manager of Global Fund, Overseas Fund, U.S. Value Fund and Gold Fund, each a series of the Trust, from 1979-2004 and again from 2007-2009. Mr. Eveillard has been recognized in the press and by mutual fund ranking organizations as a leading value investor and is the recipient of multiple lifetime achievement awards for his service to the field and long-term record of investment performance. Mr. Eveillard also serves on the board of a French investment advisory firm, a South African money management firm, and various charitable institutions.

Compensation of Trustees and Officers

Trustees of the Trust who are not Interested Trustees are paid by the Trust and First Eagle Variable Funds an annual fee of $200,000, a fee of $7,500 for each in-person meeting and $1,000 (subject to the discretion of the Chair) for each telephonic meeting of the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Members of each of the Audit Committee and the Board Valuation and Liquidity Committee are paid a fee of $6,000 for each meeting they attend, and the Board Valuation and Liquidity Committee members are paid $1,000 for a telephonic meeting. Members of other committees may be paid a total of $3,500 for each meeting they attend. An executive session held on a separate day from a Board meeting is considered a separate in-person meeting for fee purposes. The chair of any ad hoc committee formed for the purpose of considering insurance matters is paid a fee of $10,000 per year. Compensation may be paid for meetings of special committees, ad hoc committees or otherwise as the Trustees determine to be appropriate from time to time, though often separate compensation for a committee meeting is not paid when the committee meets on the same day as a full Board meeting. A Trustee also receives an annual fee of $30,000 for serving as the chair of any standing committee of Trustees (except that such additional fee is $40,000 in the case of the Audit Committee). The Chair of the Board of Trustees receives an additional annual fee of $150,000 for serving in that position. Such fees are allocated, generally, between the Trust and First Eagle Variable Funds on a pro rata basis in relationship to their relative net assets. Each Trustee is reimbursed by the Trust for any expenses he or she may incur by reason of attending such meetings or in connection with services he or she may perform for the Trust. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, an aggregate of $2,123,882 was paid, accrued or owed for Trustees’ fees and expenses by the Trust. No such fees, however, were paid by the Fund because the Fund has not commenced operations as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information.

The following table sets forth information regarding compensation of Trustees by the Trust and by the fund complex of which the Trust is a part for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021. Officers of the Trust, a Trustee Emeritus and Interested Trustees do not receive any compensation from the Trust or any other fund in the fund complex. The Trust does not maintain a retirement plan for its Trustees.

42


 

Trustee Compensation Table
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

Name of Person, Position

 

Aggregate
Compensation
Paid or
Owed from
Registrant

 

Total
Compensation
Paid or
Owed from
Registrant
and Fund
Complex
Paid to
Trustees**

Lisa Anderson, Trustee

 

 

$

 

250,821

   

 

$

 

257,000

 

John P. Arnhold, Trustee*

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

Candace K. Beinecke, Trustee

 

 

$

 

435,676

   

 

$

 

502,333

 

Peter W. Davidson, Trustee

 

 

$

 

243,855

   

 

$

 

250,000

 

Jean D. Hamilton, Trustee

 

 

$

 

340,968

   

 

$

 

418,000

 

James E. Jordan, Trustee

 

 

$

 

250,821

   

 

$

 

257,000

 

William M. Kelly, Trustee

 

 

$

 

294,609

   

 

$

 

301,000

 

Paul J. Lawler, Trustee

 

 

$

 

307,132

   

 

$

 

313,583

 

Mehdi Mahmud, Trustee*

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

*

 

Interested Trustees are not compensated by the Trust for their services.

 

**

 

For this purpose, the registrant consists of nine portfolios of the Trust (Global Fund, Overseas Fund, U.S. Value Fund, Gold Fund, Global Income Builder Fund, High Income Fund, Fund of America, Small Cap Opportunity Fund and Global Real Assets Fund). The fund complex consists of these portfolios plus the First Eagle Overseas Variable Fund, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund, First Eagle Alternative Capital BDC, Inc. and First Eagle Senior Loan Fund. As of October 31, 2021, each Trustee served on the board of the Trust and that of the First Eagle Overseas Variable Fund.

In addition, all persons serving as officers of the Trust (including the First Eagle Funds’ Chief Compliance Officer) are employed by the Adviser and the Adviser seeks reimbursement from the Trust for salary and benefits paid to some of those persons to the extent they provide services eligible for such reimbursement. This reimbursement program is described in more detail under the heading “Investment Advisory and Other Services—Payments to the Adviser.” No reimbursement is sought for compensation of any amount that might be attributable and payable to such a person solely for service as an officer of the Trust. As a separate matter (though such compensation may be covered under the reimbursement program as a matter of convenience), the Trust and the Adviser agree each year as to the relative portion of the compensation of the Chief Compliance Officer to be paid by each party.

Deferred Compensation

In addition to the compensation detailed above, each eligible Trustee may elect to defer a portion of his or her compensation from the First Eagle Fund complex. Such amounts grow or decline as if invested in one or more First Eagle Funds, as selected by the Trustee. No amounts by eligible Trustees are owed by the Fund.

Additional Information Regarding the Trustees

No Trustee owns shares of the Fund.

Since January 1, 2019, no independent Trustee who is a trustee of another investment company whose adviser and principal underwriter are FEIM and FEF Distributors, respectively (i.e., First Eagle Variable Funds), has held any other position with (i) the Trust (other than as a Trustee), (ii) an investment company having the same adviser or principal underwriter as the Fund or an adviser or principal underwriter that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Adviser or the Distributor (other than as a Trustee), (iii) the Adviser, the Distributor or other affiliate of the Trust, or (iv) any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser or the Distributor.

Since January 1, 2020, none of these individuals owns, beneficially or of record, securities issued by (i) the Adviser or the Distributor or (ii) any person (other than a registered investment company) directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser or the Distributor. Since January 1, 2019, none of these

43


 

individuals or their immediate family members has an interest in a transaction with a “related person” of the company. A “related person” is (i) an executive officer of the Trust, (ii) an investment company having the same adviser or principal underwriter as the Fund or an adviser or principal underwriter that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with the Adviser or the Distributor, (iii) an executive officer of such an investment company, (iv) the Adviser or the Distributor, (v) an executive officer of the Adviser or the Distributor, (vi) a person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser or the Distributor, or (vii) an executive officer of a person described in clause (vi) above. Mr. Paul Lawler is a Trustee of both the Trust and registered investment companies advised by affiliates of Blackstone Inc. Investment funds associated with Blackstone are among the owners of the Adviser.

The Trust, the Adviser, and the Distributor have adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act. This code of ethics permits personnel subject to the code to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by the First Eagle Funds, with certain exceptions.

As of October 31, 2021, to the knowledge of the Trust, the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, owned beneficially less than 1% of the shares of the beneficial interest of each First Eagle Fund. These percentages are based generally on ownership of the shares by the officers and Trustees, their immediate family members, and entities (such as family companies or trusts) whose investment activities they direct. Other entities in which an officer or Trustee has an interest may hold shares of the Funds, but those holdings generally are disregarded.

As of October 31, 2021, to the knowledge of the Fund, no shareholders owned 5.00% or more of the Fund’s securities since the Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this Statement of Additional Information.

44


 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES

The Adviser

As described in the Fund’s Prospectus, FEIM is the Fund’s investment adviser and, as such, manages the Fund. The Adviser’s primary offices are located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105. FEIM is a subsidiary of FE Holdings. Based in New York City since 1937, FE Holdings, formerly Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder Holdings, Inc., traces its heritage to the German banking house Gebr. Arnhold, founded in Dresden in 1864. A controlling interest in FE Holdings is owned by BCP CC Holdings L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“BCP CC Holdings”). BCP CC Holdings GP L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, is the general partner of BCP CC Holdings and has two managing members, Blackstone Capital Partners VI L.P. (“BCP VI”) and Corsair IV Financial Services Capital Partners L.P. (“Corsair IV”). BCP VI and Corsair IV are indirectly controlled by Blackstone Inc. (“Blackstone”) and Corsair Capital LLC (“Corsair”), respectively. Investment vehicles indirectly controlled by Blackstone and Corsair and certain co-investors own a majority economic interest in FE Holdings and the Adviser through BCP CC Holdings.

FEIM also furnishes the Trust with office space and certain facilities required for the business of the First Eagle Funds, and statistical and research data, and pays any compensation and expenses of the Trust’s officers as such and an agreed portion of the compensation of the Chief Compliance Officer. Certain of these expenses (including rent and compensation expenses) are, however, separately subject to reimbursement to the Adviser from certain of the First Eagle Funds as described under the heading “Payments to the Adviser” below.

The Advisory Agreement will have an initial term of two years and will continue in effect only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the Investment Company Act. The Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which the Advisory Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of duty. The Advisory Agreement provides that it will terminate automatically if assigned, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act, and that it may be terminated without penalty by either party upon not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice.

Payments to the Adviser

In return for the services listed above, the Fund will pay FEIM a fee at the annual rate of 0.65% of the average daily value of the Fund’s net assets.

The Adviser has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse certain fees and expenses of Classes A, I and R6 so that the total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales, and extraordinary expenses, if any) (“annual operating expenses”) of each class are limited to 1.10%, 0.85% and 0.85% of average net assets, respectively. Each of these undertakings lasts until February 28, 2023 and may not be terminated during its term without the consent of the Board of Trustees. The Fund has agreed that each of Classes A, I and R6 will repay the Adviser for fees and expenses waived or reimbursed for the class provided that repayment does not cause annual operating expenses (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed either: (1) 1.10%, 0.85% and 0.85% of the class’ average net assets, respectively; or (2) if applicable, the then-current expense limitations. Any such repayment must be made within three years after the year in which the Adviser incurred the expense.

The Adviser also performs certain administrative, accounting, operations, compliance and other services on behalf of the Fund and the Fund reimburses or pay fees to the Adviser for providing these services (including costs related to personnel, overhead and other costs). The reimbursements may not exceed an annual rate of 0.05% of the value of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Administrative services performed by the Adviser in exchange for these reimbursements or payments from the Fund are in addition to services performed by the Fund’s principal third-party administrator, custodian, fund accounting agent, and transfer agent and in addition to services of other third-party middle- and back-office service providers. Accordingly, the costs to the Fund are likewise in addition to the costs incurred in retaining those other service providers.

Advisory fees are paid monthly.

No advisory fees have been paid by the Fund as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information.

45


 

Contractual Expense Limitations

Effective as of November 30, 2021, the Adviser has contractually undertaken, during the respective periods noted below, to waive fees and/or reimburse annual operating expenses of each Class of the Fund listed below so that the Class’ total operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses, if any) (“Operating Expenses”) do not exceed the rate per annum noted below. Commitment fees relating to borrowings are treated as interest for purposes of this exclusion. Because the contractual undertaking excludes certain expenses, the Fund’s net expenses may exceed its contractual expense limitation.

The Fund has agreed to repay the Adviser out of the assets attributable to each of its respective Classes noted below for any fees waived by the Adviser under the expense limitation or any Operating Expenses the Adviser reimburses in excess of the expense limitation, provided that the repayment does not cause that Class’ Operating Expenses (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed either: (1) the expense limitations included in the table below; or (2) if applicable, the then-current expense limitations. Any such repayment must be made within three years after the year in which the Adviser incurred the expense. The appropriateness of these undertakings is determined on a Class-by-Class basis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fund

 

Class

 

Limitation Period

 

Expense Limitation

Real Assets Fund

 

A

 

February 28, 2023

 

1.10%

 

 

I

 

February 28, 2023

 

0.85%

 

R6

 

February 28, 2023

 

0.85%

No amounts have been reimbursed by the Adviser as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information.

No amounts have been repaid by the Fund to the Adviser as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information.

Portfolio Managers

Benjamin Bahr, John Masi, George Ross and David Wang manage the Fund.

The following table provides information October 31, 2021 relating to the activities, and investments in the Fund, by the portfolio managers of the Fund.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Number of
Registered
Investment
Companies
Managed and
Total Assets for
such Accounts*

 

Beneficial Ownership
of Equity Securities
in Funds Managed by
each Portfolio Manager
(Not including incentive-plan awards)**

 

Number of
Other Pooled
Investment
Vehicles
Managed and
Total Assets for
such Accounts

 

Number of
Other
Accounts
Managed and
Total Assets
for such
Accounts

Benjamin Bahr

 

None

 

$100,001-$500,000

 

 

 

None

 

None

John Masi

 

None

 

$100,001-$500,000

 

 

 

None

 

None

George Ross

 

None

 

$100,001-$500,000

 

 

 

None

 

None

David Wang

 

None

 

$100,001-$500,000

 

 

 

None

 

None

 

 

*

 

The data provided herein includes the First Eagle Funds and the First Eagle Variable Funds, where applicable.

 

**

 

Information provided as of December 1, 2021. Beneficial ownership shown in the table does not reflect certain awards to the portfolio managers made under the Adviser’s long-term incentive plan. Those awards are described in a separate table below.

As noted above, this table does not reflect participation by portfolio managers in the long-term incentive plan established by the Adviser. Awards under that plan are notionally allocated among various First Eagle Funds and result, over time, in payments for the benefit of the portfolio managers that are intended to generally replicate the investment performance of the relevant First Eagle Funds, subject to customary vesting and forfeiture requirements. Notional investment amounts, when combined with the actual investments by a portfolio manager, would be as follows, in each case reflecting actual investments made as of October 31, 2021 and incentive plan notional investments as of October 31, 2021:

46


 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio Manager

 

Beneficial Ownership
of Equity Securities
in the Fund
Managed by Each
Portfolio Manager
(Including
incentive-plan awards
)*

Benjamin Bahr

 

Real Assets Fund

 

$100,001-$500,000

John Masi

 

Real Assets Fund

 

$100,001-$500,000

George Ross

 

Real Assets Fund

 

$100,001-$500,000

David Wang

 

Real Assets Fund

 

$100,001-$500,000

 

 

*

 

Information provided as of December 1, 2021.

As of October 31, 2021, with respect to the accounts identified in the table above, Benjamin Bahr does not manage any pooled investment vehicles for which the advisory fees are based in part on the performance of the account or managed accounts for which the advisory fees are based in part on the performance of the account.

As of October 31, 2021, with respect to the accounts identified in the table above, John Masi does not manage any pooled investment vehicles for which the advisory fees are based in part on the performance of the account or managed accounts for which the advisory fees are based in part on the performance of the account.

As of October 31, 2021, with respect to the accounts identified in the table above, George Ross does not manage any pooled investment vehicles for which the advisory fees are based in part on the performance of the account or managed accounts for which the advisory fees are based in part on the performance of the account.

As of October 31, 2021, with respect to the accounts identified in the table above, David Wang does not manage any pooled investment vehicles for which the advisory fees are based in part on the performance of the account or managed accounts for which the advisory fees are based in part on the performance of the account.

Performance fees for a particular account of the Adviser do not accrue to any particular portfolio manager. Portfolio manager compensation consists of salary and an annual bonus, with the performance bonus representing an important portion of total compensation. The bonus is awarded in the firm’s discretion and generally will reflect the investment performance of each First Eagle Fund and any other account managed by each portfolio manager, the financial results of the firm as a whole, and the portfolio manager’s contributions to the firm both as an individual and as a member of the firm’s Real Assets team. The bonus may include an award under a long-term incentive plan established by the firm, which may be notionally allocated among certain of the First Eagle Funds, including those managed by such portfolio manager (and possibly other notional investments related to the Adviser’s overall financial performance), or such other long-term or deferred performance-based plan that may be established by the firm. Additionally, each of the portfolio managers may receive profit interests, which make them eligible, subject to customary vesting arrangements, for a share of the profits of the Adviser. Profits for this purpose are calculated firm-wide and therefore relate to investment products and business lines beyond those managed by the particular portfolio manager. Likewise, any notional incentive plan awards that relate to the Adviser’s overall financial performance will give the recipient exposure to results that relate to products and business lines beyond those managed by the recipient.

Although the portfolio managers listed above may be assisted by a team of professionals, such as associate portfolio managers, research analysts and trading personnel, no other person has final responsibility for Fund investment decisions. In order to provide you with additional information regarding the Adviser, the following table identifies the portfolio managers and the team of investment professionals assisting the Fund and provides information regarding their professional backgrounds.

 

 

 

 

 

Real Assets Team

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 

Areas of Specialty

Benjamin Bahr, CFA

 

Mr. Bahr joined the Adviser in July 2015. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Bahr was at AllianceBernstein, where he spent four years as a research analyst covering the telecom and utilities sectors for the firm’s value strategies. Previously, he worked as an Investment Banking analyst at Deutsche Bank Securities in New York. Mr. Bahr received his BBA degree in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and his MBA from Columbia University.

 

Chemicals, exploration & production, banks, other financials, autos and agricultural commodities

 

 

 

 

47


 

 

 

 

 

 

Real Assets Team

 

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years

 

Areas of Specialty

 

John Masi, CFA

 

Mr. Masi joined the Adviser in April 2012. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Masi spent two years at Rudman Capital, a New York-based long/short equity hedge fund, where he was a generalist research analyst. Mr. Masi received his BA in physics from Harvard University and his MBA from Columbia University.

 

Utilities, diversified industrials, commercial vehicles & trucks, infrastructure and insurance

 

George Ross

 

Mr. Ross joined the Adviser in 2003 and has performed a number of roles. Currently, Mr. Ross is a senior research analyst with responsibility for metals & mining, midstream energy & infrastructure, packaging and investment grade credit. Previously, Mr. Ross served as director of research and portfolio manager for the Adviser’s Event Driven team. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Ross worked for seven years in the technology sector, ending as a senior engineer for I-Deal LLC. Mr. Ross earned a BA in political economy and literature from Tulane University and an MFA in writing from the University of Iowa.

 

Metals & mining, midstream energy & infrastructure, oilfield equipment services, packaging and investment grade credit

 

David Wang

 

Mr. Wang joined the Adviser in January 2017. He previously spent five years as a research associate covering energy, industrials and healthcare services at Dodge & Cox in San Francisco. He received his undergraduate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania in Economics and Electrical Engineering and his MBA from Harvard University.

 

Aggregates and building materials, building products and construction materials, real estate, healthcare and holding companies

Conflicts of Interest

Personnel of the Adviser (including the portfolio managers identified above) serve as portfolio managers to certain clients and unregistered investment companies that utilize an investment program that is substantially similar to that of a First Eagle Fund managed by such person, including proprietary and related accounts. In addition, the Adviser currently serves, or may in the future serve, as investment adviser to other registered investment companies, unregistered investment companies or accounts (including proprietary accounts related to the Adviser or its affiliates), some of which provide for incentive compensation (such as performance fees). Consequently, the Adviser’s investment management activities may present conflicts between the interests of a First Eagle Fund and those of the Adviser and potentially among the interests of various accounts managed by the Adviser, principally with respect to allocation of investment opportunities among similar strategies. Although the Adviser has adopted allocation procedures intended to provide for equitable treatment of all accounts over time, it is possible that circumstances may arise requiring case-by-case treatment and that each client account will not necessarily participate in the same transaction. The allocation procedures generally contemplate similar treatment for like accounts, with exceptions for various certain considerations, including primary allocations based on an account’s investment objective or investments in an asset class, tax position, cash management requirements, concentration tolerance or minimum investment size policies. At times a portfolio manager may determine that an investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some accounts or accounts managed by the Adviser and/or may take different positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the Adviser may execute differing or opposite transactions for one or more accounts, which may affect the market price or the execution of the transactions or both, to the detriment of one or more other accounts. Certain trading practices, such as consideration of research and brokerage services when selecting brokers, dealers or other execution parties, may give rise to conflicts of interests as discussed under the heading Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage. Conflicts also may be presented by portfolio manager compensation arrangements, in that they are not dependent on any particular level of investment performance. Generally, the portfolio managers have significant personal investments in the First Eagle Funds as a whole, but may not be invested in all of the First Eagle Funds that they manage (and are not invested in one First Eagle Fund or another to the same extent).

Acting for more than one account also can present other conflicts and potential limitations on activities. For example, each account may have varying short- and long-term interests or may be subject to different account requirements. When such interests or account requirements conflict, the Adviser generally seeks to balance its respective interests in good faith. There also may be instances, especially with larger portfolio positions, when the activities of one or more account can operate to restrict further investment decisions for the position.

Conflicts of Interest Relating to Affiliates. The Adviser’s affiliation with Blackstone Inc. and Corsair Capital LLC (collectively, “Blackstone/Corsair”) requires the Adviser to manage conflicts of interest associated with dealings the First Eagle Funds may have with those businesses or funds, clients or portfolio companies associated with them. For example,

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should the Adviser wish to cause the First Eagle Funds to execute portfolio transactions through broker-dealers associated with Blackstone/Corsair, the commercial reasonableness of the brokerage compensation associated with those trades would have to be assessed. Other dealings may be more completely restricted. For example, the First Eagle Funds may not be able to buy or sell property directly to or from Blackstone/Corsair or their associated accounts. There also may be limits on participation in underwritings or other securities offerings by Blackstone/Corsair or their associated funds, accounts or portfolio companies. The breadth of these affiliations at times may require the Fund to abstain from or restructure an otherwise attractive investment opportunity.

Investments in portfolio companies associated with Blackstone/Corsair may be restricted by the 1940 Act. To the extent such investments are permitted and the Fund invests in such a portfolio company (a portfolio company generally referring to a company owned by private equity funds managed by Blackstone/Corsair), conflicts of interest may arise from the presence of Blackstone/Corsair representatives on the company board or the payment of compensation by the company to Blackstone/Corsair or an affiliate. Moreover, the Adviser could have an incentive to allocate the Fund’s assets to such a portfolio company since affiliates of the Adviser have a direct or indirect financial interest in its success. There also may be instances where Blackstone/Corsair could be involved in bankruptcy proceedings of current investments or of issuers in which the Fund would otherwise invest, with potentially divergent interests as between the Fund and Blackstone/Corsair.

VOTING OF PROXIES

The Board of Trustees has delegated to the Adviser the authority to vote proxies received by the Fund from the companies in which it invests (for this purpose, the “portfolio positions”). The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures (collectively, the “Policies”) regarding the voting of such proxies, which policies have been reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees as appropriate to their management of the Fund’s assets. It is the policy of the Adviser to vote client proxies in a manner that serves the best interest of the client.

The Policies provide for procedures that address conflicts of interest between the Adviser and a client with respect to voting proxies. With regard to the Adviser this may involve review of a proposed vote by their compliance personnel and, in certain circumstances, will require consultation with the Board of Trustees. The Adviser may abstain from voting from time to time when it determines that the costs associated with voting a proxy outweigh the benefits derived from exercising the right to vote or in other situations where voting may not be practical or desirable.

The Adviser relies on Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., (“ISS”), a third party proxy voting service, for recommendations as to voting on particular issues and for technical assistance in tracking instances in which the Fund has the opportunity to vote and in transmitting voting instructions to the relevant corporate issuer or its proxy tabulation agents. The Adviser utilizes ISS as a resource to enable it to make better-informed proxy voting decisions and to limit the potential for conflicts in the proxy voting process. The Adviser has analyzed and determined the ISS Proxy Guidelines to be largely consistent with the views of the Adviser on various types of proxy proposals.

Therefore, in many cases, the voting recommendation of the third party service is followed. However, the Adviser may determine to vote a proxy in a manner other than the manner recommended by its proxy voting service provider. While other services or recommendations may be considered from time to time, including Glass, Lewis & Co., LLC, the Adviser relies principally on proxy voting services provided by ISS. General information about ISS voting recommendations is available on ISS’s website: http://www.issgovernance.com (with separate voting “guidelines” listed for issuers in the Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Asia-Pacific—certain guidelines on that website, however, do not apply to ISS’s recommendations made for the Fund, such as those for pension plan investors and socially responsible investors).

Information regarding the proxy-voting record of the Trust for the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling the Trust at 800.334.2143; or (ii) at www.feim.com/individual-investors. This information also is available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.

DERIVATIVE ACTIONS BROUGHT ON BEHALF OF THE TRUST

In addition to the requirements set forth under Delaware law, a shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Trust only if the following conditions are met: (a) the shareholder or shareholders must make a pre-suit demand upon the Trustees to bring the subject action unless an effort to cause the Trustees to bring such an action is not likely to succeed. For purposes of this requirement, a demand on the Trustees shall only be deemed not likely to succeed

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and therefore excused if a majority of the Board of Trustees, or a majority of any committee established to consider the merits of such action, has a personal financial interest in the transaction at issue, and a Trustee shall not be deemed interested in a transaction or otherwise disqualified from ruling on the merits of a shareholder demand by virtue of the fact that such Trustee receives remuneration for his service on the Board of Trustees of the Trust or on the boards of one or more trusts that are under common management with or otherwise affiliated with the Trust; (b) unless a demand is not required under paragraph (a), shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under Delaware law who hold at least 10% of the outstanding shares of the Trust, or 10% of the outstanding shares of the series or class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the Trustees to commence such action; and (c) unless a demand is not required under paragraph (a), the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action. The Board of Trustees may designate a committee of one Trustee to consider a shareholder demand if necessary to create a committee with a majority of Trustees who do not have a personal financial interest in the transaction at issue.

The provision requiring at least 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, applicable series or class to join in the request to bring the derivative action and the provision requiring an undertaking by the requesting shareholders to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any advisors retained by the Board of Trustees in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action, may not apply to claims brought under federal securities laws.

DISTRIBUTOR OF THE FUND’S SHARES

FEF Distributors, LLC serves as the Distributor of the Fund’s shares. FEF Distributors, LLC is a registered broker-dealer and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”). FEF Distributors, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Adviser. FEF Distributors, LLC’s principal business address is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

The Fund pays the Distributor a Rule 12b-1 fee to cover expenses incurred by the Distributor for providing shareholder liaison services, including assistance with subscriptions, redemptions and other shareholder questions on Class A shares at the annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Fund’s outstanding Class A shares. These payments (other than service fees), which generally are made on a monthly basis, may also be used to cover expenses incurred by the Distributor for providing sales and promotional activities under the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 Plan, including the printing and distribution of sales literature and prospectuses sent to prospective investors. Authorized dealers to whom substantially the entire sales charge is reallowed may be deemed to be underwriters, according to the definition under the 1933 Act. Pursuant to the Distribution and Services Agreements between the Distributor and the Trust, the Fund agreed to indemnify the Distributor against certain liabilities under the 1933 Act. Any distribution-related (Rule 12b-1) fee may be used in whole or in part to finance distribution activities, including sales compensation, and/or shareholder account liaison and servicing activities.

The Fund’s Rule 12b-1 Plan is a compensation plan, which means that the Fund pays the Distributor for distributor services based on the net assets of the covered shares. The Distributor pays financial services firms’ fees for distributing the applicable shares. The Class I shares and Class R6 shares of the Fund do not participate in the Plan.

No fees under the Rule 12b-1 Plan have been paid by the Fund as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information.

The Fund may enter into arrangements with financial intermediaries to provide sub-transfer agent services and other related services (e.g., client statements, tax reporting, order-processing and client relations) that otherwise could be handled by the Fund’s transfer agent, DST Systems, Inc. (“DST”). As a result, these third parties may charge fees (sometimes called “sub-transfer agency fees”) to the Fund for these services so long as such compensation does not exceed certain limits set from time to time by the Board of Trustees in consultation with management. The Fund may compensate the institution rendering such services on a per-account basis, as an asset-based fee, based on transaction fees or other charges, or on a cost reimbursement basis, or in some cases, a combination of these inputs. The aggregate amount of sub-transfer agency fees may be substantial and may exceed the actual costs incurred in engaging in these services. Accordingly, financial intermediaries may realize a profit in connection with such services. (The Adviser, the Distributor or an affiliate may make additional payments to intermediaries for these and other services, and their payments may be based on the same or other methods of calculation. See “Revenue Sharing” below.) Sub-transfer

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agency fees can comprise a substantial portion of the Fund’s ongoing expenses (except in the case of Class R6 shares, where such fees are not paid). While the Adviser and the Distributor consider these sub-transfer agency fees to be payments for services rendered, they represent an additional business relationship between these sub-transfer agents and the Fund that often results, at least in part, from past or present sales of Fund shares by the sub-transfer agents or their affiliates. While sub-transfer agency fees and service levels are set in the market, there generally is limited comparative information available about them. The Fund and the Adviser also face certain conflicts of interest when considering these relationships in that the counterparty is both a prospective service provider and, typically, a distribution partner. The Adviser’s practice of paying sub-transfer agency fees above agreed limits as revenue sharing (as discussed further below) also creates conflicts of interest for the parties when considering sub-transfer agency relationships, and that is so both generally and in terms of the allocation of those fees between the Fund and the Adviser.

No sub-transfer agency payments of this nature have been made by the Fund as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information.

Additional payments relating to sub-transfer agency services may be paid by the Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate out of its or their own resources which is sometimes considered a form of “revenue sharing” (as further discussed below). No such payments were made by the Distributor, the Adviser or affiliates as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information.

Revenue Sharing

The Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate may, from time to time, out of its (or their) own resources, make substantial cash payments—sometimes referred to as “revenue sharing”—to broker-dealers or financial intermediaries for various reasons. The revenue sharing payments do not change the price paid by investors for the purchase of the Fund’s shares or the amount the Fund will receive as proceeds from such sales. Although a broker-dealer or financial intermediary may seek revenue sharing payments to offset costs incurred by the firm in servicing its clients who have invested in the Fund, the aggregate amount of these payments to broker-dealers or financial intermediaries may be substantial and may exceed the actual costs incurred in engaging in these promotional activities or services. Accordingly, broker-dealers or financial intermediaries may realize a profit in connection with such activities or services.

Revenue sharing payments may support the delivery of services to the Fund or to shareholders in the Fund, including, without limitation, transaction processing and sub-accounting services. These payments also may serve as an incentive to sell shares of the Fund and/or to promote retention of customer assets in the Fund. As such, they may be made to firms that provide various marketing support or other promotional services relating to the Fund, including, without limitation, advertising, access on the part of the Distributor’s personnel to sales meetings, sales representatives and/or management representatives of the broker-dealer or other financial intermediary, as well as inclusion of the Fund in various promotional and sales programs. Marketing support services also may include business planning assistance, educating broker-dealer personnel about the Fund and shareholder financial planning assistance. To the extent that broker-dealers or financial intermediaries receiving revenue sharing payments sell more shares of the Fund, the Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate benefit from the increase in Fund assets as a result of the distribution fees (if applicable) and management fees they receive from the Fund, respectively. However, the Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate does not consider a broker-dealer or financial intermediary’s sale of shares of the Fund when selecting brokers or dealers to effect portfolio transactions for the Fund.

Revenue sharing also may include any other payment requirement of a broker-dealer or another third-party intermediary, including certain agreed upon “finder’s fees” as described in greater detail in the Prospectus. All such payments are paid by the Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate of either out of its (or their) own resources and are in addition to any Rule 12b-1 payments described elsewhere in this Statement of Additional Information. Revenue sharing payments may be structured, among other means, (i) as a percentage of sales; (ii) as a percentage of net assets; (iii) as a flat fee per transaction; (iv) as a fixed dollar amount; or (v) as some combination of any of these. In many cases, they therefore may be viewed as encouraging sales activity or retention of assets in the Fund. Generally, any revenue sharing or other payments of the type just described will have been requested by the party receiving them, often as a condition of distribution, but are subject to negotiation as to their structure and scope. Various factors are used to determine whether to make revenue sharing payments. Possible considerations include, without limitation, the types of services provided by the broker-dealer or financial intermediary, sales of Fund shares, the redemption rates on accounts of clients of the broker-dealer or financial intermediary or overall asset levels of the Fund held for or by clients of the broker-dealer or financial intermediary, the willingness of the broker-dealer or financial intermediary to allow the Distributor, the

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Adviser or an affiliate to provide educational and training support for the broker-dealer’s or financial intermediary’s sales personnel relating to the Fund, as well as the overall quality of the services provided by the broker-dealer or financial intermediary. No such payments are made by reference to Class R6 shares or to the assets of these classes.

The Distributor, the Adviser and/or an affiliate of either also pays from its (or their) own resources for travel and other expenses, including lodging, entertainment and meals, incurred by brokers or broker representatives related to diligence or informational meetings in which broker representatives meet with investment professionals employed by the Fund’s investment adviser, as well as for costs of organizing and holding such meetings. The Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate also may make payments to or on behalf of brokers or their representatives for other types of events, including sales or training seminars, and may provide certain small gifts and/or entertainment as permitted by applicable rules. The Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate also may pay fixed fees for the listing of the Fund on a broker-dealer’s or financial intermediary’s system. This compensation is not included in, and is made in addition to, the compensation described in the preceding paragraph.

As of December 31, 2020, the parties with whom the Distributor, the Adviser and/or an affiliate of either have entered into written agreements to make revenue sharing payments with respect to the First Eagle Funds are as follows (such payments not including, for this purpose, “finders’ fees” paid, the sub-transfer agency payments described above, and payments for entertainment, training and education activities for the brokers and broker representatives, their investment professionals and/or their clients or potential clients).

The Distributor, the Adviser and/or an affiliate may revise the terms of any existing revenue sharing arrangement and may enter into additional revenue sharing arrangements with other broker-dealers or financial intermediaries. The Distributor, the Adviser and/or an affiliate also may pay fixed fees for the listing of the Fund on a broker-dealer’s or financial intermediary’s system. This compensation is not included in, and is made in addition to, the compensation described in this paragraph. No payments have been made with respect to the Fund as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information.

 

Parties Having Revenue Sharing Agreements
with the Distributor, the Adviser or an Affiliate

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC

Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Company, Inc.

LPL Financial LLC

Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

National Financial Services LLC

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.

RBC Capital Markets Corporation

UBS Financial Services, Inc.

Wells Fargo Advisors, Inc.

The above-listed revenue sharing counterparties may change from time to time. For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2020, total revenue sharing payments made to parties with whom the Distributor, the Adviser or an affiliate maintains a revenue sharing agreement represented approximately 0.05% of the average net assets across the First Eagle Funds complex. These payments, however, have not been made with respect to the Fund as of the date of this Statement of Additional Information.

Shareholders or prospective investors should be aware that revenue sharing arrangements or other payments to intermediaries could create incentives on the part of the parties receiving the payments to consider selling more shares of the Fund relative to mutual funds either not making payments of this nature or making smaller such payments. A shareholder or prospective investor with questions regarding revenue sharing or other such payments may obtain more details by contacting his or her broker representative or other financial intermediary directly.

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Custodial Risks for Shares Held Through Financial Intermediaries

As described above, investors may purchase the Fund’s shares either through the Distributor or from selected securities dealers or other intermediaries authorized to effect those transactions. The manner in which these intermediary firms custody an investor’s Fund shares or provide instructions to the Fund concerning an investor’s shareholder account with the Fund will vary by firm. In addition, information or securities, such as Fund shares, held in the custody of an intermediary firm may be subject to risks of, among other things, misappropriation, cyber-attacks or other similar risks associated with internet security.

FUND SHARES

The shares of beneficial interests of the Trust are currently classified as Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I shares, Class R3 shares, Class R4 shares, Class R5 shares, Class R6 shares and Class T shares of the Global Fund, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I shares, Class R3 shares, Class R4 shares, Class R5 shares, Class R6 shares and Class T shares of the Overseas Fund, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I shares, Class R3 shares, Class R4 shares, Class R5 shares, Class R6 shares and Class T shares of the U.S. Value Fund, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I shares, Class R3 shares, Class R4 shares, Class R5 shares, Class R6 shares and Class T shares of the Gold Fund, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I shares, Class R3 shares, Class R4 shares, Class R5 shares, Class R6 shares and Class T shares of the Global Income Builder Fund, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class I shares, Class R3 shares, Class R4 shares, Class R5 shares, Class R6 shares and Class T shares of the High Income Fund, Class A shares, Class C shares, Class Y shares, Class I shares, Class R3 shares, Class R4 shares, Class R5 shares, Class R6 shares and Class T shares of the Fund of America, Class A shares, Class I shares and Class R6 shares of the Small Cap Opportunity Fund and Class A shares, Class I shares and Class R6 shares of the Real Assets Fund. Class T shares of the Trust are not currently available. All shares issued and outstanding are redeemable at net asset value at the option of shareholders. When shares are held in a dealer’s “street name”, they generally are redeemable only through the dealer account in which they are held. Shares have no preemptive rights. Not all financial intermediaries will be authorized to sell and hold all classes of shares.

The Board of Trustees is authorized to reclassify and issue any shares of the Trust without shareholder approval. Accordingly, in the future, the Trustees may create additional series or classes of shares with different investment objectives, policies or restrictions. Any issuance of shares of another series or class would be governed by the Investment Company Act and Delaware law. Each share of the Fund is entitled to one vote for each dollar of net asset value and a proportionate fraction of a vote for each fraction of a dollar of net asset value. Generally, shares of the Fund vote together on any matter submitted to shareholders, except when otherwise required by the Investment Company Act or when a matter does not affect any interest of a particular class, in which case only shareholders of such other class or classes whose interests may be affected shall be entitled to vote. Shareholders shall not be entitled to cumulative voting in the election of Trustees or on any other matter.

Subject to the limitations and eligibility requirements disclosed in the Fund’s Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information and to any conversion procedures, including shareholding periods and/or conversion charges, the shares of the Fund may be converted as follows. You may convert Class A shares of the Fund having an aggregate value of $1 million or more into Class I shares of the Fund. Class A shares of the Fund held through certain “wrap fee” programs and 401(k) plans also may be eligible to be converted to Class I shares of the Fund. Shareholders holding shares of the Fund through such accounts may contact their intermediary with questions regarding conversions. Assuming you meet the Class R6 eligibility requirements, you may convert shares of any other class to Class R6 shares of the Fund.

All conversions will take place at net asset value and generally should not result in the realization of income or gain for federal income tax purposes. The Fund reserves the right to refuse any conversion requests. Share conversion privileges may not be available for all accounts and may not be offered at all dealers or financial intermediaries. For additional information concerning conversions, or to initiate a conversion, contact your dealer, financial intermediary or the First Eagle Funds at 800.334.2143. Certain intermediary-related terms also are described in the appendix to the Fund’s Prospectus titled Intermediary-Specific Front-End Sales Load and Waiver Terms.

The Fund may suspend redemption privileges or postpone the date of payment for any period during which: (1) the NYSE is closed for other than customary weekend and holiday closings or the SEC determines that trading on the NYSE is restricted; (2) an emergency exists as defined by the rules of the SEC as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to dispose of securities owned by it, or to determine fairly the value of its assets; and (3) for such other periods as the SEC may permit.

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The Fund may temporarily delay for more than seven days the disbursement of redemption proceeds from the Fund account held directly with the Fund based on a reasonable belief that financial exploitation of a Specified Adult has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted. “Specified Adult” is defined in FINRA Rule 2165 to be an individual who is a natural person (i) age 65 and older or (ii) age 18 and older who the Fund’s transfer agent reasonably believes has a mental or physical impairment that renders the individual unable to protect his or her own interests. Notice of such a delay will be provided in accordance with regulatory requirements. The Fund will immediately initiate an internal review of the facts and circumstances that caused the transfer agent to reasonably believe that the temporary hold is warranted under FINRA Rule 2165. However, the transfer agent and/or the Fund may not be aware of factors suggesting financial exploitation of a Specified Adult and may not be able to identify Specified Adults in all circumstances. Furthermore, neither the transfer agent nor the Fund is required to delay the disbursement of redemption proceeds and nor do they assume any obligation to do so.

Not all Trust shares are made generally available for purchase.

COMPUTATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

The Fund computes its net asset value once daily as of the close of trading on each day the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is open for trading. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the Exchange is closed on the following days: New Year’s Day, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The net asset value per share is computed by dividing the total current value of the assets of the Fund, less its liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding at the time of such computation. The ongoing expenses of the Fund are treated as liabilities of the Fund for this purpose and therefore reduce the Fund’s net asset value. Generally, expenses that do not pertain specifically to a class are allocated to the shares of each class, based upon the percentage that the net assets of such class bears to the Fund’s total net assets and then pro rata to each outstanding share within a given class. Such expenses may include (1) management and administrative fees and expense reimbursements paid to the Adviser, (2) legal, bookkeeping and audit fees, (3) printing and mailing costs of shareholder reports, prospectuses, statements of additional information and other materials for current shareholders, (4) fees to the Trustees who are not affiliated with the Adviser, (5) third-party custodian, administrator, transfer agency and middle- and back-office expenses, (6) share issuance costs, (7) organization and startup costs, (8) interest, taxes and brokerage commissions, and (9) non-recurring expenses, such as litigation costs. Other expenses that are directly attributable to a class are allocated equally to each outstanding share within that class. Such expenses include Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, shareholder servicing fees and fees paid to intermediaries for so-called sub-transfer agency fees, to the extent that such expenses pertain to a specific class rather than to the Fund as a whole.

A portfolio security (including an option), other than a bond, which is traded on a U.S. national securities exchange or a securities exchange abroad is generally valued at the price of the official close (last quoted sales price if an official closing price is not available) as of the local market close on the primary exchange. If there are no round lot sales on such date, such security will be valued at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices (and if there is only a bid or only an asked price on such date, valuation will be at such bid or asked price for long or short positions, respectively). Securities other than bonds, traded in the over-the-counter market are valued at the mean between the last bid and asked prices prior to the time of valuation (and if there is only a bid or only an asked price on such date, valuation will be at such bid or asked price for long or short positions, respectively), except if such unlisted security is traded on the NASDAQ in which case it is valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. Such prices are provided by approved pricing vendors or other independent pricing sources.

All bonds, whether listed on an exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market for which market quotations are readily available are generally priced at the evaluated bid price provided by an approved pricing service as of the close of the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), or dealers in the over-the-counter markets in the United States or abroad. Pricing services and broker-dealers use multiple valuation techniques to determine value. In instances where sufficient market activity exists, dealers or pricing services utilize a market-based approach through which quotes from market makers are used to determine fair value. In instances where sufficient market activity may not exist or is limited, the dealers or pricing services also utilize proprietary valuation models which may consider market transactions in comparable securities and the various relationships between securities in determining value and/or market characteristics such as benchmark yield curves, option-adjusted spreads, credit spreads, estimated default rates, coupon-rates, anticipated timing of principal repayments, underlying collateral, and other unique security features in order to estimate the relevant cash flows, which are then discounted to calculate the fair values. The Adviser’s Valuation

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Committee, at least annually, will review the pricing service’s inputs, methods, models and assumptions for its evaluated prices. Short-term debt maturing in 60 days or less is valued at evaluated bid prices.

Commodities (such as physical metals) are valued at a calculated evaluated mean price, as provided by an independent price source as of the close of the NYSE.

Forward currency contracts are valued at the current cost of covering or offsetting such contracts, by reference to forward currency rates at the time the NYSE closes, as provided by an independent pricing source.

The spot exchange rates, as provided by an independent price source as of the close of the NYSE are used to convert foreign security prices into U.S. dollars.

Any security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange (or traded in multiple markets) is valued at the official close on the primary exchange or market on which it is traded. In the absence of such a quotation, a security may be valued at the last quoted sales price on the most active exchange or market as determined by the independent pricing agent. The Fund uses pricing services to identify the market prices of publicly traded securities in their portfolios.

When market prices are determined to be “stale” as a result of limited market activity for a particular holding, or in other circumstances when market prices are unavailable, such as for private placements, or when market prices have been materially affected by events occurring after the close of trading on the exchange or market on which the security is principally traded but before the Fund’s NAV is calculated, or determined to be unreliable for a particular holding, such holdings may be “fair valued” in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Additionally, trading of foreign equity securities on most foreign markets is completed before the close in trading in U.S. markets. The Fund has implemented fair value pricing on a daily basis for all foreign securities, as available, to account for the market movement between the close of the foreign market and the close of the NYSE. The fair value pricing utilizes factors provided by an independent pricing service. The values assigned to the Fund’s holdings therefore may differ on occasion from reported market values, especially during periods of higher market price volatility. The Board and the Adviser believe relying on the procedures described above will result in prices that are more reflective of the actual market value of portfolio securities held by the Fund than relying solely on reported market values.

DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

The Fund’s portfolio holdings are made public, as required by law, in the Fund’s annual and semi-annual reports. These reports are filed with the SEC and mailed to shareholders within 60 days after the last day of the relevant period. (In addition, these reports are available upon request as described on the front cover of this Statement of Additional Information.) Also as required by law, the Fund’s portfolio holdings are reported to the SEC within 60 days after the end of the Fund’s relevant first or third fiscal quarterly period. Full portfolio holdings, as well as certain statistical information relating to portfolio holdings such as country or sector allocations, are posted to the Fund’s website on a monthly basis within 15 days after the end of each month. These postings can be located under “Monthly Holdings” and/or behind the Portfolio tab on the Fund’s section of the website and generally are available for at least 30 days from their date of posting. Certain archived top holding postings are also available. As should be clear, because the Fund considers current portfolio holding information proprietary, such information is typically withheld for some time before being made public.

When authorized by appropriate executive officers of the Fund, portfolio holdings information may be given more frequently than as just described to third-party Fund service providers, financial intermediaries, various mutual fund rating and ranking organizations and certain affiliated persons of the Fund. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, these persons are limited to the Distributor, the Fund’s custodian (JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) (full portfolio daily, no lag) and internal and external accounting personnel (full portfolio daily, no lag), third party legal advisers, the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, various portfolio management and/or trading systems, execution management systems and settlement systems (Charles River Development, Global Trading Analytics LLC, Electra Information Systems, SS&C Advent, AcadiaSoft ProtoColl Collateral System, GTSS, FX Connect and Omgeo) (disclosure may vary but may sometimes include full portfolio daily, no lag), ISS Governance (full portfolio weekly, no lag) and other proxy voting agents, ACA Performance Services in connection to GIPS verification (disclosure may vary but include full portfolio at month-end, no lag), portfolio analytics software provider FactSet Research Systems (full portfolio daily, no lag), Ernst & Young LLP, in connection with tax analysis (full portfolio monthly, no lag) and the following mutual fund rating/ranking organization, whose further dissemination is subject to the subscription rules of this rating/ranking organization: MSCI (full portfolio daily, no lag). On occasion the

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Fund may disclose one or more individual holdings to pricing or valuation services (or to broker-dealers acting as market makers) for assistance in considering the valuation of the relevant holdings. The Fund’s regular pricing and fair valuation services are Refinitiv, ICE Data Services, Bloomberg L.P., IHS Markit, JPMorgan Pricing Direct, Inc (all such services have access to some or all of the portfolio daily, no lag). The Fund will also disclose information regarding portfolio transactions, but not portfolio holdings, to FIS Protegent PTA, a personal trading compliance system (daily, no lag) through portfolio transaction reports in which the Fund’s portfolio accounts are not identified.

Limited portfolio holdings information also may be released to other third parties more frequently than described above. By way of example, portfolio holdings information concerning a security held by any of the Fund may be disclosed to the issuer of that security. Likewise, a trade in process or being contemplated may be discussed with counterparties, potential counterparties and others involved in the transaction.

In each of the cases described in the preceding paragraph, the information provided is subject to limitations on use intended to prohibit the recipient from trading on or inappropriately further disseminating it. As part of the internal policies and procedures, conflicts between the interests of the investors and those parties receiving portfolio information will be considered. In addition to the Fund’s policies and procedures in this area, a number of fund service providers maintain their own written procedures limiting use and further transmission of portfolio holdings information disclosed to them. Neither the Fund nor the Adviser (nor its affiliates) receives any compensation in connection with disclosure of information to these parties, and all such arrangements are pursuant to policies approved by the Board of Trustees, which has determined that they are appropriate and in the best interests of Fund shareholders. These Fund policies and procedures will be reviewed by the Trustees on an annual basis for adequacy and effectiveness, in connection with the Fund’s compliance program under Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act. Related issues will be brought to the attention of the Trustees on an as appropriate basis.

In addition, the Adviser manages other accounts such as separately managed accounts and other pooled investment vehicles that may have the same or substantially similar investment objectives and strategies to those of the Fund, and therefore, the same or substantially similar portfolio holdings. The portfolio holdings of these accounts and/or funds are made available to certain parties on a more timely basis than Fund portfolio holdings are made publicly available as specified in this Statement of Additional Information. It is possible that any such recipient of these holdings could trade ahead of or against the Fund based on the information received.

The Fund or its affiliates may distribute non-specific information about the Fund and/or summary information about the Fund at any time. Such information will not identify any specific portfolio holding, but may reflect, among other things, the quality or character of the Fund’s holdings and portfolio attribution/contribution.

Additionally, the Adviser or its personnel from time to time may comment to the press, Fund shareholders, prospective investors or shareholder or investor fiduciaries or agents (orally or in writing) on one or more of the Fund’s portfolio securities or may state that the Fund recently purchased or sold one or more securities. This commentary also may include such statistical information as industry, country or capitalization exposure, credit quality information, specialized financial characteristics (alpha, beta, maturity, Sharpe ratio, standard deviation, default rate, etc.), price comparisons to various measures, portfolio turnover and the like. No comments may be made, however, if likely to permit, in the sole judgment of the Adviser, inappropriate trading of Fund shares or of Fund portfolio securities.

HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES

The methods of buying and selling shares and the sales charges applicable to purchases of shares of the Fund are described in the Fund’s Prospectus. While sales charges for investors residing outside the United States may vary from those listed in the statutory prospectus, the Fund typically does not offer or sell its shares to non-U.S. residents. For purposes of this policy, a U.S. resident is defined as an account with (i) a U.S. address of record (including Army Post Office (APO), Fleet Post Office (FPO) and Diplomatic Post Office (DPO) addresses) and (ii) all account owners residing in the United States at the time of sale. Any existing account that is updated to reflect a non-U.S. address may also be restricted from making additional investments. As stated in the Prospectuses, shares of each Fund may be purchased at net asset value by various persons associated with the Trust, the Adviser, FEF Distributors, LLC, FE Holdings, certain other subsidiaries of FE Holdings, certain firms providing services to the Trust or affiliates thereof for the purpose of promoting good will with employees and others with whom the Trust has business relationships, as well as in other special circumstances. Shares are offered to other persons at net asset value in circumstances where there are economies of selling efforts and sales related expenses with respect to offers to certain investors.

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DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

It is the Fund’s policy to make annual distributions of net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any. Unless you elect otherwise, your ordinary income dividends and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in additional shares of the same share class of the Fund at net asset value calculated as of the date immediately preceding the payment date. The Fund pays ordinary income dividends and capital gains distributions on a per-share basis. As a result, on the ex-dividend date of such a payment, the net asset value of the Fund will be reduced by the amount of the payment.

CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS

The Fund is a party to contractual arrangements with various parties who provide services to the Fund, including the Adviser, the Distributor, the custodian, and the transfer agent, among others. Fund shareholders are not parties to, or intended (“third party”) beneficiaries of, any such contractual arrangements, and such contractual arrangements are not intended to create in any individual investor or group of investors any 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. Also, while the Prospectus and this Statement of Additional Information describe pertinent information about the Trust and the Fund, neither the Prospectus nor this Statement of Additional Information can represent a contract between the Trust or the Fund and any shareholder or any other party.

TAX STATUS

The Fund has elected and intends to qualify annually as a “regulated investment company” (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify as a RIC for a taxable year, the Fund must, among other things, (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (“PTP”), gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies or other income (such as gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies; (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of its assets is represented by cash, cash items, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs and other securities, with such other securities of any one issuer qualifying only if the Fund’s investment is limited to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s assets and not more than 10% of the voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are determined, under Treasury regulations, to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or businesses or in the securities of one or more qualified PTPs; and (c) distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends and interest net of expenses and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses) and at least 90% of its tax-exempt interest income (net of certain costs allocable to such income) for the year.

The Fund may invest in certain assets, such as gold bullion, that do not constitute “securities” for purposes of the RIC qualification tests referred to in the previous paragraph and other assets, including various derivative and structured investment products the status of which as “securities” for such purposes may not be fully settled. Subject to the savings provisions described below, if a sufficient portion of the Fund’s assets were not stock or such securities or if a sufficient portion of the Fund’s gross income were not derived from stock or such securities for any taxable year, the Fund may fail to qualify as a RIC for such taxable year.

If the Fund fails to qualify for taxation as a RIC for any taxable year, the Fund’s income will be taxed at the Fund level at regular corporate rates. In addition, in order to requalify for taxation as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment, the Fund may be required to recognize unrealized gains, incur substantial taxes on such unrealized gains, and make certain substantial distributions. The Fund has elected and intends to qualify annually as a RIC under the Code.

If the Fund were otherwise to fail to satisfy the gross income test for a taxable year, it would nevertheless be considered to satisfy such test if its failure to satisfy the gross income test were due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect and if it were to satisfy certain procedural requirements. The Fund would be subject to an excise tax if it were to rely on this savings provision in order to meet the gross income test.

In addition, if the Fund were otherwise to fail to satisfy the asset diversification test, it would nevertheless be considered to satisfy such test if either (a) the failure to satisfy the asset test were de minimis and the Fund were to satisfy

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the asset test within a prescribed time period or (b) the Fund’s failure to satisfy the asset diversification test were due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, the Fund were to satisfy the test within a prescribed time period and the Fund were to satisfy certain procedural requirements. The Fund’s failure to satisfy the asset diversification test would be considered de minimis if it were due to the Fund’s ownership of assets the total value of which did not exceed the lesser of $10 million and 1 percent of the total value of the Fund’s assets at the end of the fiscal quarter in which the test was being applied. The Fund would be subject to an excise tax if it were to rely on the savings provision described in (b) of this paragraph in order to meet the asset diversification test.

As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income and net capital gains (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses), if any, that it distributes to shareholders. The Fund intends to distribute to its shareholders, at least annually, substantially all of its investment company taxable income and net capital gains.

For purposes of determining the amount of its investment company taxable income and net capital gains that the Fund has distributed to its shareholders for a taxable year, the Fund may elect to treat certain distributions paid in the following taxable year as having been paid in the earlier taxable year.

Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a non-deductible 4% excise tax. To prevent imposition of the excise tax, the Fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount equal to or exceeding the sum of (1) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, (2) at least 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) for the one-year period ending on October 31 of the calendar year, and (3) 100% of any ordinary income and capital gains for the preceding year that were not distributed during that year. A distribution will be treated as paid on December 31 of the current calendar year if it is declared by the Fund in October, November or December with a record date in such a month and paid by the Fund during January of the following calendar year. Such distributions will be taxable to shareholders in the calendar year in which the distributions are declared, rather than the calendar year in which the distributions are received. To prevent application of the excise tax, the Fund intends to make its distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirement.

Finally, any foreign currency transactions that are not directly related to the Fund’s investments in securities (possibly including, but not limited to, speculative currency positions or currency derivatives not used for hedging purposes) could, under future administrative guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”), produce income not among the types of “qualifying income” from which the Fund must derive at least 90 percent of its annual gross income.

Different tax treatment is accorded accounts maintained as IRAs, including a penalty on pre-retirement distributions that are not properly rolled over to other IRAs. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers for more information.

Dividends paid out of the Fund’s investment company taxable income will be taxable to a U.S. shareholder as ordinary income. Provided that certain holding period requirements are met at the Fund and shareholder levels, certain dividends received by non-corporate shareholders (including individuals) from the Fund may be eligible for the reduced tax rates applicable in the case of long-term capital gains to the extent that the Fund receives “qualified dividend income” and reports a portion of its dividends as such in a written statement to shareholders. Provided that certain holding period requirements are met at the Fund and shareholder levels, to the extent that a portion of the Fund’s income consists of dividends paid by U.S. corporations, a portion of the dividends paid by the Fund may be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction if so reported by the Fund in a written statement to shareholders.

Any dividends paid by the Fund that are attributable to distributions from REITs will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction. Furthermore, dividends attributable to distributions from REITs will generally not qualify for the reduced tax rates on certain Fund dividends earned by non-corporate shareholders (including individuals). However, for tax years before January 1, 2026, proposed Treasury regulations, on which taxpayers may currently rely, provide that dividends attributable to distributions from REITs (other than capital gain dividends, as defined in section 857(b)(3) of the Code, and qualified dividend income) may be treated by non-corporate shareholders as “qualified REIT dividends” and such shareholders generally may deduct 20% of the amount of qualified REIT dividends they receive from their taxable income under section 199A of the Code, if and to the extent such shareholders meet the holding period requirements for their Fund shares, described in the next sentence, and the Fund satisfies similar holding period requirements for the REIT shares. The shareholder holding period requirements are met if the

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Fund shares are held by the shareholder for more than 45 days (taking into account the principles of section 246(c)(3) and (4) of the Code) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such shares become ex-dividend with respect to such dividend, but only if and to the extent the shareholder is not under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property.

Certain types of income received by the Fund from its investment in mortgage REITs may cause the Fund to report some of its distributions as “excess inclusion income.” To Fund shareholders, such excess inclusion income would: (i) constitute taxable income, as “unrelated business taxable income”, for those shareholders who would otherwise be exempt from U.S. federal income tax, such as individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities; (ii) not be offset by current, carryforward or carryback net operating losses; (iii) not be eligible for reduced U.S. withholding for non-U.S. shareholders even from tax treaty countries; and (iv) cause the Fund to be subject to tax if “disqualified organizations,” as defined by the Code, own shareholders in the Fund.

The Fund tries to avoid investing in mortgage REITs that are expected to generate excess inclusion income, but the Fund may not always be successful in doing so. Because information about a mortgage REIT’s investments may be inadequate or inaccurate, or because a mortgage REIT may change its investment program, the Fund may not be successful in avoiding the consequences described above. Avoidance of investments in mortgage REITs that generate excess inclusion income may require the Fund to forego otherwise attractive investment opportunities.

As described above, the Fund may invest in MLPs. An MLP treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes does not pay U.S. federal income tax at the partnership level, subject to the application of certain partnership audit rules. Rather, the Fund is required to take into account the Fund’s allocable share of the income, gains, losses, deductions, expenses and tax credits recognized by such MLP regardless of whether the MLP distributes cash to the Fund. Because the Fund may recognize income from an MLP in excess of the cash distributions received from the MLP, the Fund may be required to sell other securities or may have to use leverage in order to satisfy the distribution requirements to qualify as a RIC and to avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes. Distributions to the Fund from an MLP that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes are not taxable unless the cash amount (or in certain cases, the fair market value of marketable securities) distributed exceeds the Fund’s basis in its MLP interest. The Fund’s basis in such an MLP generally is equal to the amount the Fund paid for its interest in the MLP (i) increased by the Fund’s allocable share of the MLP’s net income and certain MLP debt, if any, and (ii) decreased by the Fund’s allocable share of the MLP’s net losses and distributions received by the Fund from the MLP. Any distributions by an MLP to the Fund in excess of the Fund’s allocable share of the MLP’s net income will decrease the Fund’s basis in its MLP interest and will therefore increase the amount of gain (or decrease the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the Fund when it sells its interest in the MLP.

An MLP could be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, generally based on the kinds of income generated by the MLP, in which case the MLP would be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on its net income at the regular corporate rate. Taxation of an MLP in which the Fund invests would result in a reduction of the value of the Fund’s investment in the MLP and, consequently, your investment in the Fund.

As noted above, to qualify as a RIC, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from certain specified sources. If the MLP is not a qualified PTP, the income of the MLP would be treated as qualifying income for purposes of the annual 90% gross income test only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the MLP that would be qualifying income if realized directly by the Fund. If the MLP is a qualified PTP, all of the net income derived from such qualified PTP would be qualifying income for purposes of the annual 90% gross income test. To qualify as a RIC, the Fund must also satisfy certain quarterly asset diversification tests. If the MLP is not a qualified PTP, in general, the Fund would look through to the underlying assets of the MLP for purposes of applying the quarterly asset diversification tests. If the MLP is treated as a qualified PTP, however, the quarterly asset diversification tests would be applied by treating such qualified PTP as the issuer of securities of such qualified PTP and there would be no look through to the underlying assets of such partnership. Additionally, under the quarterly asset diversification tests, no more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s assets may be invested in securities of one or more qualified PTPs at the end of each calendar quarter.

Investments in MLPs treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes may result in shareholders of the Fund being required to either request extensions to file their tax returns or file amended returns. Where the Fund invests in MLPs treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Fund will typically not receive its Schedule

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K-1 tax statements from the MLPs until after the date on which the Fund is required to mail Forms 1099 to its shareholders. Therefore, the Fund may need to send its shareholders corrected Forms 1099 after it receives Schedules K-1 from such MLPs, and this may require shareholders to file amended personal tax returns. Additionally, if the Fund invests in MLPs that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it may be difficult to estimate the income from the MLPs prior to the Fund’s receipt of Schedules K-1 from the MLPs, for purposes of determining the amount the Fund is required to timely distribute each year to preserve its status as a RIC and to avoid becoming subject to federal income or excise tax.

For tax years before January 1, 2026, non-corporate shareholders who are direct holders of PTPs generally are eligible for a deduction of up to 20% of “qualified publicly traded partnership income.” The Fund will not be able to claim such a deduction in respect of income allocated to it by any MLPs or other PTPs in which it invests, and absent any additional guidance, the law does not allow the Fund to pass through to its non-corporate shareholders the special character of this income and to claim a deduction in respect of Fund dividends attributable to such income.

Distributions of net capital gains derived from all sales of portfolio securities by the Fund, if any, reported as capital gains distributions, are generally taxable to individual shareholders at long-term capital gain rates, regardless of whether the shareholder has held the Fund’s shares for more than one year, and are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders. After the close of each fiscal year, the Fund will designate the portion of its dividends paid to shareholders constituting qualified dividend income, dividends eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction, and capital gain dividends. Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares, rather than cash, generally will recognize income and have a cost basis in each such share equal to the net asset value of a share of the Fund on the reinvestment date. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of a shareholder’s shares and, after such adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to such shareholder (assuming the Fund shares are held as a capital asset). Distributions of gains realized on collectibles, such as gains on gold and silver bullion, held for one year or less, are taxable to a U.S. shareholder as short-term gains. Distributions of gains realized on collectibles held for greater than one year, to the extent properly reported as such by the Fund, are taxable to non-corporate shareholders at a maximum 28% tax rate. Shareholders will be notified annually as to the U.S. federal income tax status of distributions, and shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional shares will receive a report as to the net asset value of those shares.

Investments by the Fund in securities issued or acquired at a discount, or providing for deferred interest or payment of interest in the form of additional obligations could result in income to the Fund equal generally to a portion of the excess of the face value of the securities over their issue or acquisition price (the “original issue discount”) each year that the securities are held, even though the Fund receives no interest payments corresponding to such income. In addition, the Fund’s investment in foreign currencies or foreign currency denominated or referenced debt, certain asset-backed securities, section 1256 contracts (as described below) and, contingent payment and inflation-indexed debt instruments also may increase or accelerate a Fund’s recognition of income, including the recognition of taxable income in excess of the cash generated by such investments. Such income must be included in determining the amount of income which the Fund must distribute to maintain its status as a RIC and to avoid the imposition of U.S. federal income tax and the 4% excise tax. In such case, the Fund could be required to dispose of securities which it might otherwise have continued to hold or borrow to generate cash to satisfy its distribution requirements.

Investments in debt instruments that are at risk of or are in default may become subject to special tax issues regarding when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount, or market discount, when and to what extent it may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities, how payments received on defaulted instruments should be allocated between principal and interest, and whether exchanges or modifications of debt instruments are taxable. These and other issues related to at-risk debt instruments may also affect the amount of income that the Fund is required to distribute to preserve its status as a RIC and to avoid becoming subject to federal income or excise tax.

The Fund’s gains and losses on the sale, lapse, or termination of options that it holds will generally have the same character as gains and losses from the sale of the security to which the option relates. If options written by the Fund expire unexercised, the premiums received by the Fund give rise to short-term capital gains at the time of expiration. The Fund may also have short-term capital gains and losses associated with closing transactions with respect to options written by the Fund. If call options written by the Fund are exercised, the selling price of the security to which the option relates is increased by the amount of the premium received by the Fund, and the character of the capital gain or loss on the sale of such security as long-term or short-term depends on the security’s holding period. Upon the exercise of a put held by the Fund, the premium initially paid for the put is offset against the amount received for the security

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sold pursuant to the put thereby decreasing any gain (or increasing any loss) realized on the sale. Generally, such gain or loss is capital gain or loss, the character of which as long-term or short-term depends on the holding period of the security. However, the purchase of a put option may be subject to the short sale rules or straddle rules for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

In general, gain or loss on a short sale is recognized when the Fund closes the sale by delivering the borrowed property to the lender, not when the borrowed property is sold. Gain or loss from a short sale is generally capital gain or loss to the extent that the property used to close the short sale constitutes a capital asset in the Fund’s hands. Except with respect to certain situations where the property used by the Fund to close a short sale has a long-term holding period on the date of the short sale, special rules would generally treat the gains on short sales as short-term capital gains. These rules may also terminate the running of the holding period of “substantially identical property” held by the Fund.

Moreover, a loss on a short sale will be treated as a long-term capital loss if, on the date of the short sale, “substantially identical property” has been held by the Fund for more than one year.

Certain regulated futures, nonequity options, and foreign currency contracts in which the Fund may invest are “section 1256 contracts.” Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses; however, foreign currency gains or losses arising from certain section 1256 contracts may be treated as ordinary income or loss. Also, section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, generally, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on October 31 of each year) are “marked-to-market” (that is, treated as sold at fair market value), resulting in unrealized gains or losses being treated as though they were realized.

Generally, the hedging transactions undertaken by the Fund (including, for example, the ownership of stocks and the sale of options) may result in “straddles” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The straddle rules may cause certain gains to be treated as short-term rather than long-term and may cause certain losses to be treated as long-term rather than short-term. In addition, losses realized by the Fund on positions that are part of a straddle may be deferred under the straddle rules, rather than being taken into account in calculating the taxable income for the taxable year in which the losses are realized and certain interest expenses may be required to be capitalized. In addition, dividends, if any, on the stocks held as part of a straddle would not qualify for the lower rate generally applicable to “qualified dividend income.” The tax consequences to the Fund of engaging in hedging transactions are not entirely clear. Hedging transactions may increase the amount of short-term capital gains realized by the Fund which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders. To the extent that the call options that the Fund writes on its portfolio securities are “qualified covered call options,” the holding of the call options and the underlying securities will generally not be treated as a “straddle” subject to the straddle rules except in the case of certain positions which are closed by the Fund in part at a loss in one year where gain is subsequently recognized by the Fund in a later year. In general, a “qualified covered call option” is an option that is written (sold) with respect to stock that is held or acquired by a taxpayer in connection with writing the option and that meets certain requirements, including that the option is exchange-traded or, if over-the-counter, meets certain IRS requirements, is granted more than 30 days prior to expiration, is not “deep-in-the-money” (within the meaning of section 1092 of the Code), is not granted by an options dealer (within the meaning of section 1256(g)(8) of the Code) in connection with the options dealer’s activity of dealing in options, and gain or loss with respect to such option is not ordinary income or loss. If the Fund owns stock and writes a qualified covered call option that is in-the-money (but not “deep-in-the-money”), certain losses may be treated as long-term rather than short-term and the holding period of the stock will not include any period during which the Fund is the grantor of the option thereby impacting the amount of income that can qualify for the lower rate applicable to “qualified dividend income.” The Fund may make one or more of the elections available under the Code which are applicable to straddles. If the Fund makes any of such elections, the amount, character and/or timing of the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions will be determined under rules that vary according to the election(s) made. The rules applicable under certain of the elections may operate to accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions.

Because the straddle rules may affect the character of gains or losses, defer losses and/or accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions, the amount which must be distributed to shareholders, and which will be taxed to them as ordinary income or long-term capital gains, may be increased or decreased as compared to a fund that did not engage in such hedging transactions.

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, the Fund may recognize gain from a constructive sale of certain “appreciated financial positions” generally if the Fund enters into a short sale or an offsetting notional principal contract with respect to, or a futures or a forward contract to deliver, the same or substantially identical property or, in the case of

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an appreciated financial position that is a short sale an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract, if the Fund acquires the same or substantially identical property as the underlying property for the position. Appreciated financial positions subject to this constructive sale treatment are interests (including options, forward contracts and short sales) in stock, partnership interests, certain actively traded trust instruments and certain debt instruments. Constructive sale treatment does not apply to certain transactions that are closed before the end of the 30th day after the end of the taxable year in which the transaction was entered into if the taxpayer holds the appreciated financial position throughout the 60 day period beginning on the date the transaction is closed and at no time during this 60 day period is the taxpayer’s risk of loss with respect to the appreciated financial position reduced by certain circumstances.

If the Fund has long-term capital gain from a “constructive ownership transaction” with respect to any financial asset, the amount of such gain which may be treated as long-term capital gain by the Fund is limited to the amount of such gain which the Fund would have recognized if it had been holding such financial asset directly, rather than through a constructive ownership transaction, with any gain in excess of this amount being treated as ordinary income. In addition, any such gain recharacterized as ordinary income is treated as having been realized ratably over the duration of such constructive ownership transaction grossed up by an interest charge when reported in the year recognized. A constructive ownership transaction includes holding a long position under a notional principal contract with respect to, or entering into a forward or futures contract to acquire certain financial assets, or both holding a call option and granting a put option with respect to certain financial assets where such options have substantially equal strike prices and substantially contemporaneous maturity dates.

Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates which occur between the time the Fund accrues receivables or liabilities denominated in a foreign currency or determined with reference to one or more foreign currencies and the time the Fund actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities, generally are treated as ordinary income or loss. Similarly, on the disposition of debt securities denominated in a foreign currency or determined with reference to one or more foreign currencies gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition thereof also are treated as ordinary income or loss. Generally gains or losses with respect to forward contracts, futures contracts, options or similar financial instruments (other than section 1256 contracts) which are denominated in a foreign currency or determined by reference to the value of one or more foreign currencies are treated as ordinary gains or losses, as the case may be. These gains or losses, referred to under the Code as “section 988” gains or losses, may increase or decrease the amount of the Fund’s investment company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders as ordinary income. However, in certain circumstances, it may be possible to make an election to treat such gains or losses as capital gains or losses or as subject to the rules applicable to section 1256 contracts, rather than subject to section 988 treatment. Furthermore, if section 988 losses exceed other investment company taxable income generated by the Fund during a taxable year, the Fund’s distributions for the taxable year (including distributions made before such section 988 losses were recouped) would be treated as a return of capital to the Fund’s shareholders (rather than as dividends), thereby reducing the basis of each shareholder’s Fund shares and potentially resulting in a capital gain for any shareholder receiving a distribution greater than such shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in Fund shares (assuming such shares are held as a capital asset).

Upon the sale or other disposition of shares of the Fund, a shareholder may realize a capital gain or loss which may be eligible for reduced U.S. federal income tax rates, generally depending upon the shareholder’s holding period for the shares. A redemption of shares by the Fund generally will be treated as a sale or exchange for these purposes. Any loss recognized on a sale or exchange will be disallowed to the extent the shares disposed of are replaced (including shares acquired pursuant to a dividend reinvestment plan) within a period of 61 days beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after disposition of the shares. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss realized by a shareholder on a disposition of Fund shares held by the shareholder for six months or less generally will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions received by the shareholder with respect to such shares that are treated as long-term capital gains. No gain or loss will be recognized by the Fund shareholder on the conversion or exchange of a class of shares in the Fund to a different class of shares in the same Fund. A shareholder’s tax basis in the class of Fund shares acquired will be the same as such shareholder’s basis in the class of Fund shares converted, and the holding period in the class of Fund shares acquired will include the holding period for the converted Fund shares.

Under certain circumstances the sales charge incurred in acquiring shares of the Fund may not be taken into account in determining the gain or loss on the disposition of those shares. This rule applies if shares of the Fund are

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exchanged within 90 days after the date they were purchased and the new shares are acquired without a sales charge or at a reduced sales charge prior to January 31 of the calendar year following the date of disposition of the original shares. In that case, the gain or loss recognized on the exchange will generally be determined by excluding from the tax basis of the shares exchanged the sales charge that was imposed on the acquisition of those shares to the extent of such reduction to the sales charge upon the exchange. This exclusion applies to the extent that the otherwise applicable sales charge with respect to the newly acquired shares is reduced as a result of having incurred the initial sales charge. The portion of the initial sales charge that is excluded from the basis of the exchanged shares is instead treated as an amount paid for the new shares.

Certain U.S. shareholders, including individuals and estates and trusts, will be subject to an additional 3.8% Medicare tax on all or a portion of their “net investment income,” which should include dividends from the Fund and net gains from the disposition of shares of the Fund. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers regarding the implications of the additional Medicare tax resulting from an investment in the Fund.

The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding taxes on income and gains derived from its investments outside the United States. Such taxes would reduce the yield on the Fund’s investments. Tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of any taxable year consists of stocks or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, to treat any foreign source income or foreign withholding taxes paid by the Fund that can be treated as income taxes under U.S. federal income tax principles, as respectively earned and paid by its shareholders. For any year that the Fund makes such an election, each of its shareholders will be required to include in computing its income its allocable share of such taxes paid by the Fund, and will be entitled, subject to certain limitations, to credit its share of such taxes against its U.S. federal income tax due, if any, or to deduct it (as an itemized deduction, in the case of individual shareholders) from its U.S. federal gross income, if any.

Generally, a credit for foreign taxes is subject to the limitation that it may not exceed the amount of a shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability attributable to its foreign source taxable income. If the Fund is eligible to make the pass-through election described above and such election is in fact made, the source of the Fund’s income flows through to its shareholders. Certain gains from the sale of securities and certain foreign currency gains will not be treated as foreign source taxable income. In addition, this foreign tax credit limitation must be applied separately to certain categories of foreign source income; dividends from the Fund will be treated as either “passive category” or “general category” income for this purpose. As a consequence, some shareholders may not be able to claim a foreign tax credit for the full amount of their proportionate share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund. The foreign tax credit limitation rules do not apply to certain electing individual taxpayers who have limited creditable foreign taxes and no foreign source income other than “qualified passive income.” The foreign tax credit is disallowed with respect to foreign taxes withheld on dividends if the dividend paying shares are held by the Fund for less than 16 days (46 days in the case of preferred shares) during the 31-day period (91-day period for preferred shares) beginning 15 days (45 days for preferred shares) before the shares become ex-dividend. If the Fund is not eligible to make the pass-through election described above, the foreign taxes it pays will reduce its income, if any, and distributions by the Fund will be treated as U.S. source income. Each shareholder will be furnished with a written statement as to whether, pursuant to the election described above, the creditable foreign taxes paid by the Fund will be treated as paid by its shareholders for that year and, if so, such statement will designate (i) such shareholder’s portion of the creditable foreign taxes paid to foreign countries and (ii) the portion of the Fund’s dividends and distributions that represents income derived from sources within such foreign countries. Shareholders would be required to include their proportionate share of foreign taxes paid by the Fund in their U.S. income tax returns as gross income, treat such proportionate share as taxes paid by them, and either deduct such proportionate share of taxes in computing their taxable incomes or, alternatively, claim such amounts as foreign tax credits against their U.S. income taxes. An election to deduct foreign taxes instead of claiming foreign tax credits applies to all foreign taxes paid or accrued in the relevant taxable year. No deduction for foreign taxes may be claimed by noncorporate shareholders who do not itemize deductions. A U.S. nonresident individual or non-U.S. corporation may be subject to U.S. withholding taxes on the gross income resulting from the election described above, but may not be able to claim a credit or deduction against such U.S. tax for the foreign taxes treated as having been paid by such shareholder.

The Fund makes some investments through the Subsidiary and may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary is a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Fund, organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands as an exempted company. Generally, the Subsidiary will invest in commodities and related instruments that would generate non-qualifying income for purposes of the annual 90% gross income test described above if such

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commodities or related instruments were owned directly by the Fund. The Subsidiary will be treated as a “controlled foreign corporation” of the Fund and the Fund will be treated as a “U.S. shareholder” of the Subsidiary. As a result, the Fund will be required to include in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes all of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F income”, whether or not such income is distributed by the Subsidiary. It is expected that all or substantially all of the Subsidiary’s income will be “subpart F income”. The Fund’s recognition of the Subsidiary’s “subpart F income” will increase the Fund’s basis in its shares of the Subsidiary. Distributions by the Subsidiary to the Fund will be tax-free, to the extent of the Subsidiary’s previously undistributed “subpart F income,” and will correspondingly reduce the Fund’s basis in its shares of the Subsidiary. “Subpart F income” is generally treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the Subsidiary’s underlying income. Therefore, the Fund’s investment in the Subsidiary may cause the Fund to realize more ordinary income than would be the case if the Fund invested directly in the investments held by the Subsidiary. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary, such loss is not generally available to offset income earned by the Fund.

As noted above, to qualify as a RIC, the Fund must derive at least 90% of its gross income each taxable year from certain specified sources. Income from direct investments in commodities and certain related instruments generally do not constitute qualifying income for purposes of such annual 90% gross income test. The IRS has issued a number of private letter rulings to RICs concluding that “subpart F income” from an investment in a wholly-owned foreign subsidiary that invests in commodities and related commodity-linked derivatives constitutes qualifying income, but each of these private letter rulings applies only to the taxpayer that received it and may not be used or cited as precedent. Certain First Eagle Funds have obtained a similar ruling from the IRS. However, the IRS has since suspended the issuance of such rulings and has been reviewing its policy in this area, preventing the Fund from requesting and receiving a similar ruling. It is possible that, as a consequence of its review of this area, the IRS will reverse its prior position and publish guidance under which it will take the position that “subpart F income” from the Subsidiary does or will not constitute qualifying income for purposes of the annual 90% gross income test. In such a case, the Fund could fail to qualify as a RIC, could be limited in its ability to implement its current investment strategies and may need to significantly change its investment strategies, which could adversely affect the Fund. The fund also may incur transaction and other costs to comply with any new or additional guidance from the IRS.

Investments by the Fund in stock of certain foreign corporations which generate mostly passive income, or at least half of the assets of which generate such income (referred to as “passive foreign investment companies” or “PFICs”), are subject to special tax rules designed to prevent deferral of U.S. taxation of the Fund’s share of the PFIC’s earnings. In the absence of certain elections to report these earnings on a current basis, the Fund would be required to report certain “excess distributions” from, and any gain from the disposition of stock of, the PFIC as ordinary income. Such ordinary income would be allocated ratably to the Fund’s holding period for the stock. Any amounts allocated to prior taxable years would be taxable to the Fund at the highest rate of tax on ordinary income applicable in that year, increased by an interest charge at the rate prescribed for underpayments of tax, and the Fund would not be able to avoid such tax and interest charge by distributing the “excess distributions” and gain to the Fund’s shareholders. Amounts allocated to the year of the distribution or disposition would be included in the Fund’s net investment income for that year and, to the extent distributed as a dividend to the Fund’s shareholders, would not be taxable to the Fund.

The Fund may elect to mark to market its PFIC stock, resulting in the stock being treated as sold at fair market value on the last business day of each taxable year. Any resulting gain and any gain from an actual disposition of the stock would be reported as ordinary income; any resulting loss and any loss from an actual disposition of the stock would be reported as ordinary loss to the extent of any net gains reported as ordinary income in prior years. Alternatively, the Fund may be able to make an election, known as a qualified electing fund (“QEF”) election, in lieu of being taxable in the manner described above, to include annually in income its pro rata share of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the PFIC, regardless of whether it actually received any distributions from the PFIC. These amounts would be included in the Fund’s investment company taxable income and net capital gain which, to the extent distributed by the Fund as ordinary or capital gain dividends, as the case may be, would not be taxable to the Fund (but would be taxable to shareholders). In order to make a QEF election, the Fund would be required to obtain certain information from PFICs in which it invests, which in many cases may be difficult to obtain.

The Fund may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax currently at the rate of 24% from all distributions and gross sale proceeds payable to shareholders who fail to provide the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number or otherwise fail to comply with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Corporate shareholders and certain other shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding.

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Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be allowed as a refund or a credit against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Under legislation known as “FATCA” (the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act), and applicable “intergovernmental agreements” entered into thereunder, ordinary dividends paid by the Fund to “foreign financial institutions” and certain other foreign entities will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% unless various certification, information reporting, due diligence and other applicable requirements (different from, and in addition to, those described above) are satisfied. In general, no such withholding will occur with respect to a U.S. person or non-U.S. individual that timely provides the Fund with a valid IRS Form W-9 or applicable W-8, respectively. Payments that are taken into account as effectively connected income are not subject to these withholding rules. Foreign shareholders should consult their own tax advisers regarding FATCA and the application of these requirements to their investments in the Fund.

Ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund to shareholders who are non-resident aliens or foreign entities generally will be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax under existing provisions of the Code unless a reduced rate of withholding is provided under an applicable tax treaty. However, certain “interest-related dividends” and “short-term capital gain dividends” paid by the Fund to a foreign shareholder and reported as such are eligible for an exemption from U.S. withholding tax. Interest-related dividends generally are dividends derived from certain interest income earned by the Fund that would not be subject to U.S. withholding tax if earned by a foreign shareholder directly. Short-term capital gain dividends generally are dividends derived from the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses. The Fund does not intend to report interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends. Nonresident shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers concerning the applicability of U.S. withholding tax.

Special rules may apply to shareholders who are non-resident aliens or foreign entities receiving the Fund distribution if at least 50% of the Fund’s assets consist of interests in United States real property interests (as defined in Section 897(c)(1) of the Code), including certain REITs and United States real property holding corporations (as defined in Section 897(c)(2) of the Code). Fund distributions that are attributable to gain from the disposition of a United States real property interest will be taxable as ordinary dividends and subject to withholding at a 30% or lower treaty rate if the foreign shareholder held no more than 5% of the Fund’s shares at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. If the foreign shareholder held at least 5% of the Fund’s shares, the distribution would be treated as income effectively connected with a trade or business within the U.S. and the foreign shareholder would be subject to withholding tax at a rate of 21% and would generally be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return. Similar consequences would generally apply to a foreign shareholder’s gain on the sale of Fund shares unless the Fund is domestically controlled (meaning that more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s shares is held by U.S. shareholders) or the foreign shareholder owns no more than 5% of the Fund’s shares at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of sale. Shareholders that are nonresident aliens or foreign entities are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

Since, at the time of an investor’s purchase of the Fund’s shares, a portion of the per share net asset value by which the purchase price is determined may be represented by realized or unrealized appreciation in the Fund’s portfolio or undistributed income of the Fund, subsequent distributions (or a portion thereof) on such shares may economically represent a return of capital. However, such a subsequent distribution would be taxable to such investor even if the net asset value of the investor’s shares is, as a result of the distributions, reduced below the investor’s cost for such shares. Prior to purchasing shares of the Fund, an investor should carefully consider such tax liability which may be incurred by reason of any subsequent distributions of net investment income and capital gains.

Fund shareholders may be subject to state, local and foreign taxes on their Fund distributions and redemptions of Fund shares. Also, the tax consequences to a foreign shareholder of an investment in the Fund may be different from those described above. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.

PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE

The Adviser is responsible for decisions to buy and sell securities, futures and options on securities, on indices and on futures for the Fund, the selection of brokers, dealers and futures commission merchants to effect those transactions and the negotiations of brokerage commissions, if any. Broker-dealers and futures commission merchants may receive brokerage commissions on Fund portfolio transactions, including options and the purchase and sale of underlying

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securities or futures positions upon the exercise of options. Orders may be directed to any broker or futures commission merchant including, to the extent and in the manner permitted by applicable law.

Substantially all brokers through whom the Adviser executes orders provide proprietary research on general economic trends or particular companies. While not currently utilized, selected brokers may provide third-party research and brokerage services, that is, services obtained by the broker from a third party that the broker then provides to the Adviser. The Adviser may obtain quote and other market data information in this manner. Certain brokers may also invite investment personnel of the Adviser to attend investment conferences sponsored by such brokers.

Brokerage commissions generally are negotiated in the case of U.S. securities transactions, but in the case of foreign securities transactions may be fixed and may be higher than prevailing U.S. rates. Commission rates are established pursuant to negotiations with the executing parties based on the quantity and quality of the execution services.

The Adviser may utilize certain electronic communication networks (“ECNs”) in executing transactions for certain types of securities. These ECNs may charge fees for their services, including access fees and transaction fees. The transaction fees, which are similar to commissions or markups/markdowns, will generally be charged to clients and, like commissions and markups/markdowns, would generally be included in the cost of the securities purchased.

In addition, services may be acquired or received either directly from executing broker-dealers, or indirectly through other broker-dealers in step-out transactions or similar arrangements. A “step-out” is an arrangement by which an investment manager executes a trade through one broker-dealer, but instructs that entity to step-out all or a portion of the trade to another broker-dealer. This second broker-dealer will clear, settle, and receive commissions for, the stepped-out portion.

Equity securities traded in over-the-counter markets, bonds, including convertible bonds, and loans are generally traded on a “net” basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer. In underwritten offerings, securities are purchased at a fixed price which includes an amount of compensation to the underwriters, generally referred to as the underwriter’s concession or discount. On occasion, certain money market instruments and U.S. government agency securities may be purchased directly from the issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid.

In placing orders for portfolio securities or futures, the Adviser seeks to obtain best execution or the most favorable execution under the circumstances. Within the framework of this policy, the Adviser will consider the research and investment services provided by brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants who effect or are parties to portfolio transactions of the Fund, the Adviser or the Adviser’s other clients. Such research and investment services are those which brokerage houses customarily provide to institutional investors and include statistical and economic data and research reports on particular companies and industries. In general, research and brokerage services obtained from brokers are used by the Adviser in connection with all of its investment activities, and some of such services obtained in connection with the execution of transactions for the Fund may be used in managing other investment accounts. Conversely, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants furnishing such services may be selected for the execution of transactions of such other accounts, whose aggregate assets may be smaller or larger than the Fund’s, and the services furnished by such brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants may be used by the Adviser in providing investment management for the Fund. Commission rates are established pursuant to negotiations with the broker, dealer or futures commission merchant based on the quality and quantity of execution services provided by the executing party in light of generally prevailing rates. In addition, the Adviser is authorized to pay higher commissions on brokerage transactions for the Fund to brokers in order to secure the research and investment services described above (sometimes referred to as “soft dollar” arrangements), subject to review by the Board of Trustees from time to time as to the extent and continuation of this practice. The Adviser will voluntarily credit back to the Fund the portion of such commissions paid by the Fund allocable to the provision of research services as described below. The allocation of orders among brokers and the commission rates paid are reviewed periodically by the Board of Trustees.

Independent third-party research is a component of the Fund’s investment selection process and is either paid for directly by the Adviser (referred to as “hard dollar” arrangements) or obtained utilizing “soft dollars” through a commission sharing arrangement (“CSA”). The Adviser may enter into CSAs under which the Adviser may execute transactions through, and obtain research from, a broker-dealer. Under a CSA, the Adviser may request that the broker-dealer allocate a portion of the commissions to another firm that provides research to the Adviser. To the extent that the Adviser engages in commission sharing arrangements, many of the same conflicts related to traditional soft dollar arrangements may exist.

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In purchasing and selling debt instruments, the Adviser ordinarily places transactions with a broker-dealer acting as principal for the instruments on a net basis, with no brokerage commission being paid by the client (although the price usually includes undisclosed compensation) and may involve the designation of selling concessions. Debt instruments may also be purchased from underwriters at prices which include underwriting fees. Any transactions placed through broker-dealers as principals reflect the spread between the bid and ask prices. A First Eagle Fund that invests exclusively or primarily in debt instruments may nonetheless benefit from research and services received through the use of commissions generated by First Eagle Funds investing in equity securities.

The Fund may from time to time sell or purchase securities to or from companies or persons who are considered to be affiliated with that Fund solely because they are investment advisory clients of the Adviser or an affiliate. No consideration other than cash payment against prompt delivery at the then current market price of the securities will be paid to any person involved in those transactions. Additionally, all such transactions will be consistent with procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees.

No brokerage commissions have been paid by the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, because the Fund had not yet commenced investment operations.

The Adviser pays, to the extent possible, in “hard dollars” out of its own resources for external research received by the Adviser, thereby limiting its use of soft dollars. Where the Adviser is not able to pay directly for external research, it continues to use soft dollars paid by the Fund to pay for such research. To the extent the Fund pays commissions that include a research component, the Adviser compensates the Fund for any amounts identified in the CSAs as payments for research in the form of a voluntary reimbursement to the Fund. The payment of hard dollars by the Adviser, combined with the reimbursement of amounts identified as payments for research, results in overall lower trading costs to the Fund’s shareholders relative to prior practices. Any such reimbursement is not considered to be related to a loan or advancement to the Adviser. This is because the payment for research by the Adviser in these circumstances is purely voluntary.

CUSTODY OF PORTFOLIO

The Trust’s custodian and foreign custody manager for the Fund’s assets (and those of certain First Eagle Funds’ subsidiaries) is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 4 Chase Metrotech Center, Floor 16, Brooklyn, New York, 11245.

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), 300 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017-6204 serves as the Trust’s independent registered public accountant. PwC audits the Fund’s financial statements and renders its report thereon, which will be included in the Annual Report to Shareholders.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Fund will furnish, without charge, a copy of the Annual Reports to Shareholders on request. All such requests should be directed to First Eagle Funds, P.O. Box 219324, Kansas City, MO 64121-9324.

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APPENDIX A

RATINGS OF INVESTMENT SECURITIES

The rating of a rating service represents the service’s opinion as to the credit quality of the security being rated. However, the ratings are general and are not absolute standards of quality or guarantees as to the creditworthiness of an issuer. Consequently, the Fund’s investment adviser believes that the quality of debt securities in which the Fund invests should be continuously reviewed. A rating is not a recommendation to purchase, sell or hold a security, because it does not take into account market value or suitability for a particular investor. When a security has received a rating from more than one service, each rating should be evaluated independently. Ratings are based on current information furnished by the issuer or obtained by the ratings services from other sources which they consider reliable. Ratings may be changed, suspended or withdrawn as a result of changes in or unavailability of such information, or for other reasons.

The following is a description of the characteristics of ratings used by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”).

Moody’s Ratings

Aaa—Bonds rated Aaa are judged to be the best quality. They carry the smallest degree of investment risk and are generally referred to as “giltedge.” Interest payments are protected by a large or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is secure. Although the various protective elements are likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally strong position of such bonds.

Aa—Bonds rated Aa are judged to be high quality by all standards. Together with the Aaa group they comprise what are generally known as high grade bonds. They are rated lower than the best bonds because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa bonds or fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude or there may be other elements present which make the long-term risk appear somewhat larger than in Aaa bonds.

A—Bonds rated A possess many favorable investment attributes and are to be considered as upper medium grade obligations. Factors giving security to principal and interest are considered adequate but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility to impairment sometime in the future.

Baa—Bonds rated Baa are considered as medium grade obligations, i.e., they are neither highly protected nor poorly secured. Interest payments and principal security appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time. Such bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and in fact have speculative characteristics as well.

Ba—Bonds rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements; their future cannot be considered as well assured. Often the protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. Uncertainty of position characterizes bonds in this class.

B—Bonds rated B generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment. Assurance of interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the contract over any long period of time may be small.

Caa—Bonds rated Caa are of poor standing. Such bonds may be in default or there may be present elements of danger with respect to principal or interest.

Ca—Bonds rated Ca represent obligations which are speculative in a high degree. Such bonds are often in default or have other marked shortcomings.

C—Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds, and can be regarded as having extremely poor prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing.

1, 2, or 3

Numerical modifiers 1, 2, 3 to each Moody’s rating category from Aa through Caa to show standing within the rating category.

S&P Ratings

AAA—Bonds rated AAA have the highest rating. Capacity to pay principal and interest is extremely strong.

A-1


 

AA—Bonds rated AA have a very strong capacity to pay principal and interest and differ from AAA bonds only in small degree.

A—Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although they are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than bonds in higher rated categories.

BBB—Bonds rated BBB are regarded as having an adequate capacity to pay principal and interest. Whereas they normally exhibit protection parameters, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay principal and interest than for bonds in higher rated categories.

BB—B—CCC—CC—Bonds rated BB, B, CCC and CC are regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation among such bonds and CC the highest degree of speculation. Although such bonds will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.

C—A C rating is assigned to bonds that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or bonds of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. The C rating may be assigned to bonds on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with relevant terms of the instrument.

D—Bonds rated D are in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on a bond are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on a bond are jeopardized.

Plus (+) or minus (-)

The S&P ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

A-2

 

 

FIRST EAGLE FUNDS
PART C

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 28. Exhibits

 

EXHIBIT  
(a) Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of Registrant.
(b) Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant.
(c) Specimen Certificates representing shares of Common Stock ($.001 par value).(1)
(d)(1) Investment Advisory Contract between the Registrant and First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (“FEIM”).
(d)(2) Investment Advisory Contract between the Registrant and FEIM with respect to First Eagle Fund of America.
(d)(3) Investment Advisory Contract between the Registrant and FEIM with respect to First Eagle High Yield Fund.
(d)(4) Investment Advisory Contract between the Registrant and FEIM with respect to First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund.
(d)(5) Investment Advisory Contract between FEIM and First Eagle Global Cayman Fund, Ltd.
(d)(6) Investment Advisory Contract between FEIM and First Eagle Overseas Cayman Fund, Ltd.
(d)(7) Investment Advisory Contract between FEIM and First Eagle U.S. Value Cayman Fund, Ltd.
(d)(8) Investment Advisory Contract between FEIM and First Eagle Gold Cayman Fund, Ltd.
(d)(9) FEIM side letter with respect to FEIM investment management fee amendment for First Eagle Fund of America.
(d)(10) Investment Advisory Contract between the Registrant and FEIM with respect to First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund.
(d)(11) Investment Advisory Contract between the Registrant and FEIM with respect to First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund. Filed herewith.
(d)(12) Investment Advisory Contract between FEIM and First Eagle Global Real Assets Cayman Fund, Ltd. Filed herewith.
(e)(1) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and FEF Distributors, LLC. (“FEF Distributors”). Filed herewith.
(e)(2) Form of Selling Group Agreement.
(f) Not applicable.
(g)(1) Amended and Restated Global Custody Agreement between each entity managed by FEIM and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A, dated October 1, 2021 with amended Exhibit A, dated as of October 1, 2021. Filed herewith.
(g)(2) Reserved
(g)(3) Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc.
(g)(4) Amendment to Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., dated August 10, 2020.
(g)(5) Amendment to Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., dated September 27, 2021. Filed herewith.
(h)(1) Administrative Services Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf of First Eagle High Yield Fund) and FEIM.
(h)(2) Administrative Services Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf of First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund) and FEIM.
(h)(3) Amended and Restated Fee Waiver Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf of First Eagle U.S. Value Fund) and FEIM.
(h)(4) Amended and Restated Fee Waiver Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf of First Eagle U.S. Value Cayman Fund) and FEIM.
(h)(5) Amended and Restated Fee Waiver Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf of First Eagle High Income Fund) and FEIM.
(h)(6) Reserved.
(h)(7) Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(h)(8)   Amended and Restated Fund Services Agreement between the Registrants and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Filed herewith.
(h)(9) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf of First Eagle Fund of America) and FEIM.
(h)(10) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf of First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund) and FEIM.
(h)(11) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf of First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund and FEIM. Filed herewith.
(i) Not applicable.
(j)(1) Reserved.
(j)(2) Shearman & Sterling LLP Opinion with respect to 2004 Reorganization.
(j)(3) Stradley Ronan Stevens & Young, LLP Opinion with respect to the tax consequences of the 2011 Reorganization.
 
EXHIBIT  
(j)(4) Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. Opinion with respect to the offering of shares of First Eagle High Yield Fund.
(j)(5) Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. Opinion with respect to the offering of shares of First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund.
(j)(6) Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. Opinion with respect to the offering of shares of First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund. Filed herewith.
(k) Not applicable.
(l) Not applicable.
(m) Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan and Agreement between the Registrant and FEF Distributors. Filed herewith.
(n) Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3. Filed herewith.
(o) Not applicable.
(p) Code of Ethics.
(q)(1) Powers of Attorney of Lisa Anderson, John P. Arnhold, Candace K. Beinecke, Jean D. Hamilton, James E. Jordan, William M. Kelly and Paul J. Lawler.
(q)(2) Power of Attorney of Peter W. Davidson.
(q)(3) Powers of Attorney of Glenn Mitchell and Masciline Chinongoza. Filed herewith.
   
(1) Incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 filed on or about August 30, 1993.
 

Item 29. Person Controlled or Under Common Control With Registrant

 

None.

 

Item 30. Indemnification

 

Reference is made to the provisions of Article Three, Section Seven and Article Seven, Section Two of Registrant’s Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which document is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 811-7762) filed on December 23, 2016, together with the entirety of Article Six of Registrant’s Amended and Restated By-Laws, which document is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File No. 811-7762) filed on December 23, 2016.

 

The general effect of these provisions, and related statutory indemnification benefits as may be available under Delaware or other applicable state or federal laws, is to protect trustees, officers, employees and agents of Registrant against legal liability and expenses incurred by reason of their service to Registrant. In accord with the foregoing, Registrant shall indemnify its trustees, officers, employees and agents against judgments, fines, penalties, settlements and expenses to the fullest extent authorized, and in the manner permitted, by applicable state and federal law.

 

In addition, the Registrant will maintain a trustees’ and officers’ errors and omissions liability insurance policy protecting directors and officers against liability for claims made by reason of any acts, errors or omissions committed in their capacity as trustees or officers. The policy will contain certain exclusions, among which is exclusion from coverage for active or deliberate dishonest or fraudulent acts and exclusion for fines or penalties imposed by law or other matters deemed uninsurable.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser

 

First Eagle Investment Management, LLC is the Registrant’s investment adviser. Its primary office is located at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10105. In addition to the Registrant, First Eagle Investment Management, LLC acts as investment adviser to First Eagle Variable Funds and to certain investment vehicles and accounts not subject to registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

First Eagle Investment Management, LLC is a subsidiary of First Eagle Holdings, Inc. (“First Eagle Holdings”), a privately-owned holding company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, which has a substantial amount of assets under management in the form of non-collective vehicle accounts, and, through the Adviser, Fund accounts, other pooled investment vehicles, and clients including corporations, foundations, major retirement plans and high net worth individuals. In connection with another subsidiary, FEF Distributors, LLC, a registered broker-dealer, the principal underwriter to the Registrant, First Eagle Holdings is substantially involved in the distribution of mutual fund shares. The business and other connections of the Adviser’s officers are as follows:

 

Name   Position with the
Adviser
  Business and Other
Connections
         
Mehdi Mahmud   President and Chief Executive Officer   Trustee and President, First Eagle Funds and First Variable Funds; Director, First Eagle Amundi; Chief Executive Officer, First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC; Trustee and President, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund; prior to March 2016, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jennison Associates LLC; prior to 2012, Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer, Jennison Associates LLC
         
David O’Connor   General Counsel and Senior Vice President   General Counsel, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds; General Counsel, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund; General Counsel, First Eagle Holdings, Inc.; Secretary and General Counsel, FEF Distributors, LLC; Director, First Eagle Amundi; Director, First Eagle Investment Management, Ltd; Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC; prior to January 2017, Investment Management Consultant; prior to June 2015, Executive Vice President Strategic Investment Initiatives and General Counsel, Delaware Investments
         
Robert Bruno   Senior Vice President   President, FEF Distributors, LLC; Senior Vice President, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds; Senior Vice President, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund
         
Brian Margulies   Chief Financial Officer   Senior Vice President, First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC; prior to January 2020, Chief Financial Officer, Goldman Sachs’s investment management division
         
Albert Pisano   Chief Compliance Officer, Senior Vice President   Chief Compliance Officer, First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds; Chief Compliance Officer, First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund; prior to June 30, 2014, Director and Chief Compliance Officer of Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC, and also served as Deputy Chief Compliance Officer for Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC

 

Additional information regarding First Eagle Investment Management, LLC is provided in the body of this Registration Statement on Form N-1A under the heading “Investment Advisory and Other Services.”

 

Item 32. Principal Underwriters

 

(a) FEF Distributors, LLC is the Registrant’s distributor (the “Distributor”). It also serves as principal underwriter for First Eagle Variable Funds.
   
(b) The positions and offices of the Distributor’s directors and officers who serve the Registrant are as follows:
 
Name and Business
Address*
  Position and Offices with
Underwriter
  Position and Offices with Registrant
         
Robert Bruno   President   Senior Vice President
David O’Connor   Secretary   General Counsel
Modestino Carullo   Chief Compliance Officer   AML Officer
Michael Luzzatto   Vice President   Vice President
         

 

* The address of each person named above is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105.
   
(c) The Registrant has no principal underwriter which is not an affiliated person of the Registrant.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

 

Omitted pursuant to Instruction 3 of Item 33 of Form N-1A.

 

Item 34. Management Services Not applicable.

 

Item 35. Undertakings

 

The Registrant undertakes to call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the question of removal of a director, if requested to do so by the holders of at least 10% of a Fund’s outstanding shares, and that it will assist communication with other shareholders as required by Section 16(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for the effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Registrant has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York and State of New York, as of the 30th day of November, 2021.

 

FIRST EAGLE FUNDS  
     
By:  /s/ MEHDI MAHMUD  
     
  MEHDI MAHMUD
PRESIDENT (AND IN THE CAPACITY OF
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER)
 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

SIGNATURE   CAPACITY   DATE
         
/s/ LISA ANDERSON*   Trustee   November 30, 2021
(LISA ANDERSON)        
         
/s/ JOHN P. ARNHOLD*   Trustee   November 30, 2021
(JOHN P. ARNHOLD)        
         
/s/ CANDACE K. BEINECKE*   Trustee   November 30, 2021
(CANDACE K. BEINECKE)        
         
/s/ PETER W. DAVIDSON*   Trustee   November 30, 2021
(PETER W. DAVIDSON)        
         
/s/ JEAN D. HAMILTON*   Trustee   November 30, 2021
(JEAN D. HAMILTON)        
         
/s/ JAMES E. JORDAN*   Trustee   November 30, 2021
(JAMES E. JORDAN)        
         
/s/ WILLIAM M. KELLY*   Trustee   November 30, 2021
(WILLIAM M. KELLY)        
         
/s/ PAUL J. LAWLER*   Trustee   November 30, 2021
(PAUL J. LAWLER)        
         
/s/ MEHDI MAHMUD   Trustee   November 30, 2021
(MEHDI MAHMUD)        
         
/s/ JOSEPH MALONE*   Chief Financial Officer (and in the capacity of Principal
Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)
  November 30, 2021
(JOSEPH MALONE)        
         
         
*By: /S/ SHEELYN MICHAEL  
  Sheelyn Michael  
  Power-of-Attorney  
 

SIGNATURES

 

First Eagle Global Real Assets Cayman Fund, Ltd. has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of New York and State of New York, as of the 30th day of November, 2021.

 

FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL REAL ASSETS CAYMAN FUND, LTD.

 

SIGNATURE   CAPACITY   DATE
         
/s/  GLENN MITCHELL*   Director   November 30, 2021
GLENN MITCHELL        
         
/s/ MASCILINE CHINONGOZA*   Director   November 30, 2021
MASCILINE CHINONGOZA        
         

 

*By: /S/ SHEELYN MICHAEL  
  Sheelyn Michael  
  Power-of-Attorney  
 

Exhibit Index

 

EXHIBIT  
(d)(11) Investment Advisory Contract between the Registrant and FEIM with respect to First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund
(d)(12) Investment Advisory Contract between FEIM and First Eagle Global Real Assets Cayman Fund, Ltd. 
(e)(1) Underwriting Agreement between the Registrant and FEF Distributors, LLC. (“FEF Distributors”)
(g)(1) Amended and Restated Global Custody Agreement between each entity managed by FEIM and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A, dated October 1, 2021 with amended Exhibit A, dated as of October 1, 2021
(g)(5) Amendment to Transfer Agency Agreement between the Registrant and DST Systems, Inc., dated September 27, 2021
(h)(8) Amended and Restated Fund Services Agreement between the Registrants and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
(h)(11) Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant (on behalf of First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund and FEIM 
(j)(6) Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A. Opinion with respect to the offering of shares of First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund
(m) Rule 12b-1 Distribution Plan and Agreement between the Registrant and FEF Distributors
(n) Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 
(q)(3) Powers of Attorney of Glenn Mitchell and Masciline Chinongoza
 
~ http://www.firsteagle.com/20211130/role/ScheduleShareholderFees20001 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000906352_S000074462Member row primary compact * ~ ~ http://www.firsteagle.com/20211130/role/ScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpenses20002 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000906352_S000074462Member row primary compact * ~ ~ http://www.firsteagle.com/20211130/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleTransposed20003 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000906352_S000074462Member row primary compact * ~ ~ http://www.firsteagle.com/20211130/role/ScheduleExpenseExampleNoRedemptionTransposed20004 column dei_LegalEntityAxis compact cik0000906352_S000074462Member row primary compact * ~ First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (“FEIM”) has contractually agreed to waive and/or reimburse certain fees and expenses of Classes A, I and R6 so that the total annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales, and extraordinary expenses, if any) (“annual operating expenses”) of each class are limited to 1.10%, 0.85% and 0.85% of average net assets, respectively. Each of these undertakings lasts until February 28, 2023 and may not be terminated during its term without the consent of the Board of Trustees. The Fund has agreed that each of Classes A, I and R6 will repay FEIM for fees and expenses waived or reimbursed for the class provided that repayment does not cause annual operating expenses (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed either: (1) 1.10%, 0.85% and 0.85% of the class’ average net assets, respectively; or (2) if applicable, the then-current expense limitations. Any such repayment must be made within three years after the year in which FEIM incurred the expense. false 2021-11-30 2021-11-30 485BPOS 0000906352 0000906352 2021-11-30 2021-11-30 0000906352 cik0000906352:S000074462Member 2021-11-30 2021-11-30 0000906352 cik0000906352:S000074462Member cik0000906352:C000232393Member 2021-11-30 2021-11-30 0000906352 cik0000906352:S000074462Member cik0000906352:C000232392Member 2021-11-30 2021-11-30 0000906352 cik0000906352:S000074462Member cik0000906352:C000232391Member 2021-11-30 2021-11-30 xbrli:pure iso4217:USD

Exhibit 99.(d)(11)

 

FIRST EAGLE FUNDS
(FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL REAL ASSETS FUND)
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

This Investment Advisory Agreement, is entered into as of September 9, 2021 by and between FIRST EAGLE FUNDS, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”) with respect to FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL REAL ASSETS FUND (a series of the Trust and referred to herein as the “Fund”) and FIRST EAGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC, a registered investment adviser organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Adviser”).

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

 

WHEREAS, the Fund is a separate portfolio and series of shares of the Trust with assets and liabilities thereof limited to such portfolio under the terms set out in Article III of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust;

 

WHEREAS, the parties wish to enter into an investment advisory agreement and act under such agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. The Trust hereby appoints the Adviser to act as investment adviser to the Fund, for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein described, for the compensation herein provided.

 

2. Subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board of Trustees”), the Adviser shall manage the investment operations of the Trust and the Fund and the composition of the Fund’s portfolio, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective, policies and restrictions as stated in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Fund and subject to the following understandings:

 

(a) The Adviser shall provide supervision of the Fund’s investments and determine from time to time what investments, securities or commodity futures contracts and options thereon (“futures”) will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Fund, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested.

 

(b) The Adviser shall use its best judgment in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.

 

(c) The Adviser, in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, shall act in conformity with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Fund and with the instructions and directions of the Board of

 

Trustees and will conform to and comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations.

 

(d) The Adviser shall determine the investments, securities and futures to be purchased or sold by the Fund and will place orders pursuant to its determinations with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants (which may include affiliates of the Adviser) in conformity with the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Fund’s current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information or as the Board of Trustees may direct from time to time.

 

(e) The Adviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Fund’s portfolio transactions that the Fund is required to keep under Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.

 

(f) The Adviser shall provide the Fund on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the Fund’s assets.

 

(g) The investment management services provided by the Adviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others.

 

(h) Nothing herein shall prohibit the Board of Trustees from approving the payment by the Trust of additional compensation to others for consulting services, supplemental research and security and economic analysis.

 

3. The Fund has delivered (or will deliver the same as soon as available) to the Adviser copies of each of the following documents and will deliver to it all future amendments and supplements, if any:

 

(a) Certified resolutions of the Board of Trustees authorizing the appointment of the Adviser and approving the form of this Agreement;

 

(b) The Registration Statement under the 1940 Act, as amended, on Form N-1A (the “Registration Statement”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) relating to the Fund and all amendments thereto;

 

(c) The Fund’s Notification of Registration of under the 1940 Act on Form N-8A as filed with the Commission and all amendments thereto; and

 

(d) Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Fund (such Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented, from time to time, being herein called the “Prospectus”).

 

4. The Adviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as directors or officers of the Fund to serve in the capacities in which they are elected. Services to be furnished by the Adviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.

 

5. The Adviser shall keep the Fund’s books and records required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 2 hereof. The Adviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund are

2

the property of the Fund and it will surrender promptly to the Fund any of such records upon the Fund’s request. The Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by the Adviser pursuant to paragraph 2 hereof.

 

6. (a) For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement by the Adviser, the Fund will pay monthly an investment management fee at the annual rate of 0.65% of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Net assets of the Fund shall be computed on such days and at such time or times as described in the Fund’s then-current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for such part of a month shall be prorated and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement.

 

(b) The Adviser will provide investment, advisory, research and statistical facilities and all clerical services relating to research, statistical and investment work. (In this regard, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, it is understood that this Agreement does not obligate the Adviser to pay for the maintenance of the Trust’s general ledger and securities cost ledger or for daily pricing of the Trust’s securities.) The Adviser will not be required hereunder to pay any expenses of the Trust other than those above enumerated in this paragraph 6(b). In particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser will not be required to pay hereunder: brokers’ commissions; legal or auditing expenses of the Trust or related to investments and assets of the Trust; taxes or governmental fees; any direct expenses of issue, sale, underwriting, distribution, redemption or repurchase of the Trust’s securities; the expenses of registering or qualifying securities for sale; the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to stockholders; the fees or disbursements of dividend, disbursing, shareholder, transfer or other agent; or the fees or disbursements of custodians of the Trust’s assets. For the avoidance of doubt, any service required by the Trust that is not a responsibility of the Adviser hereunder may be separately contracted with the Adviser and its affiliates, in which case the Adviser or such affiliate will be separately compensated.

 

7. The Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services (in which case any award of damages shall be limited to the period and the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of the 1940 Act) or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

 

8. This Agreement shall continue for an initial two-year term after the effective date hereof and from year to year thereafter, but only so long as such year to year continuance is specifically approved at least annually in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting interests (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, or by the Adviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) by the Adviser.

3

9. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Adviser’s directors, officers, or employees who may also be a director, officer or employee of the Fund to engage in any other business or to devote time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Adviser’s right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.

 

10. Except as otherwise provided herein or authorized by the Board of Trustees, from time to time, the Adviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall have no authority to act for or represent the Fund in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Fund.

 

11. During the term of this Agreement, the Fund agrees to furnish the Adviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, reports to Shareholders, sales literature, or other material prepared for distribution to Shareholders of the Fund or the public, which refer to the Adviser in any way, prior to use thereof and not to use such material if the Adviser reasonably objects in writing within five business days (or such other time as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. In the event of termination of this Agreement, the Fund will continue to furnish to the Adviser copies of any of the above-mentioned materials which refer in any way to the Adviser. Sales literature may be furnished to the Adviser hereunder by first class or overnight mail, facsimile transmission equipment or hand delivery. The Fund shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Adviser such other information relating to the business affairs of the Fund as the Adviser at any time, or from time to time, reasonably requests in order to discharge its obligations hereunder.

 

12. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Fund must be approved in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

13. Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Adviser at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105, Attention: General Counsel; or (2) to the Fund at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105, Attention: Secretary.

 

14. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement shall not be construed to require, or to impose any duty upon, either of the parties to do anything in violation of any applicable laws or regulations.

 

15. The Fund may use the name “First Eagle” in connection with the name of the Fund or any variant thereof, only for so long as this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment hereof remain in effect, including any similar agreement with any organization which shall have succeeded to the Adviser’s business as investment adviser, or the Distribution and Services Agreement between the Fund and FEF Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof, remains in effect, including any similar agreement with any organization which shall have succeeded to the Distributor’s business as distributor. At such time as such Agreement shall no longer be in effect, the Fund will (to the extent that it lawfully

4

can) cease to use such a name or any other name indicating that it is advised by, managed by or otherwise connected with the Adviser, the Distributor or any organization which shall have so succeeded to such businesses. In no event shall the Fund use the names “First Eagle Investment Management,” or any variant thereof if the Adviser’s or Distributor’s functions are transferred or assigned to a company of which First Eagle Holdings, Inc. does not have control. In the event that such Agreement shall no longer be in effect or the Adviser’s or Distributor’s functions are transferred or assigned to a company of which First Eagle Holdings, Inc. does not have control, the Fund shall use its best efforts to legally change its name by filing the required documentation with appropriate state and federal agencies.

 

16. If any occasion should arise in which the Adviser gives any advice to its clients concerning the shares of the Trust, the Adviser will act solely as investment counsel for such clients and not in any way on behalf of the Trust except to the extent that the Adviser is acting as principal underwriter of the Shares of the Funds. In connection with purchases or sales of portfolio securities for the account of a Fund, neither the Adviser nor any of its Trustees, officers or employees will act as a principal.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

5

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.

 

FIRST EAGLE FUNDS

 

By: /s/ Sheelyn Michael  

 

Name: SHEELYN MICHAEL

 

Title: Secretary

 

FIRST EAGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC

 

By: /s/Mehdi Mahmud  

 

Name: MEHDI MAHMUD

 

Title: President and CEO

6

Exhibit 99.(d)(12)

 

FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL REAL ASSETS CAYMAN FUND, LTD.
(FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL REAL ASSETS FUND)

 

INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT

 

This Investment Advisory Agreement, is entered into as of September 9, 2021 by and between FIRST EAGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC, a registered investment adviser organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Adviser”), and First Eagle Global Real Assets Cayman Fund, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Subsidiary”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the First Eagle Funds, a Delaware statutory trust and open-ended investment company (the “Trust”), on behalf of its series, First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund (the “Global Real Assets Fund”). The purpose of the Subsidiary is to facilitate the implementation of the Global Real Assets Fund’s investment strategies.

 

WITNESSETH:

 

WHEREAS, the Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Global Real Assets Fund is a separate portfolio and series of shares of the Trust with assets and liabilities thereof limited to such portfolio under the terms set out in Article III of the Trust’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. The Subsidiary hereby appoints the Adviser to act as investment adviser to the Subsidiary, for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein described, for the compensation herein provided.

 

2. Subject ultimately to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board of Trustees”), the Adviser shall manage the investment operations of the Subsidiary and the composition of the Subsidiary’s portfolio, including the purchase, retention and disposition thereof, in accordance with the Subsidiary’s investment objective, policies and restrictions as stated in the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Global Real Assets Fund and subject to the following understandings:

 

(a) The Adviser shall provide supervision of the Subsidiary’s investments and determine from time to time what investments, securities or commodity futures contracts and options thereon (“futures”) will be purchased, retained, sold or loaned by the Subsidiary, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested.

 

(b) The Adviser shall use its best judgment in the performance of its duties under this Agreement.

 

(c) The Adviser, in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, shall act in conformity with the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Global Real Assets Fund and with the instructions and directions of the Board of Trustees (and the Board of Directors of the Subsidiary) and the Adviser acknowledges that it is hereby directed not to permit its activities on behalf of the Subsidiary to cause a violation of the 1940 Act on the part of the Global Real Assets Fund.

 

(d) The Adviser shall determine the investments, securities and futures to be purchased or sold by the Subsidiary and will place orders pursuant to its determinations with or through such persons, brokers, dealers or futures commission merchants (which may include affiliates of the Adviser) in conformity with the policy with respect to brokerage as set forth in the Global Real Assets Fund’s current Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information or as the Board of Trustees may direct from time to time.

 

(e) The Adviser shall maintain all books and records with respect to the Subsidiary’s portfolio transactions that the Subsidiary is required to keep under Rule 3la-l under the 1940 Act.

 

(f) The Adviser shall provide the Subsidiary on each business day with information relating to all transactions concerning the Subsidiary’s assets.

 

(g) The investment management services provided by the Adviser hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others.

 

(h) Nothing herein shall prohibit the Board of Trustees from approving the payment by the Trust of additional compensation to others for consulting services, supplemental research and security and economic analysis.

 

3. The Subsidiary has delivered (or will deliver the same as soon as available) to the Adviser copies of each of the following documents and will deliver to it all future amendments and supplements, if any:

 

(a) Certified resolutions of the Board of Trustees (and of the Board of Directors of the Subsidiary) authorizing/ratifying the appointment of the Adviser and approving/ratifying the form of this Agreement;

 

(b) The Registration Statement under the 1940 Act, as amended, on Form N-lA (the “Registration Statement”), as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) relating to the Global Real Assets Fund and all amendments thereto; and

 

(c) Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information of the Global Real Assets Fund (such Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, as currently in effect and as amended or supplemented, from time to time, being herein called the “Prospectus”).

 

4. The Adviser shall authorize and permit any of its directors, officers and employees who may be elected as directors or officers of the Subsidiary to serve in the capacities in which

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they are elected. Services to be furnished by the Adviser under this Agreement may be furnished through the medium of any of such directors, officers or employees.

 

5. The Adviser shall keep the Subsidiary’s books and records required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 2 hereof. The Adviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Subsidiary are the property of the Subsidiary and it will surrender promptly to the Subsidiary any of such records upon the Subsidiary’s request. The Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Commission under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by the Adviser pursuant to paragraph 2 hereof.

 

6. (a) For the services provided pursuant to this Agreement by the Adviser, the Subsidiary will pay monthly an investment management fee at the annual rate of 0.65% of the average daily net assets of the Subsidiary (which amount alternatively may be paid, in the discretion of the Adviser, at the level of the Global Real Assets Fund and calculated by reference to such fund’s daily net assets attributable to the Subsidiary). Upon any termination of this Agreement before the end of any month, the fee for such part of a month shall be prorated and shall be payable upon the date of termination of this Agreement.

 

(b) The Adviser will provide investment, advisory, research and statistical facilities and all clerical services relating to research, statistical and investment work. (In this regard, and notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, it is understood that this Agreement does not obligate the Adviser to pay for the maintenance of the Subsidiary’s general ledger and securities cost ledger or for daily pricing of the Subsidiary’s securities.) The Adviser will not be required hereunder to pay any expenses of the Subsidiary other than those above enumerated in this paragraph 6(b). In particular, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Adviser will not be required to pay hereunder: brokers’ commissions; legal or auditing expenses of the Subsidiary or related to investments and assets of the Subsidiary; taxes or governmental fees; any direct expenses of issue, sale, underwriting, distribution, redemption or repurchase of the Subsidiary’s securities; the expenses of registering or qualifying securities for sale; the cost of preparing and distributing reports and notices to stockholders; the fees or disbursements of dividend, disbursing, shareholder, transfer or other agent; or the fees or disbursements of custodians of the Subsidiary’s assets. For the avoidance of doubt, any service required by the Subsidiary that is not a responsibility of the Adviser hereunder may be separately contracted with the Adviser and its affiliates, in which case the Adviser or such affiliate will be separately compensated.

 

7. The Adviser shall not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Subsidiary in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates, except a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services (in which case any award of damages shall be limited to the period and the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of the 1940 Act) or a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on its part in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard by it of its obligations and duties under this Agreement.

 

8. This Agreement shall continue in force only so long as the corresponding agreement for the Global Real Assets Fund remains in force and shall be subject to

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regular periodic reviews by the Board of Trustees in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act; provided, however, that this Agreement may be terminated by the Subsidiary at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board of Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting interests (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Global Real Assets Fund, or by the Adviser at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on not more than 60 days’ nor less than 30 days’ written notice to the other party. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act) by the Adviser.

 

9. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit or restrict the right of any of the Adviser’s directors, officers, or employees who may also be a director, officer or employee of the Subsidiary to engage in any other business or to devote time and attention in part to the management or other aspects of any business, whether of a similar or a dissimilar nature, nor limit or restrict the Adviser’s right to engage in any other business or to render services of any kind to any other corporation, firm, individual or association.

 

10. Except as otherwise provided herein or authorized by the Board of Trustees (and the Board of Directors of the Subsidiary), from time to time, the Adviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall have no authority to act for or represent the Subsidiary in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Subsidiary.

 

11. The Adviser relies on the exemptions for registered commodity trading advisors (“CTAs”) under Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) Rule 4.7. The Subsidiary represents, warrants and covenants that it is a “qualified eligible person” (“QEP”) as defined in CFTC Rule 4.7, consents to being treated as an exempt account under CFTC Rule 4.7, and agrees to promptly notify the Adviser if the Subsidiary ceases to be a QEP. The Adviser is registered as a commodity pool operator with the CFTC and is a member of the U.S. National Futures Association in such capacity to the extent, if any, required by the Subsidiary’s activities.

 

12. The Subsidiary shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Adviser such information relating to the business affairs of the Subsidiary as the Adviser at any time, or from time to time, reasonably requests in order to discharge its obligations hereunder.

 

13. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement may be amended by mutual consent, but the consent of the Subsidiary must be approved in conformity with the requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

14. Any notice or other communication required to be given pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed duly given if delivered or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, (1) to the Adviser at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105, Attention: General Counsel; or (2) to the Subsidiary at Maples Corporate Services Limited, PO Box 309 Ugland House, Grand Cayman KY1-1104, Cayman Islands, Attention: Board of Directors, with a copy to the Global Real Assets Fund at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105, Attention: Secretary.

 

15. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement shall not be construed to require, or to impose any duty upon, either of the parties to do anything in violation of any applicable laws or regulations.

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16. The Subsidiary may use the name “First Eagle” in connection with the name of the Subsidiary or any variant thereof, only for so long as this Agreement or any extension, renewal or amendment hereof remain in effect, including any similar agreement with any organization which shall have succeeded to the Adviser’s business as investment adviser, or the Distribution and Services Agreement between the Global Real Assets Fund and FEF Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”) or any extension, renewal or amendment thereof, remains in effect, including any similar agreement with any organization which shall have succeeded to the Distributor’s business as distributor. At such time as such Agreement shall no longer be in effect, the Subsidiary will (to the extent that it lawfully can) cease to use such a name or any other name indicating that it is advised by, managed by or otherwise connected with the Adviser, the Distributor or any organization which shall have so succeeded to such businesses. In no event shall the Subsidiary use the name “First Eagle Investment Management,” or any variant thereof if the Adviser’s or Distributor’s functions are transferred or assigned to a company of which First Eagle Holdings, Inc. does not have control. In the event that such Agreement shall no longer be in effect or the Adviser’s or Distributor’s functions are transferred or assigned to a company of which First Eagle Holdings, Inc. does not have control, the Subsidiary shall use its best efforts to legally change its name by filing the required documentation with appropriate state and federal agencies.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed by their officers designated below as of the day and year first above written.

       
  FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL REAL ASSETS CAYMAN FUND LTD.
       
  By: /s/ Glenn Mitchell  

 

  FIRST EAGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
       
  By: /s/ Mehdi Mahmud            

 

PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH ACCOUNTS OF QUALIFIED ELIGIBLE PERSONS, THIS BROCHURE OR ACCOUNT DOCUMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE, AND HAS NOT BEEN, FILED WITH THE COMMISSION. THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION DOES NOT PASS UPON THE MERITS OF PARTICIPATING IN A TRADING PROGRAM OR UPON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF COMMODITY TRADING ADVISOR DISCLOSURE. CONSEQUENTLY, THE COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION HAS NOT REVIEWED OR APPROVED THIS TRADING PROGRAM OR THIS BROCHURE OR ACCOUNT DOCUMENT.

 

Exhibit 99.(e)(1)

 

FIRST EAGLE FUNDS
(FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL FUND, FIRST EAGLE OVERSEAS FUND, FIRST EAGLE GOLD FUND, FIRST EAGLE U.S. VALUE FUND, First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund, First Eagle High INCOME Fund, First Eagle Fund of America, First Eagle SMALL CAP OPPORTUNITY Fund AND FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL REAL ASSETS FUND)

 

1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10105

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED Underwriting Agreement

 

This Amended and Restated Underwriting Agreement, is entered into as of September 9, 2021 by and between First Eagle Funds (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust currently consisting of the portfolios listed on Schedule A, attached hereto, together with all other portfolios subsequently established and made subject to this Agreement and FEF Distributors, LLC.

 

Whereas, the Trust and FEF Distributors, LLC are parties to that certain Underwriting Agreement entered into as of December 1, 2015, as subsequently amended on June 8, 2017;

 

Whereas, the Trust’s Board of Trustees has selected FEF Distributors, LLC to act as principal underwriter (as such term is defined in Section 2(a)(29) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) of the shares of beneficial interest of the Trust and FEF Distributors, LLC is willing to act as such principal underwriter and to perform the duties and functions of underwriter in the manner and on the conditions hereinafter set forth.

 

Accordingly, the Trust hereby agrees with FEF Distributors, LLC as follows:

 

1.       Copies of Trust Documents. The Trust will furnish FEF Distributors, LLC promptly with copies of any registration statements filed by it with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), and the 1940 Act, together with any financial statements and exhibits included therein, and all amendments or supplements thereto hereafter filed.

 

2.       Registration and Sale of Additional Shares. The Trust will from time to time use its best efforts to register under the 1933 Act such authorized shares of beneficial interest not already so registered as FEF Distributors, LLC may reasonably be expected to sell as agent on behalf of the Trust. To the extent that there will be available for sale such number of shares as FEF Distributors, LLC may reasonably be expected to sell, the Trust, subject to the necessary approval of its shareholders, will, from time to time as may be necessary, increase the number of authorized shares. This Agreement relates to the issue and sale of shares that are duly authorized and registered and available for sale by the Trust, including repurchased and redeemed shares if and to the extent that they may be legally sold and if, but only if, the Trust sees fit to sell them. FEF Distributors, LLC and the Trust will cooperate in taking such action as may be necessary from time to time to qualify shares of the Trust for sale in New York and in

 

any other states mutually agreeable to FEF Distributors, LLC and the Trust, and to maintain such qualification, provided that such shares are duly registered under the 1933 Act.

 

The Trust represents to FEF Distributors, LLC that all registration statements and prospectuses filed by the Trust with the SEC under the 1933 Act and under the 1940 Act with respect to the shares have been prepared in conformity with the requirements of said Acts and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder. As used in this Agreement, the terms “registration statement” and “prospectus” shall mean any registration statement and prospectus, including the statement of additional information incorporated by reference therein, filed with the SEC and any amendments and supplements thereto which at any time shall have been filed with the SEC. The Trust represents and warrants to FEF Distributors, LLC that any registration statement and prospectus, when such registration statement becomes effective, will contain all statements required to be stated therein in conformity with said Acts and the rules and regulations of the SEC; that all statements of fact contained in any such registration statement and prospectus will be true and correct when such registration statement becomes effective; and that neither any registration statement nor any prospectus when such registration statement becomes effective will include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. The Trust may, but shall not be obligated to, propose from time to time such amendment or amendments to any registration statement and such supplement or supplements to any prospectus as, in the light of future developments, may, in the opinion of the Trust’s counsel, be necessary or advisable. If the Trust shall not propose such amendment or amendments and/or supplement or supplements within fifteen days after receipt by the Trust of a written request from FEF Distributors, LLC to do so with respect to a material change, FEF Distributors, LLC may, at FEF Distributors, LLC’s option, terminate this Agreement or decline to make offers of the Trust’s securities until such amendments are made. The Trust shall not file any amendment to any registration statement or supplement to any prospectus without giving FEF Distributors, LLC reasonable notice thereof in advance; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall in any way limit the Trust’s right to file at any time such amendments to any registration statement and/or supplements to any prospectus, of whatever character, as the Trust may deem advisable, such right being in all respects absolute and unconditional.

 

3.       Solicitation of Orders. FEF Distributors, LLC will use its best efforts (but only in states in which FEF Distributors, LLC may lawfully do so) to obtain from investors orders for shares of beneficial interest of the Trust authorized for issue by the Trust and registered under the 1933 Act, provided that FEF Distributors, LLC may in its discretion refuse to accept orders for shares from any particular applicant. FEF Distributors, LLC may, as agent for the Trust, solicit dealers for orders to purchase shares of beneficial interest of the Trust and may enter into selling agreements with any such dealers, the form of such agreements to be as mutually agreed upon, from time to time, by FEF Distributors, LLC and the Trust. Each dealer must be a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) or a foreign dealer not eligible for membership in FINRA who has agreed in acting under the selling agreement to abide by the rules and regulations of FINRA and not to use the United States mails or any means of interstate commerce in connection with the sales of such shares unless such foreign dealer is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or such registration is not required.

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4.       Sale of Shares. Subject to the provisions of paragraph 5 hereof and to such minimum purchase requirements as may from time to time be currently indicated in the Trust’s prospectus, FEF Distributors, LLC is authorized to sell as agent on behalf of the Trust authorized and unissued shares of beneficial interest of the Trust registered under the 1933 Act. Such sales may be made by FEF Distributors, LLC on behalf of the Trust by transmitting promptly any orders received by FEF Distributors, LLC for the purchase and redemption of shares to the Trust’s transfer agent. The sales price to the public of such shares shall be the public offering price as defined in paragraph 6 hereof.

 

Whenever in their judgment such action is warranted by unusual market, economic or political conditions, or by abnormal circumstances of any kind deemed by the parties hereto to render sales of the Trust’s shares not in the best interest of the Trust, the parties hereto may decline to accept any orders for, or make any sales of, any shares until such time as those parties deem it advisable to accept such orders and to make such sales, and both parties shall mutually agree to any such determination.

 

5.       Sale of Shares to Investors by the Trust. Any right granted to FEF Distributors, LLC to accept orders for shares or make sales on behalf of the Trust will not apply to shares issued in connection with the merger or consolidation of any other investment company with the Trust or its acquisition, by purchase or otherwise, of all or substantially all the assets of any investment company or substantially all the outstanding shares of any such Trust, and such right shall not apply to shares that may be offered by the Trust to shareholders by virtue of their being shareholders of the Trust, including shares issued in payment of any dividend or distribution by the Trust.

 

6.       Public Offering Price. All shares of the Trust sold to investors by FEF Distributors, LLC as agent for the Trust will be sold at the public offering price. The public offering price for all accepted orders will be the net asset value per share next computed after receipt of such an order, plus any applicable sales charge adjusted to the nearest full cent, as may from time to time be currently indicated in the Trust’s prospectus with respect to such order. Net asset value per share shall be computed in the manner provided in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust, as now in effect or as it may be amended. The time of receipt of such an order shall be the time of its receipt by FEF Distributors, LLC or by a dealer selected by FEF Distributors, LLC as provided in paragraph 3 if transmitted on the day of receipt by such dealer to FEF Distributors, LLC prior to the close of its business on that day. The Trust will not, without notifying FEF Distributors, LLC in advance, change the sales charges or dealer discounts applicable to the sales of its shares from those set forth in its then-current prospectus. FEF Distributors, LLC may also purchase as principal shares of the Trust’s beneficial interest at net asset value and sell such shares at the public offering price.

 

7.       Underwriting Discount. The Trust shall receive from FEF Distributors, LLC the applicable net asset value on all orders for sales of shares of beneficial interest accepted by FEF Distributors, LLC as agent of the Trust if the net sale price thereof has been deemed, in accordance with the Trust’s Declaration of Trust, to be an asset of the Trust in connection with a computation of net asset value for the sale of any other shares or the purchase or redemption of any shares. FEF Distributors, LLC shall be entitled to retain so much of the difference between the public offering price and the applicable net asset value as is not reallowed by FEF

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Distributors, LLC as a discount to dealers. Such reallowance shall be the same for all dealers and shall conform to such dealer discounts, if any, as may from time to time be currently indicated in the Trust’s prospectus. FEF Distributors, LLC will reimburse the Trust for any increase in any issue tax paid by it which is attributable to such sales charge.

 

8.       Notice of Sale; Delivery of Payments. FEF Distributors, LLC will promptly notify the Trust’s transfer agent or shareholders’ servicing agent of any orders for sales of shares of beneficial interest accepted by FEF Distributors, LLC, and FEF Distributors, LLC will deliver to the Trust’s shareholders’ servicing agent all payments pursuant to orders for sales accepted by FEF Distributors, LLC no later than the first business day following the receipt by FEF Distributors, LLC in its home office of such payments, and, unless payment is not required under paragraph 7, in no event later than seven days after the receipt by FEF Distributors, LLC of such order, or, in case an extension of time is granted by FINRA, to the dealer submitting the order, in no event later than the expiration of such extension of time.

 

9.       Purchase of Shares. FEF Distributors, LLC is authorized to purchase as agent on behalf of the Trust shares of beneficial interest of the Trust from record holders thereof. Such purchases may be made by FEF Distributors, LLC on behalf of the Trust by accepting orders placed with FEF Distributors, LLC by such holders. The purchase price per share for all accepted orders will be the net asset value per share next computed after receipt of such an order, in the manner provided in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust, as now in effect or as it may be amended. The time of receipt of such an order shall be the time of its receipt by FEF Distributors, LLC or by a dealer selected by FEF Distributors, LLC as provided in paragraph 3 if transmitted on the day of receipt by such dealer to FEF Distributors, LLC prior to the close of its business on that day. FEF Distributors, LLC will promptly notify the Trust’s transfer agent or shareholders’ servicing agent of any such order accepted by FEF Distributors, LLC and will, if the shares subject to such order have been deemed to be no longer outstanding in connection with a computation of net asset value for the sale of any shares by the Trust or the purchase or redemption of any shares by it, deliver to such agent a proper request for purchase of such shares by the Trust and any stock certificates for such shares not later than the first business day following the receipt by FEF Distributors, LLC in its home office of such request and certificates, and in no event later than seven days after the receipt by FEF Distributors, LLC of such order.

 

10.       Suspension of Sales and Purchases. If and whenever the determination of net asset value is suspended pursuant to the Trust’s Declaration of Trust, and such suspension has become effective, until such suspension is terminated, no further orders for the sale or purchase of shares shall be accepted by FEF Distributors, LLC except such orders placed with FEF Distributors, LLC before FEF Distributors, LLC had knowledge of the suspension. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to suspend sales and purchases and its authority to accept orders for sales and purchases of shares on behalf of the Trust if, in the judgment of a majority of its Board of Trustees or a majority of the Executive Committee of its Board of Trustees, if such Committee exists, it is in the best interests of the Trust to do so, such suspension to continue for such period as may be determined by such majority; and in that event, no shares will be sold or purchased by the Trust or by FEF Distributors, LLC on behalf of the Trust while such suspension remains in effect except for shares necessary to cover orders accepted by FEF Distributors, LLC before FEF Distributors, LLC had knowledge of the suspension. The Trust will notify FEF

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Distributors, LLC promptly of any such suspension of the determination of net asset value or of any such suspension of sales and purchases of shares.

 

The Trust agrees to advise FEF Distributors, LLC immediately in writing:

 

(a)       of any request by the SEC for amendments to the registration statement or prospectus then in effect or for additional information;

 

(b)       in the event of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement or prospectus then in effect or the initiation of any proceeding for that purpose;

 

(c)       of the happening of any event, to the best of its knowledge, which makes untrue any statement of a material fact made in the registration statement or prospectus then in effect or which requires the making of a change in such registration statement or prospectus in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and

 

(d)       of all actions of the SEC with respect to any amendments to any registration statement or prospectus which may from time to time be filed with the SEC that materially affect the performance of its services under this Agreement.

 

11.       Expenses. The Trust will pay all fees and expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of any registration statement and prospectus or amendments thereto under the 1933 Act covering the issue and sale of its shares and in connection with the qualification of shares for sale in the various states and countries in which the Trust shall determine it advisable to qualify such shares for sale, the costs of all stock certificates and the fees and expenses of its transfer agent or shareholders’ servicing agent or registrar. It will also pay any issue taxes (subject to partial reimbursement under paragraph 7 hereof). FEF Distributors, LLC will pay all expenses of printing prospectuses and other sales literature (except copies of prospectuses and other sales literature which may from time to time be sent to existing shareholders of the Fund), all fees and expenses in connection with its qualification as a dealer in the various states and countries, and all other expenses in connection with the sale and offering for sale of the shares of the Trust which are not payable by the Trust pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph 11.

 

12.       Conformity with Law. FEF Distributors, LLC agrees that in selling and purchasing the shares of the Trust FEF Distributors, LLC will duly conform in all respects with the laws of the United States and any state or country in which such shares may be offered for sale by FEF Distributors, LLC pursuant to this Agreement.

 

13.       Indemnification. FEF Distributors, LLC agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each of its Trustees and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation expenses (including legal and other expenses) to which the Trust or such Trustees, officers or controlling person may become subject under such Act or under any other statute, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the acquisition of any shares by any person or the sale of any shares by any person to the Trust through FEF Distributors, LLC which (i) may be based upon any wrongful act by FEF Distributors, LLC or any of its employees or

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representatives or (ii) may be based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement or prospectus covering shares of the Trust or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such statement or omission was made in reliance upon information furnished or confirmed in writing to the Trust by FEF Distributors, LLC; provided, however, that in no case is its indemnity in favor of a director or officer or any other person deemed to protect such director or officer or other person against any liability to which any such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of his duties or by reason of his reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement.

 

The Trust agrees to indemnify and hold harmless FEF Distributors, LLC and each of its directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls FEF Distributors, LLC within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities or litigation expenses (including legal and other expenses) to which FEF Distributors, LLC or such directors, officers or controlling person may become subject under such Act or under any other statute, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the acquisition of any shares by any person or the sale of any shares by any person to the Trust through FEF Distributors, LLC which (i) may be based upon any wrongful act by the Trust or any of its employees or representatives, or (ii) except as described in clause (ii) of the preceding paragraph, may be based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a registration statement or prospectus covering shares of the Trust or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that in no case is the Trust’s indemnity in favor of a director or officer or any other person deemed to protect such director or officer or other person against any liability to which any such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of his duties or by reason of his reckless disregard of obligations and duties under this Agreement. FEF Distributors, LLC hereby waives any rights to indemnification concerning its obligations and duties hereunder to which FEF Distributors, LLC might be entitled under the Trust’s By-Laws.

 

FEF Distributors, LLC is not authorized to give any information or to make any representations on behalf of the Trust in connection with the sale or purchase of shares of the Trust other than the information and representations contained in a registration statement or prospectus covering shares of the Trust, as such registration statement and prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time. No person other than FEF Distributors, LLC is authorized to act as agent for the Trust in connection with the offering or sale of shares of the Trust to the public or otherwise.

 

14.       Duration and Termination of this Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective as of the date hereof and will continue from year to year, but only so long as (after an initial two-year term) such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust. In addition, the Trust may not renew or perform this Agreement unless the terms thereof and any renewal thereof have been approved by the vote of a majority of Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of FEF Distributors, LLC or of the Trust cast at a meeting called

6

for the purpose of voting on such approval in accordance with the 1940 Act. This Agreement may, on 60 days’ written notice, be terminated at any time without the payment of any penalty by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, or by FEF Distributors, LLC. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment. In interpreting the provisions of this paragraph 14, the definitions contained in Section 2(a) of the 1940 Act and rules thereunder (particularly the definitions of “interested person”, “assignment”, “voting security” and “vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities”) shall be applied.

 

15.       Amendment of this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. If the Trust should at any time deem it necessary or advisable in the best interests of the Trust that any amendment of this Agreement be made in order to comply with the recommendations or requirements of the SEC or other governmental authority or to obtain any advantage under state or federal tax laws, it should notify FEF Distributors, LLC of the form of such amendment, and the reasons therefor, and if FEF Distributors, LLC should decline to assent to such amendment, the Trust may terminate this Agreement forthwith. If FEF Distributors, LLC should at any time request that a change be made in the Trust’s Declaration of Trust or By-Laws, or in its methods of doing business, in order to comply with any requirements of federal law or regulations of the SEC or of a national securities association of which FEF Distributors, LLC is or may be a member, relating to the sale of the shares of the Trust, and the Trust should not make such necessary change within a reasonable time, FEF Distributors, LLC may terminate this Agreement forthwith.

 

16.       Miscellaneous.

 

(a)       The captions in this Agreement are included for convenience of reference only and in no way define or delimit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

(b)       The Trust recognizes that, except to the extent otherwise agreed to by the parties hereto, its directors, officers and employees may from time to time serve as directors, trustees, officers and employees of corporations and business trusts (including other investment companies), and that FEF Distributors, LLC or its affiliates may enter into distribution or other agreements with other corporations and trusts.

 

(c)       In the event that the Board of Trustees of any additional portfolios indicates by vote that such portfolios are to be made parties to this Agreement, whether such portfolios were in existence at the time of the effective date of this Agreement or subsequently formed, Schedule A hereto shall be amended to reflect the addition of such new portfolios and such new portfolios shall thereafter become parties hereto. In the event that any of the portfolios on Schedule A terminates its registration as a management investment company, or otherwise ceases operations, Schedule A shall be amended to reflect the deletion of such portfolio and its various classes.

7

(d)       This Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws.

 

(e)       If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule, or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors.

 

(f)        FEF Distributors, LLC also agrees that if, as a result of its breach of this warranty, the Trust is subjected to any fine, penalty, or other regulatory sanction or damages, FEF Distributors, LLC will reimburse the Trust for such fine, penalty or damages and any related costs and expenses, including but not limited to attorney fees and expenses.

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature page follows]

8
  First Eagle Funds
     
  By: /s/ Sheelyn Michael
    Name: Sheelyn Michael
    Title: Secretary

 

The foregoing Agreement is hereby accepted as of the date thereof.
     
FEF Distributors, LLC
     
By: /s/ Robert Bruno  
  Name: Robert Bruno  
  Title: President  
9

SCHEDULE A

 

FIRST EAGLE FUNDS

 

First Eagle Global Fund
First Eagle Overseas Fund
First Eagle Gold Fund
First Eagle U.S. Value Fund
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund
First Eagle High Income Fund
First Eagle Fund of America
First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund
First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund

10

Exhibit 99.(g)(1)

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT

 

between

 

EACH FIRST EAGLE ENTITY SET FORTH ON EXHIBIT A HERETO

 

and

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

 

SECURITIES SERVICES

 

jpmorgan.com

 

 

Table of Contents

 

1. INTENTION OF THE PARTIES; DEFINITIONS 1
1.1. Intention of the Parties 1
1.2. Definitions; Interpretation 1
 
2. WHAT J.P. MORGAN IS REQUIRED TO DO 4
2.1. Set Up Accounts 4
2.2. Cash Account 5
2.3. Segregation of Assets; Nominee Name 5
2.4. Settlement of Transactions 6
2.5. Contractual Settlement Date Accounting 6
2.6. Actual Settlement Date Accounting 7
2.7. Income Collection (AutoCredit®) 7
2.8. Miscellaneous Administrative Duties 7
2.9. Corporate Actions 8
2.10. Class Action Litigation 8
2.11. Proxies 8
2.12. Statements of Account 9
2.13. Access to J.P. Morgan’s Records 9
2.14. Maintenance of Financial Assets at Subcustodian Locations 10
2.15. Tax Relief Services 10
2.16. Foreign Exchange Transactions 10
2.17. Notifications 10
2.18. Sealed Envelopes 10
 
3. INSTRUCTIONS 13
3.1. Acting on Instructions; Method of Instruction and Unclear Instructions 13
3.2. Verification and Security Procedures 13
3.3. Instructions; Contrary to Law/Market Practice 13
3.4. Cut-Off Times 13
3.5. Electronic Access 13
 
4. FEES, EXPENSES AND OTHER AMOUNTS OWING TO J.P. MORGAN 14
4.1. Fees and Expenses 14
4.2. Overdrafts 14
4.3. J.P. Morgan’s Right Over Securities; Set-off 14
 
5. SUBCUSTODIANS AND SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES 15
5.1. Appointment of Subcustodians; Use of Securities Depositories 15
5.2. Liability for Subcustodians 15
 
6. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS 16
6.1. Representations of the Customer and J.P. Morgan 16
6.2. The Customer is Liable to J.P. Morgan Even if it is Acting for Another Person 16
6.3. Special Settlement Services 17
 
7. WHEN J.P. MORGAN IS LIABLE TO THE CUSTOMER 17
7.1. Standard of Care; Liability 17
7.2. Force Majeure 18
7.3. J.P. Morgan May Consult With Counsel 18
 
7.4. J.P. Morgan Provides Diverse Financial Services and May Generate Profits as a Result 18
7.5. Assets Held Outside J.P. Morgan’s Control 19
7.6. Ancillary Services 19
7.7. Service Locations 19
 
8. TAXATION 19
8.1. Tax Obligations 19
8.2. Tax Relief Services 20
 
9. TERMINATION 20
9.1. Termination 20
9.2. Exit Procedure 21
9.3. Inactive Securities Accounts 21
 
10. MISCELLANEOUS 22
10.1. Notifications 22
10.2. Successors and Assigns 22
10.3. Entire Agreement and Amendments 22
10.4. Information Concerning Deposits at J.P. Morgan’s Non-U.S. Branch 22
10.5. Insurance 22
10.6. Security Holding Disclosure 23
10.7. U.S. Regulatory Disclosure 23
10.8. Governing Law and Jurisdiction 23
10.9. Severability; Waiver; and Survival 24
10.10. Confidentiality 24
10.11. Use of J.P. Morgan’s Name 24
10.12. Counterparts 25
10.13. No Third Party Beneficiaries 25
Exhibit A List of Entities 27
Schedule 1 List of Subcustodians and Markets Used by J.P. Morgan 28
Schedule 2 Form of Board Resolution 29
Schedule 3 List of J.P. Morgan Investor Services Custody Restricted Markets 30
Annex A Electronic Access 31
 

AMENDED AND RESTATED GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT

 

This agreement, dated April 18, 2017 (the “Agreement”), is between JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. (“J.P. Morgan”), with a place of business at 383 Madison Ave., Floor 11, New York, New York, 10179; and each entity managed by First Eagle Investment Management, LLC, or First Eagle Alternative Credit, that is set forth on Exhibit A (each, the “Customer”) with a place of business at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105.

 

1. INTENTION OF THE PARTIES; DEFINITIONS
       
  1.1. Intention of the Parties
       
    (a) This Agreement sets out the terms on which J.P. Morgan will provide custodial, settlement, asset servicing and other associated services to the Customer. J.P. Morgan will be responsible for the performance of only those duties expressly set forth in this Agreement.
       
    (b) Investing in Financial Assets and cash in foreign jurisdictions may involve risks of loss or other burdens and costs. The Customer acknowledges that J.P. Morgan is not providing any legal, tax or investment advice in connection with the services under this Agreement and will not be liable for any losses resulting from Country Risk.
       
    (c) The terms and conditions of this Agreement are applicable only to the services which are specified in this Agreement.
       
  1.2. Definitions; Interpretation
       
    (a) Definitions
       
    As used herein, the following terms have the meaning hereinafter stated.
       
    “Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.
       
    “Account Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 4.3(a).
       
    “Affiliated Subcustodian Bank” means a Subcustodian that is both a subsidiary of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and either (i) a bank chartered or incorporated in the United States of America or (ii) a branch or subsidiary of such a bank.
       
    “AML/Sanctions Requirements” means (a) any Applicable Law (including but not limited to the rules and regulations of the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control) applicable to J.P. Morgan, or to any J.P. Morgan Affiliate engaged in servicing any Account, which governs (i) money laundering, the financing of terrorism, insider dealing or other unlawful activities, or the use of financial institutions to facilitate such activities or (ii) transactions involving individuals or institutions which have been prohibited by, or subject to, sanctions of any governmental authority; and (b) any J.P. Morgan policies and procedures reasonably designed to assure compliance with any such Applicable Law.
       
    “Applicable Law” means any applicable statute, treaty, rule, regulation or law (including common law) and any applicable decree, injunction, judgment, order, formal interpretation or ruling issued by a court or governmental entity.
       
    “Authorized Person” means any person who has been designated by written notice from the Customer in the form as provided by J.P. Morgan (or by written notice in the form as provided by J.P. Morgan from any agent designated by the Customer, including, without limitation, an investment manager) to act on behalf of the Customer under this Agreement and any person who has been given an access code by a security administrator appointed by the Customer which allows the provision of Instructions. Such persons will continue to be Authorized Persons until such time as J.P. Morgan receives and has had reasonable time to act upon Instructions from the Customer (or its agent) that any such person is no longer an Authorized Person.
       
    “Cash Account” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a)(ii).

 

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    “Confidential Information” means all non-public information concerning the Customer or the Accounts which J.P. Morgan receives in the course of providing services under this Agreement. Nevertheless, the term Confidential Information shall not include information which is or becomes available to the general public other than as a direct result of J.P. Morgan’s breach of the terms of this Agreement or information which J.P. Morgan obtains on a non-confidential basis from a person who is not known to be subject to any obligation of confidence to any person with respect to that information.
     
    “Corporate Action” means any subscription right, bonus issue, stock repurchase plan, redemption, exchange, tender offer, or similar matter with respect to a Financial Asset in the Securities Account that requires discretionary action by the beneficial owner of the Financial Asset, but does not include rights with respect to class action litigation or proxy voting.
     
    “Country Risk” means the risk of investing or holding assets in a particular country or market, including, but not limited to, risks arising from nationalization, expropriation or other governmental actions; the country’s financial infrastructure, including prevailing custody, tax and settlement practices; laws applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Financial Assets and cash held in custody; the regulation of the banking and securities industries, including changes in market rules; currency restrictions, devaluations or fluctuations; and market conditions affecting the orderly execution of securities transactions or the value of assets.
     
    “Eligible Foreign Custodian” means (i) a banking institution or trust company, incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other than the United States, that is regulated as such by that country’s government or an agency thereof, and (ii) a majority-owned direct or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as defined in rule 17f-5(a)(7)) or bank holding company which subsidiary is incorporated or organized under the laws of a country other than the United States. In addition, an Eligible Foreign Custodian shall also mean any other entity that shall have been so qualified by exemptive order, rule or other appropriate action of the SEC.
     
    Eligible Securities Depository” shall have the same meaning as in rule 17f-7(b)(1)(i)-(vi) as the same may be amended from time to time, or that has otherwise been made exempt pursuant to an SEC exemptive order; provided that, prior to the compliance date with rule 17f-7 for a particular securities depository the term “securities depositories” shall be as defined in (a)(1)(ii)-(iii) of the 1997 amendments to rule 17f-5.
     
    “Entitlement Holder” means the person named on the records of a Securities Intermediary as the person having a Security Entitlement against the Securities Intermediary.
     
    “Financial Asset” means a Security, Gold, and Silver, and refers, as the context requires, either to the asset itself or to the means by which a person’s claim to it is evidenced, including, without limitation, for a Security, a security certificate or a Security Entitlement and for Gold and Silver, the serial numbers or other identification marks. “Financial Asset” does not include cash.
     
    “Fund” means each separate portfolio of the First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds.
     
    Gold” means gold bars, custodied on an allocated basis, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties.
     
    “Instruction” means an instruction that has been verified in accordance with a Security Procedure or, if no Security Procedure is applicable, that J.P. Morgan believes, in its commercially reasonable discretion, to have been given by an Authorized Person.
     
    “J.P. Morgan Affiliate” means an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with J.P. Morgan.
     
    “J.P. Morgan Indemnitees” means J.P. Morgan, J.P. Morgan Affiliates, Subcustodians, and their respective nominees, directors, officers, employees and agents.
     
    “Liabilities” means any liabilities, losses, claims, costs, damages, penalties, fines, obligations, taxes (other than taxes based solely on J.P. Morgan’s income), or expenses of any kind whatsoever (whether actual or contingent and including, without limitation, attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’ and experts’ fees and disbursements reasonably incurred and, where relevant, any and all amounts owing to J.P.

 

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    Morgan by Customer’s counterparty in connection with collateral Accounts or control Accounts established at J.P. Morgan pursuant to the Customer’s Instruction) outstanding from time to time.
     
    “Proxy Voting Service” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.11(a).
     
    “Sealed Envelope” means a sealed envelope which the Customer requests J.P. Morgan to hold in custody. Nothing in this definition shall obligate J.P. Morgan to accept any such Sealed Envelope.
     
    “Secured Liabilities” means Customer’s obligation to (i) pay any unpaid fees to J.P. Morgan, and (ii) repay any extension of credit made by J.P. Morgan or its Affiliates in the normal course of business for the purpose of (A) clearing and settling purchases or sales of Securities for which Customer has not yet delivered sufficient cash into the Cash Account or Securities into the Securities Account, (B) funding any cash payment related to clearing and settling the purchase or sale of an asset or other investment vehicle, including cash payments related to a purchase or sale of foreign currencies or precious metals for which Customer has not yet delivered sufficient cash into the Cash Account, or (C) the advancement of funds in relation to Contractual Settlement Date Accounting as described in Section 2.5, which in each case was intended by J.P. Morgan to be a short-term extension of credit when made.
     
    “Securities” means shares, stocks, debentures, bonds, notes or other like obligations, whether issued in certificated or uncertificated form, and any certificates, receipts, warrants or other instruments representing rights to receive, purchase or subscribe for the same that are commonly traded or dealt in on securities exchanges or financial markets and any other property as may be acceptable to J.P. Morgan for the Securities Account.
     
    “Securities Account” means each Securities custody account on J.P. Morgan’s records to which Financial Assets are or may be credited under this Agreement.
     
    “Securities Depository” means any securities depository, clearing corporation, dematerialized book entry system or similar system for the central handling of Securities, whether or not acting in that capacity. The term ‘Securities Depository’ as used in this Agreement when referring to a securities depository located in the U.S. shall mean a ‘securities depository’ as defined in rule 17f-4(c)(6).
     
    “Security Entitlement” means the rights and property interests of an Entitlement Holder with respect to a Financial Asset as set forth in Part 5 of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York, as the same may be amended from time to time.
     
    “Securities Intermediary” means J.P. Morgan, a Subcustodian, a Securities Depository and any other financial institution which in the ordinary course of business maintains Securities custody accounts for others and acts in that capacity.
     
    “Security Procedure” means a security procedure to be followed by the Customer upon the issuance of an instruction and/or by J.P. Morgan upon the receipt of an instruction, so as to enable J.P. Morgan to verify that such instruction is authorized, as set forth in service level documentation in effect from time to time with respect to the services set forth in this Agreement, or as otherwise agreed in writing by the parties. A Security Procedure may, without limitation, involve the use of algorithms, codes, passwords, encryption or telephone call backs, and may be updated by J.P. Morgan from time to time upon notice to the Customer. The Customer acknowledges that the Security Procedure is designed to verify the authenticity of, and not to detect errors in, instructions. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that a SWIFT message issued in the name of the Customer through any third party utility that the parties have agreed as an utility through which instructions may be provided hereunder and authenticated in accordance with that utility’s customary procedures, shall be deemed to be an authorized instruction; provided that nothing in the foregoing clause shall require Customer to use SWIFT messaging as a method for providing Instructions.
     
    Silver” means silver bars, custodied on an allocated basis, unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties.
     
    “Subcustodian” means any of the subcustodians appointed by J.P. Morgan from time to time to hold Financial Assets and act on its behalf in different jurisdictions (and being at the date of this Agreement the entities listed in 0 – List of Subcustodians and Markets Used by J.P. Morgan) and includes any Affiliated Subcustodian Bank.

 

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    (b) Interpretation
         
      (i) Headings are for convenience of reference only and shall not in any way form part of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.
         
      (ii) Unless otherwise expressly stated to the contrary herein, references to articles and sections are to articles and sections of this Agreement and references to sub-sections and paragraphs are to sub-sections of the Sections and paragraphs of the sub-sections in which they appear.
         
    (iii) Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Agreement to “persons” shall include legal as well as natural entities; references importing the singular shall include the plural (and vice versa); use of the generic masculine pronoun shall include the feminine (and vice versa); use of the term “including” shall be deemed to mean “including but not limited” to, and references to appendices and numbered sections shall be to such addenda and provisions herein; all such addenda are hereby incorporated in this Agreement by reference.
         
      (iv) Unless the context requires otherwise, any reference to a statute or a statutory provision shall include such statute or provision as from time modified to the extent such modification applies to any service provided hereunder. Any reference to a statute or a statutory provision shall also include any subordinate legislation made from time to time under that statute or provision.
         
2. WHAT J.P. MORGAN IS REQUIRED TO DO
         
  2.1. Set Up Accounts
         
    (a) J.P. Morgan will establish and maintain the following accounts (“Accounts”):
         
      (i) one or more Securities Accounts in the name of the Customer (or in another name requested by the Customer that is acceptable to J.P. Morgan) for the safekeeping of Financial Assets, which may be held by J.P. Morgan, a Subcustodian or a Securities Depository for J.P. Morgan on behalf of the Customer, including as an Entitlement Holder; and
         
      (ii) one or more cash accounts in the name of the Customer (each, a “Cash Account”) (or in another name requested by the Customer that is acceptable to J.P. Morgan) for the safekeeping of any and all cash in any currency received by or on behalf of J.P. Morgan for the account of the Customer.
         
    Notwithstanding paragraph 2.1(a)(ii), cash held in respect of those markets where the Customer is required to have a cash account in its own name held directly with the relevant Subcustodian or Securities Depository will be held in that manner and will not be part of the Cash Account.
         
    (b) At the request of the Customer, additional Accounts may be opened in the future, and such additional Accounts shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement.
         
    (c) In the event that the Customer requests the opening of any additional Account for the purpose of holding collateral pledged by the Customer to a securities exchange, clearing corporation, or other central counterparty (a “Counterparty”) to secure trading activity by the Customer, or the pledge to a Counterparty of cash or individual Securities held in an Account, that Account (or the pledged cash or Securities) shall be subject to the collateral arrangements in effect between J.P. Morgan and the Counterparty in addition to the terms of this Agreement.
         
    (d) Upon thirty (30) days’ prior notice to the Customer, J.P. Morgan may close any Account that it reasonably determines to be dormant. In the case of a dormant Cash Account, J.P. Morgan may, upon closure of the Account, pay any de minimis balances in that Cash Account into another Cash

 

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    Account of the Customer, and is authorized to enter into with Customer any foreign exchange transactions needed to facilitate the payment, as contemplated by Section 2.16 of this Agreement
         
    (e) J.P. Morgan’s obligation to open Accounts pursuant to Section 2.1(a) is conditional upon J.P. Morgan receiving such of the following documents as J.P. Morgan may require:
         
      (i) a certified copy of the Customer’s constitutional documents as in force at the time of receipt;
         
      (ii) evidence reasonably satisfactory to J.P. Morgan of the due authorization and execution of this Agreement by the Customer (for example by a certified copy of a resolution of the Customer’s board of directors or equivalent governing body, substantially in the form set out in Schedule 1 Form of Board Resolution);
         
      (iii) fund manager mandate completed by the fund manager designated by the Customer;
         
      (iv) information about the Customer’s financial status, such as its audited and unaudited financial statements; and
         
      (v) in the case of any Account opened in a name other than that of the Customer, documentation with respect to that name similar to that set forth in sub-sections (i) – (iv).
         
  2.2. Cash Account
         
    (a) Any amount standing to the credit of the Cash Account will be either:
         
      (i) deposited during the period it is credited to the Accounts in one or more deposit accounts at J.P. Morgan’s head office or at one of its non-U.S. branch offices and will constitute a debt owing to the Customer by J.P. Morgan as banker, provided that (A) any cash so deposited with a non-U.S. branch office will be payable exclusively by that branch office in the applicable currency, subject to compliance with Applicable Law, including, without limitation, any restrictions on transactions in the applicable currency imposed by the country of the applicable currency and (B) from time to time, J.P. Morgan may, in its discretion, pay interest on any such deposit account at a rate to be determined by J.P. Morgan (or charge interest if, at the time, the prevailing interest rate in the relevant market for similar deposits in the same currency is negative); or
         
      (ii) placed by J.P. Morgan with a bank or other financial institution in the country in which the applicable currency is issued, in which case the deposit will constitute a debt owing to the Customer by that bank or other financial institution and not J.P. Morgan, payable exclusively in the applicable currency at that bank or financial institution.
         
    (b) Any amounts credited by J.P. Morgan to the Cash Account on the basis of a notice or an interim credit from a third party, may be reversed if J.P. Morgan does not receive final payment in a timely manner. J.P. Morgan will notify the Customer promptly of any such reversal.
         
  2.3. Segregation of Assets; Nominee Name
         
    (a) J.P. Morgan will identify in its books that Financial Assets credited to the Customer’s Securities Account belong to the Customer (except as may be otherwise agreed by J.P. Morgan and the Customer).
         
    (b) To the extent permitted by Applicable Law or market practice, J.P. Morgan will require each Subcustodian to identify in its own books that Financial Assets held at such Subcustodian by J.P. Morgan on behalf of its customers belong to customers of J.P. Morgan, such that it is readily apparent that the Financial Assets do not belong to J.P. Morgan or the Subcustodian. J.P. Morgan

 

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      will notify Customer promptly following J.P. Morgan becoming aware of a Sub-Custodian that holds Customer’s Financial Assets failing to segregate customer assets from its proprietary assets.
         
    (c) J.P. Morgan is authorized, in its discretion to:
         
      (i) hold in bearer form such Financial Assets as are customarily held in bearer form or are delivered to J.P. Morgan or its Subcustodian in bearer form;
         
      (ii) hold Financial Assets in or deposit Financial Assets with any Securities Depository;
         
      (iii) hold Financial Assets in omnibus accounts on a fungible basis and to accept delivery of Financial Assets of the same class and denomination as those deposited by the Customer;
         
      (iv) register in the name of the Customer, J.P. Morgan, a Subcustodian, a Securities Depository or their respective nominees, such Financial Assets as are customarily held in registered form; and
         
      (v) decline to accept any asset or property which it deems to be unsuitable or inconsistent with its custodial operations.
         
  2.4. Settlement of Transactions
         
    Subject to Article 3 and Section 4.2 of this Agreement, J.P. Morgan will act in accordance with Instructions with respect to settlement of transactions. Settlement of transactions will be conducted in accordance with prevailing standards of the market in which the transaction occurs. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Customer authorizes J.P. Morgan to deliver Financial Assets or payment in accordance with applicable market practice in advance of receipt or settlement of consideration expected in connection with such delivery or payment, and the Customer acknowledges and agrees that such action alone will not of itself constitute negligence, fraud, or willful misconduct of J.P. Morgan, and the risk of loss arising from any such action will be borne by the Customer. In the case of the failure of the Customer’s counterparty (or other appropriate party) to deliver the expected consideration as agreed, J.P. Morgan will notify the Customer of such failure. If the Customer’s counterparty continues to fail to deliver the expected consideration, J.P. Morgan will provide information reasonably requested by the Customer that J.P. Morgan has in its possession to allow the Customer to enforce rights that the Customer has against the Customer’s counterparty, but neither J.P. Morgan nor its Subcustodians will be obliged to institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding or take any similar action.
         
  2.5. Contractual Settlement Date Accounting
         
    (a) J.P. Morgan will effect book entries on a contractual settlement date accounting basis as described below with respect to the settlement for those Financial Assets and transactions as to which J.P. Morgan customarily offers contractual settlement date accounting. J.P. Morgan reserves the right to restrict in good faith the availability of contractual settlement date accounting for credit or operational reasons.
         
      (i) Sales: On the settlement date for a sale, J.P. Morgan will credit the Cash Account with the proceeds of the sale and post the Securities Account as pending delivery of the relevant Financial Assets.
         
      (ii) Purchases: On the settlement date for a purchase (or earlier, if market practice requires delivery of the purchase price before the settlement date), J.P. Morgan will debit the Cash Account for the settlement amount. J.P. Morgan will then post the Securities Account as awaiting receipt of the expected Financial Assets. The Customer will not be entitled to the delivery of Financial Assets until J.P. Morgan or a Subcustodian actually receives them.

 

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    Upon request, J.P. Morgan shall provide the Customer with a list of those markets for which it provides contractual settlement date accounting. J.P. Morgan may add markets to or remove markets from such list upon reasonable notice to the Customer.
         
    (b) J.P. Morgan may reverse any debit or credit made pursuant to Section 2.5(a) prior to a transaction’s actual settlement upon notice to the Customer in cases where J.P. Morgan reasonably believes that the transaction will not settle in the ordinary course within a reasonable time. The Customer will be responsible for any Liabilities resulting from such reversal. The Customer acknowledges that the procedures described in Section 2.5 are of an administrative nature, and J.P. Morgan does not undertake to make loans of cash and/or Financial Assets available to the Customer.
         
  2.6. Actual Settlement Date Accounting
         
    With respect to settlement of any transaction that is not posted to the Account on the contractual settlement date as referred to in Section 2.5, J.P. Morgan will post such transaction on the date on which the cash or Financial Assets received as consideration for the transaction is actually received and settled by J.P. Morgan.
         
  2.7. Income Collection (AutoCredit®)
         
    (a) J.P. Morgan will monitor information publicly available in the applicable market about forthcoming income payments on the Financial Assets held in the Securities Account, and will promptly notify the Customer of such information.
         
    (b) J.P. Morgan will credit the Cash Account with income proceeds on Financial Assets on the anticipated payment date, net of any taxes that are withheld by J.P. Morgan or any third party (“AutoCredit”) for those Financial Assets and/or markets for which J.P. Morgan customarily offers an AutoCredit service. However, J.P. Morgan reserves the right to restrict in good faith the availability of AutoCredit for credit or operational reasons. Upon request, J.P. Morgan shall provide the Customer with a list of AutoCredit eligible markets. J.P. Morgan may add markets to or remove markets from the list of AutoCredit markets upon notice to the Customer that is reasonable in the circumstances. J.P. Morgan may reverse AutoCredit credits upon oral or written notification to the Customer if J.P. Morgan believes that the corresponding payment will not be received by J.P. Morgan within a reasonable period or the credit was incorrect.
         
    (c) When the AutoCredit service is not available, income on Financial Assets, net of any taxes withheld by J.P. Morgan or any third party, will be credited only after actual receipt and reconciliation by J.P. Morgan.
         
    (d) J.P. Morgan will use reasonable efforts to contact appropriate parties to collect unpaid interest, dividends or redemption proceeds and notify the Customer of the late payment, but neither J.P. Morgan nor its Subcustodians will be obliged to file any formal notice of default, institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding or take any similar action.
         
  2.8. Miscellaneous Administrative Duties
         
    (a) Until J.P. Morgan receives Instructions to the contrary, J.P. Morgan will:
         
      (i) present all Financial Assets for which J.P. Morgan has received notice of a call for redemption or that have otherwise matured, and all income and interest coupons and other income items that call for payment upon presentation;
         
      (ii) execute in the name of the Customer such certificates as may be required to obtain payment in respect of Financial Assets; and

 

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      (iii) exchange interim or temporary documents of title held in the Securities Account for definitive documents of title.
         
    (b) In the event that, as a result of holding of Financial Assets in an omnibus account, the Customer receives fractional interests in Financial Assets arising out of a Corporate Action or class action litigation, J.P. Morgan will credit the Customer with the amount of cash the Customer would have received, as reasonably determined by J.P. Morgan, had the Financial Assets not been held in an omnibus account, and the Customer shall relinquish to J.P. Morgan its interest in such fractional interests.
         
    (c) If some, but not all, of an outstanding class of Financial Assets is called for redemption, J.P. Morgan may allot the amount redeemed among the respective beneficial holders of such a class of Financial Assets on a pro rata basis or in a similar manner J.P. Morgan deems fair and equitable.
         
    (d) J.P. Morgan reserves the right to reverse any transactions that are credited to the Accounts due to mis-postings and other similar actions.
         
  2.9. Corporate Actions
         
    (a) J.P. Morgan will act in accordance with local market practice to obtain information concerning Corporate Actions that is publicly available in the local market. J.P. Morgan also will review information obtained from sources to which J.P. Morgan subscribes for information concerning such Corporate Actions. J.P. Morgan will promptly provide that information (or summaries that reflect the material points concerning the applicable Corporate Action) to the Customer or its Authorized Person.
         
    (b) J.P. Morgan will act in accordance with the Customer’s Instructions in relation to such Corporate Actions. If the Customer fails to provide J.P. Morgan with timely Instructions with respect to any Corporate Action, neither J.P. Morgan nor its Subcustodians or their respective nominees will take any action in relation to that Corporate Action, except as otherwise agreed in writing by J.P. Morgan and the Customer or as may be set forth by J.P. Morgan as a default action in the notification it provides under Section 2.9(a) with respect to that Corporate Action.
         
    (c) When instructed by the Customer, subject to availability in the market, J.P. Morgan, or a J.P. Morgan Affiliate, shall place orders for the sale of rights offerings that the Customer received from Corporate Actions. A current list of markets in which this service is being offered is available from J.P. Morgan on request.
         
  2.10. Class Action Litigation
         
    Any notices received by J.P. Morgan’s corporate actions department about settled securities class action litigation that requires action by affected owners of the underlying Financial Assets will be promptly notified to the Customer if J.P. Morgan, using reasonable care and diligence in the circumstances, identifies that the Customer was a shareholder and held the relevant Financial Assets in custody with J.P. Morgan at the relevant time. J.P. Morgan will not make filings in the name of the Customer in respect to such notifications except as otherwise agreed in writing between the Customer and J.P. Morgan. The services set forth in this Section 2.10 are available only in certain markets, details of which are available from J.P. Morgan on request.
         
  2.11. Proxies
         
    (a) J.P. Morgan will monitor information distributed to holders of Financial Assets about upcoming shareholder meetings, promptly notify the Customer of such information and, subject to Section 2.11(c), act in accordance with the Customer’s Instructions in relation to such meetings (the “Proxy Voting Service”).

 

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    (b) The Proxy Voting Service is available only in certain markets, details of which are available from J.P. Morgan on request. Provision of the Proxy Voting Service is conditional upon receipt by J.P. Morgan of a duly completed enrollment form as well as all documentation that may be required for certain markets.
         
    (c) The Proxy Voting Service does not include physical attendance at shareholder meetings. Requests for physical attendance at shareholder meetings can be made but they will be evaluated and agreed to by J.P. Morgan on a case by case basis.
         
    (d) The Customer acknowledges that the provision of the Proxy Voting Service may be precluded or restricted under a variety of circumstances. These circumstances include, but are not limited to:
         
      (i) the Financial Assets being on loan or out for registration;
         
      (ii) the pendency of conversion or another corporate action;
         
      (iii) the Financial Assets being held in a margin or collateral account at J.P. Morgan or another bank or broker, or otherwise in a manner which affects voting;
         
      (iv) local market regulations or practices, or restrictions by the issuer; and
         
      (v) J.P. Morgan being required to vote all shares held for a particular issue for all of J.P. Morgan’s customers on a net basis (i.e., a net yes or no vote based on voting instructions received from all its customers). Where this is the case, J.P. Morgan will notify the Customer.
         
  2.12. Statements of Account
         
    (a) J.P. Morgan will provide the Customer with electronic access to Account information (the “Information”) that will enable the Customer to generate or receive reports and statements of account for each Account and to identify Account Assets as well as Account transactions. The Customer will review the Information and give J.P. Morgan written notice of (i) any suspected error or omission or (ii) the Customer’s inability to access any such Information. The Customer will provide J.P. Morgan such notice within a reasonable time after (x) the Information is made available to the Customer or (y) the Customer discovers that it is unable to access the Information, as the case may be.
         
    (b) The Customer acknowledges that Information available to it electronically with respect to transactions posted after the close of the prior business day may not be accurate due to mis-postings, delays in updating Account records, and other causes. J.P. Morgan will not be liable for any loss or damage arising out of any such information accessed electronically that is subsequently updated or corrected by the close of business on the first business day after the original transaction was posted.
         
  2.13. Access to J.P. Morgan’s Records
         
    (a) J.P. Morgan will, upon reasonable written notice, allow the Customer’s auditors and independent public accountants such reasonable access to the records of J.P. Morgan relating to the Accounts as may be required in connection with their examination of books and records pertaining to the Customer’s affairs. Subject to restrictions under the relevant local law, J.P. Morgan shall direct any Subcustodian to permit the Customer’s auditors and independent public accountants, reasonable access to the records of any Subcustodian of Financial Assets held in the Securities Account as may be required in connection with such examination.
         
    (b) J.P. Morgan will, upon reasonable written notice, allow the Customer reasonable access during normal working hours to the records of J.P. Morgan relating to the Accounts. The Customer shall

 

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    reimburse J.P. Morgan for the reasonable cost of copying, collating and researching archived information.
         
  2.14. Maintenance of Financial Assets at Subcustodian Locations
         
    (a) Unless Instructions require another location acceptable to J.P. Morgan, Financial Assets will be held in the country or jurisdiction in which their principal trading market is located, where such Financial Assets may be presented for payment, where such Financial Assets were acquired, or where such Financial Assets are located. J.P. Morgan reserves the right to refuse to accept delivery of Financial Assets or cash in countries and jurisdictions other than those referred to in 0 - List of Subcustodians and Markets Used by J.P. Morgan, as in effect from time to time. J.P. Morgan may modify 0 – List of Subcustodians and Markets Used by J.P. Morgan from time to time upon notice to the Customer.
         
    (b) J.P. Morgan reserves the right to restrict the services it provides in certain markets that are deemed by J.P. Morgan to be restricted markets from time to time. A current list of these markets, and a summary of the related restrictions, is set forth on Schedule 2 - List of J.P. Morgan Investor Services Custody Restricted Markets. J.P. Morgan may update Schedule 2 - List of J.P. Morgan Investor Services Custody Restricted Markets from time to time upon notice to the Customer.
         
  2.15. Tax Relief Services
         
    J.P. Morgan will provide tax relief services as provided in Section 8.2.
         
  2.16. Foreign Exchange Transactions
         
    To facilitate the administration of the Customer’s trading and investment activity, J.P. Morgan may, but will not be obliged to, enter into spot or forward foreign exchange contracts with the Customer, or an Authorized Person, and may also provide foreign exchange contracts and facilities through J.P. Morgan Affiliates or Subcustodians. Instructions, including standing Instructions, may be issued with respect to such contracts and facilities, but J.P. Morgan may establish rules or limitations concerning any foreign exchange contract or facility made available. In all cases where J.P. Morgan or J.P. Morgan Affiliates or Subcustodians enter into foreign exchange contracts or facilities with the Customer, J.P. Morgan will not be executing or otherwise placing any foreign exchange transaction as the Customer’s agent, and such transactions will be governed by the terms and conditions of such foreign exchange contracts or facilities (as the case may be). Such foreign exchange contracts and facilities shall not be deemed as part of the custodial, settlement or associated services under this Agreement. With respect to the Customer’s foreign exchange contracts or facilities with J.P. Morgan, J.P. Morgan will be acting as the Customer’s principal counterparty on such foreign exchange contracts or facilities (as the case may be).
         
  2.17. Notifications
         
    If the Customer has agreed to access information concerning the Accounts through J.P. Morgan’s website, J.P. Morgan may make any notifications required under this Agreement, other than notifications pursuant to Article 9, by posting it on the website.
         
  2.18. Sealed Envelopes
         
    From time to time, at the Customer’s request, J.P. Morgan may agree to hold certain Sealed Envelopes in custody for the Customer. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, J.P. Morgan’s sole responsibility with regards to Sealed Envelopes will be to hold them in J.P. Morgan’s or in a Subcustodian’s possession. J.P. Morgan shall not be responsible for verifying the content of any Sealed Envelope purported to contain assets or assessing the value, validity or transferability of any such assets (including the existence or value of any investments contained in any Sealed Envelope). With respect to Sealed Envelopes, neither J.P. Morgan nor its Subcustodians will be obligated to perform any service or action described in this Agreement, including, but not limited to, asset servicing, tax services, corporate actions, income or dividend collection, settlement services or class action litigation.

 

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  2.19. Compliance With Securities And Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Rule 17f-5 (“Rule 17f-5”).
         
    (a) Customer’s board of directors (or equivalent body) (hereinafter ‘Board’) hereby delegates to J.P. Morgan, and, except as to the country or countries as to which J.P. Morgan may, from time to time, advise Customer that it does not accept such delegation, J.P. Morgan hereby accepts the delegation to it, of the obligation to perform as Customer’s ‘Foreign Custody Manager’ (as that term is defined in rule 17f-5(a)(3) as promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”)), including for the purposes of: (i) selecting Subcustodians to hold foreign Financial Assets and Cash, (ii) evaluating the contractual arrangements with such Subcustodians (as set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(2)), (iii) monitoring such foreign custody arrangements (as set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(3)).
         
    (b) In connection with the foregoing, J.P. Morgan shall:
         
      (i) provide written reports notifying Customer’s Board of the placement of Financial Assets and Cash with particular Subcustodians and of any material change in the arrangements with such Subcustodians, with such reports to be provided to Customer’s Board at such times as the Board deems reasonable and appropriate based on the circumstances of Customer’s foreign custody arrangements (and until further notice from Customer such reports shall be provided not less than quarterly with respect to the placement of Financial Assets and Cash with particular Subcustodians and with reasonable promptness upon the occurrence of any material change in the arrangements with such Subcustodians);
         
      (ii) exercise such reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing as Customer’s Foreign Custody Manager as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of foreign Financial Assets and cash would exercise;
         
      (iii) in selecting a Subcustodian, first have determined that foreign Financial Assets and cash placed and maintained in the safekeeping of such Subcustodian shall be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market, after having considered all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such foreign Financial Assets and cash, including, without limitation, those factors set forth in rule 17f-5(c)(1)(i)-(iv);
         
      (iv) determine that the written contract with a Subcustodian requires that the Subcustodian shall provide reasonable care for foreign Financial Assets and Cash based on the standards applicable to custodians in the relevant market.
         
      (v) have established a system to monitor the continued appropriateness of maintaining foreign Financial Assets and cash with particular Subcustodians and of the governing contractual arrangements; it being understood, however, that in the event that J.P. Morgan shall have determined that the existing Subcustodian in a given country would no longer afford foreign Financial Assets and cash reasonable care and that no other Subcustodian in that country would afford reasonable care, J.P. Morgan shall promptly so advise Customer and shall then act in accordance with the Instructions of Customer with respect to the disposition of the affected foreign Financial Assets and cash.
         
      Subject to (b)(i)-(v) above, J.P. Morgan is hereby authorized to place and maintain foreign Financial Assets and cash on behalf of Customer with Subcustodians pursuant to a written contract deemed appropriate by J.P. Morgan.
         
    (c) J.P. Morgan shall use reasonable efforts for markets for which it is acting as Foreign Custody Manager to use as its Subcustodians entities that are Eligible Foreign Subcustodians. In cases where due to (i) Applicable Law in a market or (ii) market practice or market conditions it is not practicable to have the subcustody services performed by an Eligible Foreign Custodian, J.P. Morgan shall promptly advise the Customer of the circumstances, including any mitigants that may support a conclusion that the arrangement may nevertheless comply with rule 17f-5.

 

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    (d) Except as expressly provided herein, Customer shall be solely responsible to assure that the maintenance of foreign Financial Assets and cash hereunder complies with the rules, regulations, interpretations and exemptive orders as promulgated by or under the authority of the SEC.
       
    (e) J.P. Morgan represents to Customer that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in rule 17f-5(a)(7). Customer represents to J.P. Morgan that: (1) the foreign Financial Assets and cash being placed and maintained in J.P. Morgan’s custody are subject to the 1940 Act, as the same may be amended from time to time; (2) its Board: (i) has determined that it is reasonable to rely on J.P. Morgan to perform as Customer’s Foreign Custody Manager (ii) or its investment adviser shall have determined that Customer may maintain foreign Financial Assets and cash in each country in which Customer’s Financial Assets and cash shall be held hereunder and determined to accept Country Risk. Nothing contained herein shall require J.P. Morgan to make any selection or to engage in any monitoring on behalf of Customer that would entail consideration of Country Risk.
       
    (f) J.P. Morgan shall provide to Customer such information relating to Country Risk as is specified in Appendix 1 hereto. Customer hereby acknowledges that: (i) such information is solely designed to inform Customer of market conditions and procedures and is not intended as a recommendation to invest or not invest in particular markets; and (ii) J.P. Morgan has gathered the information from sources it considers reliable, but that J.P. Morgan shall have no responsibility for inaccuracies or incomplete information.
       
  2.20. Compliance with SEC Rule 17f-7 (“rule 17f-7”).
       
    (a) J.P. Morgan shall, for consideration by Customer, provide an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining Customer’s foreign Financial Assets with each Eligible Securities Depository used by J.P. Morgan as of the date hereof (or, in the case of an Eligible Securities Depository not used by J.P. Morgan as of the date hereof, prior to the initial placement of Customer’s foreign Financial Assets at such Depository) and at which any foreign Financial Assets of Customer are held or are expected to be held. The foregoing analysis will be provided to Customer at J.P. Morgan’s Website. In connection with the foregoing, (i) Customer shall notify J.P. Morgan of any Eligible Securities Depositories at which it does not choose to have its foreign Financial Assets held and hereby covenants that it will not issue any Instructions to J.P. Morgan to hold its foreign Financial Assets at such Eligible Securities Depositories, (ii) Customer hereby waives, and releases J.P. Morgan from, any liability that J.P Morgan may incur to Customer in connection with any Instructions delivered to J.P. Morgan in contravention of such notification and (iii) Customer shall be solely liable for any Instructions delivered to J.P. Morgan in contravention of such notification. J.P. Morgan shall monitor the custody risks associated with maintaining Customer’s foreign Financial Assets at each such Eligible Securities Depository on a continuing basis and shall promptly notify Customer or its adviser of any material changes in such risks.
       
    (b) J.P. Morgan shall exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the requirements set forth in Section 2.19(a) above.
       
    (c) Attached as Schedule 2 is a list of the Securities Depositories currently used through J.P. Morgan’s network, identifying which of those Securities Depositories are not Eligible Securities Depositories. In the exercise of diligence, J.P. Morgan shall determine the eligibility under rule 17f-7 of each Securities Depository included on Schedule 2 hereto and shall promptly advise Customer if any Securities Depository listed as an Eligible Securities Depository ceases to be eligible. (J.P. Morgan may amend Schedule 2 from time to time and shall advise the Customer of such change via electronic means).

 

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3. INSTRUCTIONS
       
  3.1. Acting on Instructions; Method of Instruction and Unclear Instructions
       
    (a) The Customer authorizes J.P. Morgan to accept, rely upon and/or act upon any Instructions. The Customer will indemnify J.P. Morgan Indemnitees against, and hold each of them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against J.P. Morgan Indemnitees as a result of any action or omission taken in accordance with any Instruction unless the Liabilities result from an act of negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees with respect to the manner in which such Instructions are followed.
       
    (b) To the extent possible, instructions to J.P. Morgan shall be sent via electronic instruction or trade information system acceptable to J.P. Morgan or via facsimile transmission. Where reasonably practicable, the Customer will use automated and electronic methods of sending instructions.
       
    (c) J.P. Morgan shall promptly notify an Authorized Person if J.P. Morgan determines that an Instruction does not contain all information reasonably necessary for J.P. Morgan to carry out the Instruction. J.P. Morgan may decline to act upon an Instruction if it does not receive clarification or confirmation satisfactory to it. J.P. Morgan will not be liable for any loss arising from any reasonable delay in carrying out any such Instruction while it seeks any such missing information, clarification or confirmation or in declining to act upon any Instruction for which it does not receive clarification satisfactory to it.
       
  3.2. Verification and Security Procedures
       
    (a) J.P. Morgan and the Customer shall comply with any applicable Security Procedures with respect to the delivery or authentication of Instructions and shall ensure that any codes, passwords or similar devices are reasonably safeguarded.
       
    (b) Either party may record any of their telephone communications.
       
  3.3. Instructions; Contrary to Law/Market Practice
       
    J.P. Morgan need not act upon Instructions that it reasonably believes are contrary to law, regulation or market practice. J.P. Morgan shall be under no duty to investigate whether any Instructions comply with Applicable Law or market practice. In the event that J.P. Morgan does not act upon such Instructions, J.P. Morgan will notify the Customer where reasonably practicable.
       
  3.4. Cut-Off Times
       
    J.P. Morgan has established cut-off times for receipt of Instructions, which will be made available to the Customer. If J.P. Morgan receives an Instruction after its established cut-off time, J.P. Morgan will attempt on a reasonable efforts basis to act upon the Instruction on the day requested only if J.P. Morgan deems it practicable to do so or otherwise as soon as practicable after the day on which the Instruction was received.
       
  3.5. Electronic Access
       
    Access by the Customer to certain applications or products of J.P. Morgan via J.P. Morgan’s website or otherwise shall be governed by this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth in Annex A Electronic Access.

 

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4. FEES, EXPENSES AND OTHER AMOUNTS OWING TO J.P. MORGAN
       
  4.1. Fees and Expenses
       
    The Customer will pay J.P. Morgan for its services under this Agreement such fees as may be agreed upon in writing from time to time, together with J.P. Morgan’s reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses related to the Financial Assets, including, but not limited to, legal fees and tax or related fees incidental to processing charged directly or indirectly by governmental authorities, issuers or their agents. The Customer will pay J.P. Morgan for J.P. Morgan’s other reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, as may be agreed upon in writing, from time to time. Invoices will be payable within thirty (30) days of the date of the invoice. If the Customer disputes an invoice, it shall nevertheless pay, on or before the date that payment is due, such portion of the invoice that is not subject to a bona fide dispute. J.P. Morgan may deduct amounts invoiced from the Cash Account except such portion of the invoice that the Customer has objected to within thirty (30) days of the date of the invoice (or such other period as the parties may agree in writing). Without prejudice to J.P. Morgan’s other rights, J.P. Morgan reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts from the due date until actual payment at such rate as J.P. Morgan customarily charges for similar overdue amounts. Unless expressly specified in this Agreement, fees and expenses hereunder excludes any price or cost that J.P. Morgan may charge as the Customer’s counterparty in the event J.P. Morgan enters into a principal transaction with the Customer.
       
  4.2. Overdrafts
       
    If a debit to any currency in the Cash Account results or would result in a debit balance, then J.P. Morgan may, in its discretion, (i) advance an amount equal to the overdraft, (ii) refuse to settle in whole or in part the transaction causing such debit balance, or (iii) if any such transaction is posted to the Securities Account, reverse any such posting. If J.P. Morgan elects to make such an advance, the advance will be deemed a loan to the Customer, payable on demand, bearing interest at the applicable rate charged by J.P. Morgan from time to time, for such overdrafts, from the date of such advance to the date of payment (including after the date any judgment may be entered against the Customer with respect to any overdraft) and otherwise on the terms on which J.P. Morgan makes similar overdrafts available from time to time. No prior action or course of dealing on J.P. Morgan’s part with respect to the settlement of transactions on the Customer’s behalf will be asserted by the Customer against J.P. Morgan for J.P. Morgan’s refusal to make advances to the Cash Account or refusal to settle any transaction for which the Customer does not have sufficient available funds in the applicable currency in the Account. The Customer shall be deemed to be in default with respect to any such advance upon the occurrence of any event of the type specified in section 365(e)(1) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, as amended from time to time.
       
  4.3. J.P. Morgan’s Right Over Securities; Set-off
       
    (a) Without prejudice to J.P. Morgan’s rights under Applicable Law, J.P. Morgan and J.P. Morgan Affiliates shall have, and the Customer grants to J.P. Morgan and J.P. Morgan Affiliates, a first priority, perfected and continuing security interest in and a lien on all cash, Financial Assets and any other property of every kind that are credited to the Account or otherwise held for the Customer by J.P. Morgan (“Account Assets”) as security for any and all Secured Liabilities of the Customer to J.P. Morgan and/or any of J.P. Morgan Affiliates, and J.P. Morgan shall be entitled to withhold delivery of such Account Assets, and with one business days’ prior notice to the Customer and an opportunity for the Customer to satisfy such Secured Liabilities to J.P Morgan, sell or otherwise realize any of such Account Assets and to apply the proceeds and any other monies credited to the Cash Account in satisfaction of such Secured Liabilities. For this purpose, J.P. Morgan may make such currency conversions as may be necessary at its then current rates for the sale and purchase of the relevant currencies.
       
    (b) Without prejudice to J.P. Morgan’s rights under Applicable Law, J.P. Morgan may set off against any Secured Liabilities of the Customer owed to J.P. Morgan or any of J.P. Morgan Affiliates, any

 

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      amount in any currency (i) standing to the credit of any of the Customer’s accounts (whether deposit or otherwise) with any J.P. Morgan branch or office or with any J.P. Morgan Affiliate and/or (ii) owed to the Customer by any J.P. Morgan branch or office or by any J.P. Morgan Affiliate.
         
5. SUBCUSTODIANS AND SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES
         
  5.1. Appointment of Subcustodians; Use of Securities Depositories
         
    (a) J.P. Morgan is authorized under this Agreement to act through and hold the Customer’s Financial Assets with Subcustodians. J.P. Morgan will use reasonable care in the selection, monitoring and continued appointment of such Subcustodians. In addition, J.P. Morgan and each Subcustodian may deposit Financial Assets with, and hold Financial Assets in any Securities Depository on such terms as such Securities Depository customarily operates, and the Customer will provide J.P. Morgan with such documentation or acknowledgements that J.P. Morgan may require to hold the Financial Assets in such Securities Depository. On the basis of such terms, a Securities Depository may have a security interest or lien over, or right of set-off in relation to the Financial Assets.
         
    (b) Any agreement that J.P. Morgan enters into with a Subcustodian for holding J.P. Morgan’s customers’ assets will provide that such assets will not be subject to any right, charge, security interest, lien or claim of any kind in favor of such Subcustodian or its creditors except a claim for payment for their safe custody or administration, or, in the case of cash deposits, except for liens or rights in favor of creditors of the Subcustodian arising under bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law, and that the beneficial ownership thereof will be freely transferable without the payment of money or value other than for safe custody or administration, unless required otherwise by Applicable Law in the relevant market. J.P. Morgan shall be responsible for all claims for payment of fees for safe custody or administration so that no Subcustodian exercises any claim for such payment against the Customer’s assets. Where a Subcustodian deposits Financial Assets with a Securities Depository, J.P. Morgan will direct the Subcustodian to identify on its records that the Financial Assets deposited by the Subcustodian at such Securities Depository belong to J.P. Morgan, as agent of the Customer. This Section 5.1(b) will not apply to the extent of any special agreement or arrangement made by the Customer with any particular Subcustodian.
         
    (c) J.P. Morgan is not responsible for the selection or monitoring of any Securities Depository and will not be liable for any act or omission by (or the insolvency of) any Securities Depository. In the event the Customer incurs a loss due to an act or omission, negligence, willful misconduct or insolvency of a Securities Depository, J.P. Morgan will make reasonable efforts, in its discretion, to seek recovery from the Securities Depository, but J.P. Morgan will not be obligated to institute legal proceedings, file a proof of claim in any insolvency proceeding or take any similar action.
         
  5.2. Liability for Subcustodians
         
    (a) Subject to Section 7.1(b), J.P. Morgan will be liable for direct losses incurred by the Customer that result from:
         
      (i) the failure by a Subcustodian to use reasonable care in the provision of custodial services by it in accordance with the standards prevailing in the relevant market or from the fraud or willful misconduct of such Subcustodian in the provision of custodial services by it; or
         
      (ii) the insolvency of any Affiliated Subcustodian Bank.
         
    (b) Subject to Section 5.1(a) and J.P. Morgan’s duty to use reasonable care in the monitoring of a Subcustodian’s financial condition as reflected in its published financial statements and other publicly available financial information concerning it customarily reviewed by J.P. Morgan in its oversight process, J.P. Morgan will not be responsible for any losses (whether direct or indirect)

 

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      incurred by the Customer that result from the insolvency of any Subcustodian which is not a branch or an Affiliated Subcustodian Bank.
       
    (c) J.P. Morgan reserves the right to add, replace or remove Subcustodians. J.P. Morgan will give prompt notice of any such action, which will be advance notice if practicable. Upon request by the Customer, J.P. Morgan will identify the name, address and principal place of business of any Subcustodian and the name and address of the governmental agency or other regulatory authority that supervises or regulates such Subcustodian.
       
6. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
       
  6.1. Representations of the Customer and J.P. Morgan
       
    (a) The Customer or Fund, as applicable, represents, warrants and covenants that (i) it has full authority and power, and has obtained all necessary authorizations and consents (including from the Customer’s underlying clients, if applicable), to deposit and control the Financial Assets, Sealed Envelopes and cash in the Accounts, to use J.P. Morgan as its custodian in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to incur overdraft, to grant a lien over Account Assets as contemplated by Section 4.3 and to enter into foreign exchange transactions; (ii) assuming execution and delivery of this Agreement by J.P. Morgan, this Agreement is the Customer’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against the Customer in accordance with its terms and it has full power and authority to enter into and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of this Agreement; (iii) it has not relied on any oral or written representation made by J.P. Morgan or any person on its behalf, and acknowledges that this Agreement sets out to the fullest extent the duties of J.P. Morgan; (iv) each Fund is a resident of the United States and shall notify J.P. Morgan of any changes in residency; (v) the Financial Assets, Sealed Envelopes and cash deposited in the Accounts (other than those assets (A) pledged to a Counterparty pursuant to Section 2.1(c) or (B) held in Accounts established pursuant to certain account control agreements among the Customer, J.P. Morgan and secured party named therein, (A) and (B) collectively referred to as “Control Account Assets”) are not subject to any encumbrance or security interest whatsoever and the Customer undertakes that, so long as Liabilities of the Customer under or in connection with this Agreement are outstanding, it will not create or permit to subsist any encumbrance or security interest over such Financial Assets, Sealed Envelopes or cash (other than Control Account Assets); (vi) no delivery of Account Assets by the Customer to J.P. Morgan and no Instruction by the Customer with respect to such Account Assets will contravene Applicable Law; and (vii) none of the Financial Assets, Sealed Envelopes and cash to be held under this Agreement are “plan assets” as defined in Section 3(42) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, or the regulations thereunder except as otherwise expressly notified to J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan may rely upon the certification of such other facts as may be required to administer J.P. Morgan’s obligations under this Agreement and the Customer shall indemnify J.P. Morgan against all Liabilities arising directly or indirectly from any such certification given by Customer or a representative of Customer.
       
    (b) J.P. Morgan represents and warrants that (i) assuming execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Customer, this Agreement is J.P. Morgan’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against J.P. Morgan in accordance with its terms and (ii) it has full power and authority to enter into and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of this Agreement.
       
  6.2. The Customer is Liable to J.P. Morgan Even if it is Acting for Another Person
       
    If the Customer is acting as an agent or for another person as envisaged in Section 2.1(a) in respect of any transaction, cash or Financial Asset, J.P. Morgan nevertheless will treat the Customer as its principal for all purposes under this Agreement. In this regard, the Customer will be liable to J.P. Morgan as a principal in respect of any transactions relating to the Account. The foregoing will not affect

 

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    any rights J.P. Morgan might have against the Customer’s principal or the other person envisaged by Section 2.1(a).
       
  6.3. Special Settlement Services
       
    J.P. Morgan may, but shall not be obliged to, make available to the Customer from time to time special settlement services (including continuous linked settlement) for transactions involving Financial Assets, cash, foreign exchange, and other instruments or contracts. The Customer shall comply, and shall cause its Authorized Persons to comply, with the requirements of any external settlement agency through which such settlements may be processed, including, without limitation, its rules and by-laws, where applicable.
       
7. WHEN J.P. MORGAN IS LIABLE TO THE CUSTOMER
       
  7.1. Standard of Care; Liability
       
    (a) J.P. Morgan will use reasonable care in performing its obligations under this Agreement. J.P. Morgan will not be in violation of this Agreement with respect to any matter as to which it has satisfied its obligation of reasonable care.
       
    (b) J.P. Morgan will only be liable for the Customer’s direct losses and only to the extent they result from J.P. Morgan’s fraud, negligence, willful misconduct or material breach in performing its duties as set out in this Agreement and to the extent provided in Section 5.2(a). Under no circumstances will J.P. Morgan be liable for (i) any loss of profits (whether direct or indirect) or (ii) any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages of any form, incurred by any person or entity, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought, with respect to the Accounts, J.P. Morgan’s performance or non-performance under this Agreement, or J.P. Morgan’s role as custodian or banker.
       
    (c) The Customer will indemnify J.P. Morgan Indemnitees against, and hold them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any J.P. Morgan Indemnitees in connection with or arising out of (i) J.P. Morgan’s performance under this Agreement, provided that the J.P. Morgan Indemnitee has not acted with negligence or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct or material breach in connection with the Liabilities in question or (ii) any J.P. Morgan Indemnitee’s status as a holder of record of the Customer’s Financial Assets. J.P. Morgan Indemnitee shall notify the Customer in writing promptly after determining that it will seek indemnity under this Section 7.1 for any litigation or proceeding brought against such J.P. Morgan Indemnitee. A J.P. Morgan Indemnitee shall not consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement in any such litigation or proceeding without the Customer’s prior written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, where such entry of judgment or settlement involves will result in the Customer making a payment in excess of $50,000.
       
      Nevertheless, the Customer will not be obligated to indemnify any J.P. Morgan Indemnitee under this Section 7.1(c) with respect to any Liability for which J.P. Morgan is liable under Section 5.2(a) of this Agreement.
       
    (d) Except for any Liability owing to a third party (other than an Affiliate of J.P. Morgan or a Subcustodian for which J.P. Morgan is liable under Section 5.2 of this Agreement) asserting a claim against J.P. Morgan for which J.P. Morgan is entitled to be indemnified under this Agreement, under no circumstances will Customer be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages (including, without limitation, lost profits or business) of any form, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought.
       
    (e) The Customer agrees that J.P. Morgan provides no service in relation to, and therefore has no duty or responsibility to:

 

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      (i) question Instructions or make any suggestions to the Customer or an Authorized Person regarding such Instructions;
         
      (ii) supervise or make recommendations with respect to investments or the retention of Financial Assets;
         
      (iii) advise the Customer or an Authorized Person regarding any default in the payment of principal or income on any Financial Asset other than as provided in Section 2.7(b) of this Agreement; and
         
      (iv) evaluate or report to the Customer or an Authorized Person regarding the financial condition of any broker, agent or other party to which J.P. Morgan is instructed to deliver Financial Assets or cash. J.P. Morgan is not responsible or liable in any way for the genuineness or validity of any Security or instrument received, delivered or held by J.P. Morgan in physical form that appears to be genuine and valid.
         
  7.2. Force Majeure
         
    J.P. Morgan will maintain and update from time to time business continuation and disaster recovery procedures with respect to its global custody business that it determines from time to time meet reasonable commercial standards. J.P. Morgan will provide Customer with a copy of a general summary of such business continuation and disaster recovery procedures upon request. J.P. Morgan will have no liability, however, for any damage, loss, expense or liability of any nature that the Customer may suffer or incur, caused by an act of God, fire, flood, epidemics, earthquakes or other disasters, civil or labor disturbance, war, terrorism, act of any governmental authority or other act or threat of any authority (de jure or de facto), nationalization, expropriation, legal constraint, fraud or forgery (other than on the part of J.P. Morgan or its employees), malfunction of equipment or software (except where such malfunction is primarily and directly attributable to J.P. Morgan’s negligence in maintaining the equipment or software), currency re-denominations, currency restrictions, failure of or the effect of rules or operations of any external funds transfer system, inability to obtain (or interruption of) external communications facilities, power failures or any other cause beyond the reasonable control of J.P. Morgan (including, without limitation, the non-availability of appropriate foreign exchange).
         
  7.3. J.P. Morgan May Consult With Counsel
         
    J.P. Morgan will be entitled to rely on, and may act upon the advice of professional advisors (which may be the professional advisors of the Customer) in relation to matters of Applicable Law or market practice and will not be liable to the Customer under this Agreement for any action taken or omitted pursuant to such advice; provided that J.P. Morgan has selected and retained such professional advisers using reasonable care and acts reasonably in reliance on the advice.
         
  7.4. J.P. Morgan Provides Diverse Financial Services and May Generate Profits as a Result
         
    The Customer hereby authorizes J.P. Morgan to act under this Agreement notwithstanding that: (a) J.P. Morgan or any of its divisions, branches or J.P. Morgan Affiliates may have a material interest in transactions entered into by the Customer with respect to the Account or that circumstances are such that J.P. Morgan may have a potential conflict of duty or interest, including the fact that J.P. Morgan or J.P. Morgan Affiliates may act as a market maker in the Financial Assets to which Instructions relate, provide brokerage services to other customers, act as financial adviser to the issuer of such Financial Assets, act in the same transaction as agent for more than one customer, have a material interest in the issue of the Financial Assets; or earn profits from any of the activities listed herein and (b) J.P. Morgan or any of its divisions, branches or J.P. Morgan Affiliates may be in possession of information tending to show that the Instructions received may not be in the best interests of the Customer. J.P. Morgan is not under any duty to disclose any such information.

 

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  7.5. Assets Held Outside J.P. Morgan’s Control
         
    J.P. Morgan will not be obliged to (a) hold Financial Assets or cash with any person not agreed to by J.P. Morgan or (b) register or record Financial Assets in the name of any person not agreed to by J.P. Morgan. Furthermore, J.P. Morgan will not be obliged to register or record on J.P. Morgan’s records Financial Assets held outside of J.P. Morgan’s control. If, however, the Customer makes any such request and J.P. Morgan agrees to the request, the consequences of doing so will be at the Customer’s own risk. J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any losses incurred as a result and may be precluded from providing some of the services referred to in this Agreement (for example, and without limitation, income collection, proxy voting, class action litigation and Corporate Action notification and processing).
         
  7.6. Ancillary Services
         
    J.P. Morgan and its Subcustodians may use third party delivery services and providers of information regarding matters such as pricing, proxy voting, corporate actions and class action litigation and use local agents to provide extraordinary services such as attendance at annual meetings of issuers of Securities. Although J.P. Morgan will use reasonable care (and cause its Subcustodians to use reasonable care) in the selection and retention of such third party providers and local agents, it will not be responsible for any errors or omissions made by them in providing the relevant information or services.
         
  7.7. Service Locations
         
    J.P. Morgan maintains various operational/service centers and locations in the United States and other jurisdictions. The services provided under this Agreement may be provided from one or more such locations. J.P. Morgan may change the operational/service centers and locations as it deems necessary or appropriate for its business concerns.
         
8. TAXATION
         
  8.1. Tax Obligations
         
    (a) The Customer will pay or reimburse J.P. Morgan, and confirms that J.P. Morgan is authorized to deduct from any cash received or credited to the Cash Account, any taxes or levies required by any revenue or governmental authority for whatever reason in respect of the Customer’s Accounts. For the avoidance of doubt, J.P. Morgan hereby agrees that it may not deduct those taxes or levies applicable to one Fund from the Cash Account or Cash Accounts of another Fund.
         
    (b) The Customer will provide to J.P. Morgan (upon reasonable request) such certifications, declarations, documentation, and information as it may require in connection with taxation, and warrants that, when given, this information is true, complete and correct in every respect. The Customer undertakes to notify J.P. Morgan as soon as reasonably practicable if any information requires updating or correcting. J.P. Morgan provides no service of controlling or monitoring, and therefore has no duty in respect of, or liability for any taxes, penalties, interest or additions to tax, whether payable or paid, that result from
         
      (i) the inaccurate completion of documents by the Customer or any third party;
         
      (ii) the provision to J.P. Morgan or a third party of inaccurate or misleading information by the Customer or any third party;
         
      (iii) the withholding of material information by the Customer or any third party; or
         
      (iv) any delay by any revenue authority or any other cause beyond J.P. Morgan’s control.
         
    (c) If J.P. Morgan does not receive appropriate certifications, documentation and information then, as and when appropriate and required by a revenue or governmental authority, tax shall be deducted

 

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      from all income received in respect of the Financial Assets issued (including, but not limited to, withholding under United States Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, United States non-resident alien tax and/or backup withholding tax, as applicable).
         
    (d) The Customer will be responsible in all events for the timely payment of all taxes relating to the Financial Assets in the Securities Account; provided, however, that J.P. Morgan will be responsible for any penalty or additions to tax (including interest) due solely as a result of J.P. Morgan’s negligent acts or omissions with respect to paying or withholding tax or reporting interest, dividend or other income paid or credited to the Cash Account.
         
  8.2. Tax Relief Services
         
    (a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 8.2, J.P. Morgan will provide a “relief at source” service to obtain a reduction of withholding tax and any refund of any tax paid or tax credits as may be available in the applicable market in respect of income payments on Financial Assets credited to the Securities Account that J.P. Morgan believes may be available to the Customer. To defray expenses pertaining to nominal tax claims, J.P. Morgan may, in its reasonable discretion decline to pursue tax claims of a de minimis value.
         
    (b) The provision of a tax relief service by J.P. Morgan is conditional upon J.P. Morgan receiving from the Customer (to the extent reasonably requested by J.P. Morgan) (i) a declaration of its identity and place of residence and (ii) certain other documentation (pro forma copies of which are available from J.P. Morgan), prior to the receipt of Financial Assets in the Securities Account and/or the payment of income.
         
    (c) J.P. Morgan will perform tax relief services only with respect to taxation levied by the revenue authorities of the countries advised to the Customer from time to time and J.P. Morgan may, by notification in writing, in its absolute discretion, supplement or amend the countries in which the tax relief services are offered. Other than as expressly provided in this Section 8.2, J.P. Morgan will have no responsibility with regard to the Customer’s tax position or status in any jurisdiction.
         
9. TERMINATION
         
  9.1. Termination
         
    (a) The initial term of this Agreement shall be for a period of five (5) years following the date on which J.P. Morgan commenced providing services under the Agreement (the “Initial Term”). Following the Initial Term, the Customer may terminate this Agreement by giving not less than ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan may terminate this Agreement on one hundred and eighty (180) days’ prior written notice to the Customer.
         
    (b) Notwithstanding Section 9.1(a):
         
      (i) Either party may terminate this Agreement immediately on written notice to the other party in the event that a material breach of this Agreement by the other party has not been cured within thirty (30) days of that party being given written notice of the material breach;
         
      (ii) Either party may terminate this Agreement immediately on written notice to the other party upon the other party being declared bankrupt, entering into a composition with creditors, obtaining a suspension of payment, being put under court controlled management, being subject to an involuntary order for the transfer of all or part of its business by a statutory authority, having any of its issued shares suspended from trading on any exchange on which they are listed (if applicable) or being the subject of a similar measure;

 

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      (iii) J.P. Morgan may terminate this Agreement by giving not less than sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the Customer in the event that J.P. Morgan reasonably determines that the Customer has ceased to satisfy J.P. Morgan’s customary credit requirements and/or reputational or regulatory concerns; and
         
      (iv) The Customer may terminate this Agreement immediately on written notice within sixty (60) days following an assignment of this Agreement (a) to any J.P. Morgan Affiliate or subsidiary of J.P. Morgan or (b) in connection with a merger, reorganization, stock sale or sale of all or substantially all of J.P. Morgan’s custody business, for which J.P. Morgan did not obtain Customer’s consent.
         
      (v) The Customer may terminate this Agreement at any time during the Initial Term by giving not less than ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to J.P. Morgan upon payment of a termination fee. During the first and second years of the Initial Term, the termination fee will be an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $2 million and (ii) six (6) times the average monthly fees paid during the six (6) month period prior to the Customer’s notice of termination, or since the date on which J.P. Morgan commenced providing services under this Agreement if such period is less than six (6) months. During the third year of the Initial Term, the termination fee will be an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $1.25 million and (ii) four (4) times the average monthly fees paid during the four (4) month period prior to the Customer’s notice of termination. During the fourth and fifth year of the Initial Term, the termination fee will be zero.
         
  9.2. Exit Procedure
         
    The Customer will provide J.P. Morgan full details of the persons to whom J.P. Morgan must deliver Financial Assets and cash within a reasonable period before the effective time of termination of this Agreement. If the Customer fails to provide such details in a timely manner, J.P. Morgan shall be entitled to continue to be paid fees under this Agreement until such time as it is able to deliver the Financial Assets and cash to a successor custodian, but J.P. Morgan may take such steps as it reasonably determines to be necessary to protect itself following the effective time of termination, including ceasing to provide transaction settlement services in the event that J.P. Morgan is unwilling to assume any related credit risk. J.P. Morgan will in any event be entitled to deduct any amounts owing to it from the Cash Account prior to delivery of the Financial Assets and cash. In the event that insufficient funds are available in the Cash Account, the Customer agrees that J.P. Morgan may, in such manner and, at such time or times as J.P. Morgan in its sole discretion sees fit, liquidate any Financial Assets that J.P. Morgan in its sole discretion may select, in the Securities Account in order to deduct such amount from the proceeds (and, accordingly, J.P. Morgan will be entitled to sell Financial Assets and apply the sale proceeds in satisfaction of amounts owing to it). The Customer will reimburse J.P. Morgan promptly for all out-of-pocket expenses it incurs in delivering Financial Assets upon termination. Termination will not affect any of the liabilities either party owes to the other arising under this Agreement prior to such termination.
         
  9.3. Inactive Securities Accounts
         
    J.P. Morgan reserves the right to charge a reasonable account maintenance fee for any inactive Securities Account in respect of which J.P. Morgan has not received any Instructions for at least one (1) year. The Customer shall be notified by J.P. Morgan of such fee at its address last known to J.P. Morgan, and J.P. Morgan may automatically deduct such fee from the Cash Account. In the event that insufficient funds are available in the Cash Account, the Customer agrees that J.P. Morgan may, in its sole discretion, liquidate any Financial Assets from the Securities Account in such manner and at such time or times as J.P. Morgan deems appropriate in order to deduct the amount of the maintenance fee from the proceeds.

 

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10. MISCELLANEOUS
     
  10.1. Notifications
     
    Notices pursuant to Section 9 of this Agreement shall be sent or served by registered mail, nationally recognized delivery services, courier services or hand delivery to the address of the respective parties as set out on the first page of this Agreement, unless at least two (2) days’ prior notice of a new address is given to the other party in writing.
     
  10.2. Successors and Assigns
     
    This Agreement will be binding on each of the parties’ hereto and their respective successors and assigns. The parties agree that neither party can assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; except that J.P. Morgan may assign this Agreement without the Customer’s consent (a) to any J.P. Morgan Affiliate of J.P. Morgan or (b) in connection with a merger, reorganization, stock sale or sale of all or substantially all of J.P. Morgan’s custody business.
     
  10.3. Entire Agreement and Amendments
     
    This Agreement, including any Schedules, Exhibits, Annexes and Riders (and any separate agreement which J.P. Morgan and the Customer may enter into with respect to any Cash Account), sets out the entire agreement between the parties in connection with the subject matter hereof, and this Agreement supersedes any other agreement, statement or representation relating to custody, whether oral or written. To the extent inconsistent with this Agreement, J.P. Morgan’s electronic access terms and conditions shall not apply to matters arising under this Agreement. Amendments must be in writing and, except where this Agreement provides for amendments by notice from J.P. Morgan, signed by both parties.
     
  10.4. Information Concerning Deposits at J.P. Morgan’s Non-U.S. Branch
     
    Under U.S. federal law, deposit accounts that the Customer maintains in J.P. Morgan’s foreign branches (outside of the U.S.) are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In the event of J.P. Morgan’s liquidation, foreign branch deposits have a lesser preference than U.S. deposits, and such foreign deposits are subject to cross-border risks.
     
    To the extent any amount standing to the credit of the Cash Account is deposited in one or more deposit accounts at J.P. Morgan London Branch, please note that J.P. Morgan London Branch is a participant in the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (the “FSCS”). The terms of the FSCS offer protection in connection with deposits to certain types of claimants to whom J.P. Morgan London Branch provides services in the event that they suffer a financial loss as a direct consequence of J.P. Morgan London Branch being unable to meet any of its obligations and, subject to the FSCS rules regarding eligible deposits, the Customer may have a right to claim compensation from the FSCS. Subject to the FSCS rules, the maximum compensation payable by the FSCS, as at the date of this Agreement, in relation to eligible deposits is £75,000. For the purposes of establishing such maximum compensation, all the Customer’s eligible deposits at J.P. Morgan London Branch are aggregated and the total is subject to such maximum compensation.
     
    For further information about the compensation provided by the FSCS, refer to the FSCS website at www.FSCS.org.uk.
     
    Further information is also available online at www.jpmorgan.com/pages/deposit-guarantee-scheme-directive.
     
  10.5. Insurance
     
    The Customer acknowledges that J.P. Morgan will not be required to maintain any insurance coverage specifically for the benefit of the Customer. J.P. Morgan will, however, provide summary information regarding its own general insurance coverage to the Customer upon written request.

 

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  10.6. Security Holding Disclosure
       
    With respect to Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 14b-2 under the U.S. Shareholder Communications Act regarding disclosure of beneficial owners to issuers of Securities, J.P. Morgan is instructed not to disclose the name, address or Securities positions of the Customer in response to shareholder communications requests regarding the Account.
       
  10.7. U.S. Regulatory Disclosure
       
    (a) Section 326 of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (“USA PATRIOT Act”) requires J.P. Morgan to implement reasonable procedures to verify the identity of any person that opens a new account with it. Accordingly, the Customer acknowledges that Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act and J.P. Morgan’s identity verification procedures require J.P. Morgan to obtain information which may be used to confirm the Customer’s identity, including, without limitation, the Customer’s name, address and organizational documents (“identifying information”). The Customer agrees to provide J.P. Morgan with and consents to J.P. Morgan obtaining from third parties any such identifying information required as a condition of opening an account with or using any service provided by J.P. Morgan.
       
    (b) The Customer hereby acknowledges that J.P. Morgan is obliged to comply with AML/Sanctions Requirements and that J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any action it or any J.P. Morgan Affiliate reasonably takes to comply with any AML/Sanctions Requirement, including identifying and reporting suspicious transactions, rejecting transactions, and blocking or freezing funds, Financial Assets, or other assets. The Customer shall cooperate with J.P. Morgan’s performance of its due diligence and other obligations concerning AML/Sanctions Requirements, including with regard to any Beneficial Owners (as defined below). In addition, the Customer agrees that (i) J.P. Morgan may defer acting upon an Instruction pending completion of any review under its policies and procedures for compliance with AML/Sanctions Requirements and (ii) Customer’s utilization of Accounts as omnibus accounts to hold assets of Beneficial Owners is subject to J.P. Morgan’s discretion. Furthermore, J.P. Morgan shall not be obliged to hold any “penny stock” (or other Financial Asset raising special anti-money laundering concerns) in any Account in which a Beneficial Owner has an interest, or to settle any transaction in which a Beneficial Owner has an interest, that relates to any “penny stock” or any such other Financial Asset. For the purposes of this section, “Beneficial Owner” means any person, other than the Customer, who has a direct or indirect beneficial ownership interest in any assets held in any of the Account.
       
  10.8. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
       
    This Agreement will be construed, regulated and administered under the laws of the United States or the State of New York, as applicable, without regard to New York’s principles regarding conflict of laws, except that the foregoing shall not reduce any statutory right to choose New York law or forum. The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York will have the sole and exclusive jurisdiction over any lawsuit or other judicial proceeding relating to or arising from this Agreement. If that court lacks federal subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County will have sole and exclusive jurisdiction. Either of these courts will have proper venue for any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding, and the parties waive any objection to venue or their convenience as a forum. The parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of any of the courts specified and to accept service of process to vest personal jurisdiction over them in any of these courts. The parties further hereby knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally waive, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any right to statutory prejudgment interest and a trial by jury with respect to any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding arising or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. To the extent that in any jurisdiction the Customer or J.P. Morgan may now or hereafter be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (before or after judgment) or other legal process, the Customer or J.P. Morgan (as applicable) shall not claim, and it hereby irrevocably waives, such immunity.

 

Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016

Page 23

 

 
  10.9. Severability; Waiver; and Survival
         
    (a) If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect on the basis of any particular circumstances or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision or provisions under other circumstances or in other jurisdictions and of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired.
         
    (b) Except as otherwise provided herein, no failure or delay on the part of either party in exercising any power or right under this Agreement operates as a waiver, nor does any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude any other or further exercise, or the exercise of any other power or right. No waiver by a party of any provision of this Agreement, or waiver of any breach or default, is effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be enforced.
         
    (c) The parties’ rights, protections and remedies under this Agreement shall survive its termination.
         
  10.10. Confidentiality
         
    (a) Subject to Section 10.10(b), J.P. Morgan will hold all Confidential Information in confidence and will not disclose any Confidential Information except as may be required by Applicable Law, a regulator with jurisdiction over J.P. Morgan’s business, or with the consent of the Customer, provided that prior to disclosing any such Confidential Information pursuant to Applicable Law or as required by any such regulator in connection with a request for information specific to Customer, J.P. Morgan shall provide Customer with written notice within a reasonable time prior to disclosing Confidential Information to the extent practicable and legally permissible in order to permit Customer to seek a protective order prohibiting the disclosure of such Confidential Information.
         
    (b) The Customer authorizes J.P. Morgan to disclose Confidential Information to:
         
      (i) any Subcustodian subcontractor, agent, Securities Depository, securities exchange, broker, third party agent, proxy solicitor, issuer, or any other person that J.P. Morgan believes is reasonably required in connection with J.P. Morgan’s provision of relevant services under this Agreement;
         
      (ii) its professional advisors, auditors or public accountants;
         
      (iii) its branches and J.P. Morgan Affiliates; and
         
      (iv) any revenue authority or any governmental entity in relation to the processing of any tax claim.
         
      Except where J.P. Morgan is instructed to provide Confidential Information to a party designated by the Customer, J.P. Morgan agrees that any person to whom it discloses any Confidential Information pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) above has agreed to keep such Confidential Information confidential or has an internal policy to keep confidential client information confidential.
         
    (c) Except as (i) otherwise required by Applicable Law, (ii) required for disclosure in the Customer’s Registration Statement, or (iii) needed to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the parties shall hold the terms and conditions, including, without limitation, any commercial terms, of this Agreement in confidence.
         
  10.11. Use of J.P. Morgan’s Name
         
    The Customer agrees not to use (or permit the use of) J.P. Morgan’s name in any document, publication or publicity material relating to the Customer, including, but not limited to, notices, sales literature, stationery, advertisements, etc., without the prior written consent of J.P. Morgan (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), provided that no prior consent is needed if the document in which J.P. Morgan’s name is used merely states that J.P. Morgan is acting as custodian to the Customer.

 

Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016

Page 24

 

 
  10.12. Counterparts
       
    This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts each of which will be deemed to be an original and together will constitute one and the same agreement.
       
  10.13. No Third Party Beneficiaries
       
    A person who is not a party to this Agreement shall have no right to enforce any term of this Agreement.
       
  10.14. Cyber-security
       
J.P. Morgan will implement and maintain an information security program to safeguard customer information, and will provide Customer with a written summary of such program upon request.
       
  10.15. Obligations of Each Customer Several; Funds as Customers

 

(a) Although each Customer and J.P. Morgan are entering into this agreement for convenience, each Customer and J.P. Morgan intend that this Agreement constitute a separate agreement between each Customer and J.P. Morgan such that each reference to Customer shall be read solely as a reference to a single entity.

 

(b) J.P. Morgan acknowledges and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Customer hereunder shall be limited in all cases to the assets of the Customer and that J.P. Morgan may not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the officers, agents, employees, trustees, directors or shareholders of the Customer or of any other Customer hereto, and to the extent such trustees or officers are regarded as entering into this Agreement, they do so only as trustees or officers and not individually and that the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any such trustee, officer, employee or shareholder individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of such Customer. J.P. Morgan hereby agrees that such trustees, officers, employees or shareholders shall not be personally liable under this Agreement and that J.P. Morgan shall look solely to the property of the Customer for the performance of the Agreement or payment of any claim under the Agreement.

 

(c) This Agreement is an agreement entered into between J.P. Morgan and, with respect to each Customer that is also a Fund, each Fund, severally. With respect to any obligation of the Customer on behalf of any Fund arising out of this Agreement, J.P. Morgan shall look for payment or satisfaction of such obligation solely to the assets of the Fund to which such obligation relates with the same effect as if J.P. Morgan had separately contracted with the Customer by separate written instrument with respect to each Fund.

 

  10.16.  Additional Customers

 

(a) Any additional entity (each an “Additional Customer”) may be added to this Agreement as a Customer upon execution of this Agreement by J.P. Morgan and such Additional Customer. Any such joinder shall not require the prior written approval of, or the execution of any amendment to this Agreement by, any other Customer.

 

(b) Following the execution of this Agreement by J.P. Morgan and Additional Customer (i) each Additional Customer shall automatically be and become a party to this Agreement as a “Customer” hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named herein as a Customer; (ii) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Additional Customer shall expressly assume all obligations and liability of a Customer under this Agreement; and (iii) Exhibit A to this Agreement shall be automatically amended and restated to include each Additional Customer.

 

Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016

Page 25

 

 
FIRST EAGLE FUNDS, on behalf of the separate portfolios listed on Exhibit A
   
By:
Name:  Joseph Malone
Title: CFO First Eagle Funds
Date: 4/18/17
   
FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL CAYMAN FUND, LTD.
   
By:
Name: Joseph Malone
Title: SVP First Eagle Investment Mgmt
Date: 4/18/17
   
FIRST EAGLE US VALUE CAYMAN FUND, LTD.
   
By:
Name: Joseph Malone
Title: SVP First Eagle Investment Mgmt
Date: 4/18/17
   
FINANCIERE ROUGE LLC
By First Eagle Funds, its sole member
   
By:
Name: Joseph Malone
Title: SVP First Eagle Investment Mgmt
Date: 4/18/17
   
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
 
By:
Name: Brian Eckert
Title: Executive Director
Date: 5/19/2017
FIRST EAGLE VARIABLE FUNDS, on behalf of the separate portfolios listed on Exhibit A
 
By:
Name: Joseph Malone
Title: CFO First Eagle Funds
Date: 4/18/17
   
FIRST EAGLE OVERSEAS CAYMAN FUND, LTD.
 
By:
Name: Joseph Malone
Title: SVP First Eagle Investment Mgmt
Date: 4/18/17
   
FIRST EAGLE GOLD CAYMANS FUND, LTD.
 
By:
Name:  Joseph Malone
Title: SVP First Eagle Investment Mgmt
Date: 4/18/17
 
FINANCIERE BLEUE LLC
By First Eagle Funds, its sole member
 
By:
Name: Joseph Malone
Title: SVP First Eagle Investment Mgmt
Date: 4/18/17


 

Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016

Page 26

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Amendment as of the date first above written.

 

FIRST EAGLE FUNDS, on behalf of the separate portfolios listed on Exhibit A   FIRST EAGLE VARIABLE FUNDS, on behalf of the separate portfolios listed on Exhibit A
     
By:   By:
Name: Joseph Malone   Name: Joseph Malone
Title: CFO First Eagle Funds   Title: CFO First Eagle Funds
 
FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL CAYMAN FUND, LTD.   FIRST EAGLE OVERSEAS CAYMAN FUND, LTD.
       
By:   By:
Name: Joseph Malone   Name: Joseph Malone
Title: CFO First Eagle Funds   Title: CFO First Eagle Funds
 
FIRST EAGLE US VALUE CAYMAN FUND, LTD.   FIRST EAGLE GOLD CAYMAN FUND, LTD.
         
By:   By:
Name: Joseph Malone   Name:  Joseph Malone
Title: CFO First Eagle Funds   Title: CFO First Eagle Funds
 
FIRST EAGLE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND      
         
By:      
Name:  David O’Connor      
Title: General Counsel      
       
      JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
 
      By:
      Name: Carl Mehldau
      Title: Vice President
      Date: August, 25, 2020
3

AS WITNESS the hand of the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto

 

FIRST EAGLE SMALL CAP
OPPORTUNITY FUND
 
By:
Name:  Joseph Malone
Title: CFO First Eagle Funds
Date: 4/21/21
 
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
 
By:
Name: Carl Mehldau
Title: Vice President
Date April 21, 2021
   
with respect to the addition of the above Additional Customer
pursuant to Section 10.16(a) hereof.
 

AS WITNESS the hand of the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto

 

FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL REAL ASSET
FUND
  FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL REAL ASSETS
CAYMAN FUND, LTD.
       
By:     By:  
Name:  Joseph Malone   Name:  Joseph Malone
Title: CFO First Eagle Funds   Title: CFO First Eagle Funds
Date: 10/1/21   Date: 10/1/21
       
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.      
       
By:      
Name: Carl Mehldau      
Title: Vice President      
Date: 10/1/2021      

 

with respect to the addition of the above Additional Customer
pursuant to Section 10.16(a) hereof.

 

EXHIBIT A
LIST OF ENTITIES

(as of October 1, 2021)

 

First Eagle Funds

 

First Eagle Global Fund

 

First Eagle Overseas Fund

 

First Eagle U.S. Value Fund

 

First Eagle Gold Fund

 

First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund

 

First Eagle High Yield Fund

 

First Eagle Fund of America

 

First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund

 

First Eagle Global Real Asset Fund

 

First Eagle Variable Funds

 

First Eagle Overseas Variable Fund

 

First Eagle Global Cayman Fund, Ltd.

 

First Eagle Overseas Cayman Fund, Ltd.

 

First Eagle US Value Cayman Fund, Ltd.

 

First Eagle Gold Cayman Fund Ltd.

 

First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund

 

First Eagle Global Real Assets Cayman Fund, Ltd.

 

List of Subcustodians and Markets Used by J.P. Morgan

 

Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016

Page 28

 

 

 

Print Date : 19-Apr-21

 

Agent and Cash Network
(Custody & Fund Services)

 

Market Subcustodian Cash Correspondent Bank
Argentina HSBC Bank Argentina S.A.
Bouchard 557, 18th Floor
Buenos Aires C1106ABJ
Argentina
HSBC Bank Argentina S.A.
Buenos Aires
Australia

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

Level 18, 85 Castlereagh Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

 

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.
Melbourne

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A., Sydney Branch (for clients utilizing J.P. Morgan’s domestic AUD solution) J.P. Morgan affiliate

Sydney

Austria UniCredit Bank Austria AG
Julius Tandler Platz - 3,
Vienna A-1090
Austria

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt

 

Bahrain HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Road No 2832
Al Seef 428
Bahrain
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Al Seef
Bangladesh Standard Chartered Bank
Portlink Tower, Level-6, 67 Gulshan Avenue,
Gulshan
Dhaka 1212
Bangladesh
Standard Chartered Bank
Dhaka
Belgium

BNP Paribas Securities Services SCA (for clients contracting with J.P. Morgan (Suisse) SA and for all Belgian Bonds settling in the National Bank of Belgium (NBB)) 3, Rue d’Antin

 

Paris 75002
France

 

J.P. Morgan Bank Luxembourg S.A. (for clients contracting with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) J.P. Morgan affiliate

European Bank & Business Centre, 6, route de Treves

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

 

 

Correspondent banks are listed for information only.
Strictly Private and Confidential
Page 1 of 12
 
Market Subcustodian Cash Correspondent Bank
 

Senningerberg L-2633
Luxembourg

 

J.P. Morgan Luxembourg S.A. (for clients contracting with this entity) J.P. Morgan affiliate

European Bank & Business Centre, 6, route de Treves
Senningerberg L-2633
Luxembourg

 

J.P. Morgan Bank (Ireland) PLC (for clients contracting with this entity) J.P. Morgan affiliate

200 Capital Dock, 79 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay
Dublin D02 RK57
Ireland

 
Bermuda HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited
37 Front Street
Hamilton HM 11
Bermuda
HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited
Hamilton
Botswana Standard Chartered Bank Botswana Limited
5th Floor, Standard House, P.O. Box 496,
Queens Road, The Mall
Gaborone
Botswana
Standard Chartered Bank Botswana Limited
Gaborone
Brazil

J.P. Morgan S.A. DTVM J.P. Morgan affiliate

Av. Brigadeiro Faria Lima, 3729, Floor 06
Sao Paulo SP 04538 905
Brazil

J.P. Morgan S.A. DTVM J.P. Morgan affiliate

Sao Paulo

Bulgaria Citibank Europe plc
Serdika Offices, 10th Floor, 48 Sitnyakovo
Blvd
Sofia 1505
Bulgaria
ING Bank N.V.
Sofia
Canada

CIBC Mellon Trust Company (Note: Clients please refer to your issued settlement instructions)
1 York Street, Suite 900
Toronto Ontario M5J 0B6
Canada

 

Royal Bank of Canada (Note: Clients please refer to your issued settlement instructions)
155 Wellington Street West
Toronto M5V 3L3
Canada

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (For clients utilizing J.P. Morgan’s domestic CAD solution)
Toronto

 

Royal Bank of Canada
Toronto

Chile Banco Santander Chile
Bandera 140
Santiago
Chile
Banco Santander Chile
Santiago
China A-Share
Please refer to your Client Relationship Team for additional subcustodial options

JPMorgan Chase Bank (China) Company
Limited (Note: For CIBM Direct Only) J.P. Morgan affiliate

41st floor, Park Place, No. 1601, West Nanjing
Road, Jingan District
Shanghai null
The People’s Republic of China

JPMorgan Chase Bank (China) Company
Limited (Note: For CIBM Direct Only) J.P. Morgan affiliate

Shanghai

 

HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited (Note: Clients please refer to your issued settlement

 

Correspondent banks are listed for information only.
Strictly Private and Confidential
Page 2 of 12
 
Market Subcustodian Cash Correspondent Bank
 

 

HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited (Note: Clients please refer to your issued settlement instructions)
33/F, HSBC Building, Shanghai IFC, 8 Century
Avenue, Pudong
Shanghai 200120
The People’s Republic of China

instructions)
Shanghai
China B-Share HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited
33/F, HSBC Building, Shanghai IFC, 8 Century
Avenue, Pudong
Shanghai 200120
The People’s Republic of China

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

Hong Kong

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., New York J.P. Morgan affiliate

China Connect

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

18th Floor Tower 2, The Quayside, 77 Hoi Bun
Road, Kwun Tong
Hong Kong null

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Hong Kong J.P. Morgan affiliate
Colombia Cititrust Colombia S.A.
Carrera 9 A #99-02, 3rd Floor
Bogota
Colombia
Cititrust Colombia S.A.
Bogota
Costa Rica Banco BCT S.A.
150 Metros Norte de la Catedral
Metropolitana, Edificio BCT
San Jose
Costa Rica
Banco BCT S.A.
San Jose
Croatia Privredna banka Zagreb d.d.
Radnicka cesta 50
Zagreb 10000
Croatia
Zagrebacka banka d.d.
Zagreb
Cyprus HSBC Continental Europe, Greece
109-111, Messogion Ave.
Athens 11526
Greece

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

 

Czech Republic UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia, a.s.
BB Centrum - FILADELFIE, Zeletavska 1525-1,
Prague 1
Prague 140 92
Czech Republic
Ceskoslovenská obchodní banka a.s.
Prague
Denmark Nordea Bank Abp
Christiansbro, Strandgade 3, P.O. Box 850
Copenhagen DK-0900
Denmark
Nordea Bank Abp
Copenhagen
Egypt Citibank N.A., Egypt
Boomerang Building, Plot 46, Zone J, 1st
district, 5th Settlement,
New Cairo 11511
Egypt
Citibank N.A., Egypt
New Cairo
Estonia Access to the market via Clearstream Banking S.A., Luxembourg in its capacity as International Central Securities Depository

 

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

Finland Nordea Bank Abp J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

 

Correspondent banks are listed for information only.
Strictly Private and Confidential
Page 3 of 12
 
Market Subcustodian Cash Correspondent Bank
  Satamaradankatu 5
Helsinki FIN-00020 Nordea
Finland
Frankfurt am Main
France

BNP Paribas Securities Services SCA (for clients contracting with J.P. Morgan (Suisse)
SA and for Physical Securities and Ordre de Mouvement (ODMs) held by clients)
3, Rue d’Antin
Paris 75002
France

 

J.P. Morgan Bank Luxembourg S.A. (for clients contracting with this entity) J.P. Morgan affiliate

European Bank & Business Centre, 6, route de Treves
Senningerberg L-2633
Luxembourg

 

J.P. Morgan Bank Luxembourg S.A. (for clients contracting with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) J.P. Morgan affiliate

European Bank & Business Centre, 6, route de Treves
Senningerberg L-2633
Luxembourg

 

J.P. Morgan Bank (Ireland) PLC (for clients contracting with this entity) J.P. Morgan affiliate

200 Capital Dock, 79 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay
Dublin D02 RK57
Ireland

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

 

Germany

J.P. Morgan AG (for domestic German custody clients only) J.P. Morgan affiliate

Taunustor 1 (TaunusTurm)
Frankfurt am Main 60310
Germany

 

Deutsche Bank AG
Alfred-Herrhausen-Allee 16-24
Eschborn D-65760
Germany

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

Ghana Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC
Accra High Street, P.O. Box 768
Accra null
Ghana
Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC
Accra
Greece HSBC Continental Europe, Greece
109-111, Messogion Ave.
Athens 11526
Greece

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

 

Hong Kong

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

18th Floor Tower 2, The Quayside, 77 Hoi Bun Road, Kwun Tong
Hong Kong

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Hong Kong J.P. Morgan affiliate
Hungary Deutsche Bank AG
Hold utca 27
Budapest H-1054
UniCredit Bank Hungary Zrt.

 

Correspondent banks are listed for information only.
Strictly Private and Confidential
Page 4 of 12
 
Market Subcustodian Cash Correspondent Bank
  Hungary  
Iceland Islandsbanki hf.
Kirkjusandur 2
Reykjavik IS-155
Iceland
Islandsbanki hf.
Reykjavik
India

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

6th Floor, Paradigm B Wing, Mindspace, Malad (West)
Mumbai 400 064
India

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

Mumbai

 

Indonesia PT Bank HSBC Indonesia
WTC 3 Building - 8th floor
Jl. Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 29-31
Jakarta 12920
Indonesia
PT Bank HSBC Indonesia
Jakarta
Ireland

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

383 Madison Avenue
New York 10017
United States

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

 

Israel Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M.
35, Yehuda Halevi Street
Tel Aviv 65136
Israel
Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M.
Tel Aviv
Italy

J.P. Morgan Bank (Ireland) PLC (for clients contracting with this entity. Clients contracting with J.P. Morgan Bank Luxembourg S.A. please refer to your issued settlement instructions) J.P. Morgan affiliate

200 Capital Dock, 79 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay
Dublin D02 RK57
Ireland

 

BNP Paribas Securities Services SCA (for clients contracting with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. and J.P. Morgan (Suisse) SA. Clients contracting with J.P. Morgan Bank Luxembourg S.A. please refer to your issued settlement instructions)
Piazza Lina Bo Bardi 3
Milan 20124
Italy

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

 

Japan

Mizuho Bank Ltd. (Note: Clients please refer to your issued settlement instructions)
2-15-1, Konan, Minato-ku
Tokyo 108-6009
Japan

 

MUFG Bank, Ltd. (Note: Clients please refer to your issued settlement instructions)
1-3-2 Nihombashi Hongoku-cho, Chuo-ku
Tokyo 103-0021
Japan

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

Tokyo

 

Jordan Standard Chartered Bank
Shmeissani Branch, Al-Thaqafa Street,
Building #2 P.O. Box 926190
Amman
Standard Chartered Bank
Amman

 

Correspondent banks are listed for information only.
Strictly Private and Confidential
Page 5 of 12
 
Market Subcustodian Cash Correspondent Bank
  Jordan  
Kazakhstan Citibank Kazakhstan JSC
Park Palace, Building A, Floor 2, 41 Kazybek Bi
Almaty 050010
Kazakhstan
Subsidiary Bank Sberbank of Russia Joint
Stock Company
Almaty
Kenya Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited
Chiromo, 48 Westlands Road
Nairobi 00100
Kenya
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited
Nairobi
Kuwait HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Al Hamra Tower, Abdulaziz Al Sager Street
Sharq Area

Kuwait City
Kuwait
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Kuwait City
Latvia Access to the market via Clearstream Banking
S.A., Luxembourg in its capacity as International Central Securities Depository

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

 

Lithuania Access to the market via Clearstream Banking
S.A., Luxembourg in its capacity as International Central Securities Depository

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

 

Luxembourg BNP Paribas Securities Services SCA,
Luxembourg Branch
60 Avenue John F. Kennedy
Luxembourg L-1855
Luxembourg

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

 

Malawi

Clients may be required to upgrade certain clauses in their existing agreement prior to entry

Standard Bank PLC
Kaomba Centre, Cnr Glyn Jones Road & Victoria Avenue, P.O. Box 1111
Blantyre
Malawi
Standard Bank PLC
Blantyre
Malaysia HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad
2 Leboh Ampang, 12th Floor, South Tower
Kuala Lumpur 50100
Malaysia
HSBC Bank Malaysia Berhad
Kuala Lumpur
Mauritius The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited
HSBC Centre 18 Cybercity
Ebene Mauritius
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited
Ebene
Mexico Banco Nacional de Mexico S.A.
Act. Roberto Medellin No. 800 3er Piso Norte
Colonia Santa Fe
Mexico, D.F. 1210
Mexico
Banco Santander (Mexico) S.A.
Ciudad de México, C.P.
Morocco Société Générale Marocaine de Banques
55 Boulevard Abdelmoumen
Casablanca 20100
Morocco
Attijariwafa Bank S.A.
Casablanca
Namibia Standard Bank Namibia Limited
Erf 137, Standard Bank Centre, Chasie Street,
Hill Top, Kleine Kuppe
Windhoek
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
Johannesburg

 

Correspondent banks are listed for information only.
Strictly Private and Confidential
Page 6 of 12
 
Market Subcustodian Cash Correspondent Bank
  Namibia  
Netherlands

J.P. Morgan Bank Luxembourg S.A. (for clients contracting with this entity)
European Bank & Business Centre, 6, route de Treves
Senningerberg L-2633
Luxembourg

 

J.P. Morgan Bank Luxembourg S.A. (for clients contracting with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.) J.P. Morgan affiliate

European Bank & Business Centre, 6, route de Treves
Senningerberg L-2633
Luxembourg

 

BNP Paribas Securities Services SCA (for clients contracting with J.P. Morgan (Suisse) SA)
3, Rue d’Antin

 

Paris 75002
France

 

J.P. Morgan Bank (Ireland) PLC (for clients contracting with this entity) J.P. Morgan affiliate

200 Capital Dock, 79 Sir John Rogerson’s Quay
Dublin D02 RK57
Ireland

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

 

New Zealand

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

Level 13, 2 Hunter Street
Wellington 6011
New Zealand

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. New Zealand Branch (for clients utilizing J.P. Morgan’s domestic NZD solution) J.P. Morgan affiliate

Wellington

 

ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited
Wellington

Nigeria Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc
Plot 1712, Idejo Street Victoria Island
Lagos
Nigeria
Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc
Lagos
Norway Nordea Bank Abp
Essendropsgate 7, P.O. Box 1166
Oslo NO-0107
Norway
Nordea Bank Abp
Oslo
Oman HSBC Bank Oman S.A.O.G.
2nd Floor Al Khuwair
P.O. Box 1727
Seeb PC 111
Oman
HSBC Bank Oman S.A.O.G.
Seeb
Pakistan Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited
P.O. Box 4896, Ismail Ibrahim Chundrigar Road
Karachi 74000
Pakistan
Standard Chartered Bank (Pakistan) Limited
Karachi
Panama Citibank N.A. Panama Branch
Punta Pacifica,
Citibank N.A. Panama Branch
Panama

 

Correspondent banks are listed for information only.
Strictly Private and Confidential
Page 7 of 12
 
Market Subcustodian Cash Correspondent Bank
  Calle Punta Darien,
Torre De Las Americas,
Torre B, Piso 14
Panama
Panama
 
Peru Citibank del Perú S.A.
Canaval y Moreryra 480 Piso 3, San Isidro
San Isidro, L-27 L-27
Lima, Peru
Banco de Crédito del Perú
Lima 012
Philippines The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking
Corporation Limited
7/F HSBC Centre, 3058 Fifth Avenue West, Bonifacio Global City
Taguig City 1634
Philippines
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Taguig City
Poland Bank Handlowy w. Warszawie S.A.
ul. Senatorska 16
Warsaw 00-923
Poland
mBank S.A.
Warsaw
Portugal

BNP Paribas Securities Services SCA
3, Rue d’Antin

 

Paris 75002
France

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

 

Qatar HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Building 150, Airport Road
Doha
Qatar
The Commercial Bank (P.Q.S.C.)
Doha
Romania Citibank Europe plc
145 Calea Victoriei, 1st District
Bucharest 10072
Hungary
ING Bank N.V.
Bucharest
Russia

Commercial Bank “J.P. Morgan Bank
International” (Limited Liability Company) J.P. Morgan affiliate

10, Butyrsky Val, White Square Business
Centre, Floor 12
Moscow 125047
Russia

Sberbank of Russia
Moscow

 


JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

New York

Saudi Arabia

J.P. Morgan Saudi Arabia Company J.P. Morgan affiliate

Al Faisaliah Tower, Level 8, P.O. Box 51907
Riyadh 11553
Saudi Arabia

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. - Riyadh Branch J.P. Morgan affiliate

Riyadh

Serbia Unicredit Bank Srbija a.d.
Rajiceva 27-29
Belgrade 11000
Serbia
Unicredit Bank Srbija a.d.
Belgrade
Singapore DBS Bank Ltd
10 Toh Guan Road, DBS Asia Gateway, Level 04-11 (4B)
Singapore 608838
Singapore
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation
Singapore
Slovak Republic UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and Slovakia, a.s.
Sancova 1/A
Bratislava SK-813 33

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

 

Correspondent banks are listed for information only.
Strictly Private and Confidential
Page 8 of 12
 
Market Subcustodian Cash Correspondent Bank
  Slovak Republic  
Slovenia UniCredit Banka Slovenija d.d.
Smartinska 140
Ljubljana SI-1000
Slovenia

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

South Africa FirstRand Bank Limited
1 Mezzanine Floor, 3 First Place, Bank City Cnr
Simmonds and Jeppe Streets
Johannesburg 2001
South Africa
The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited
Johannesburg
South Korea

Kookmin Bank Co. Ltd. (Note: Clients please refer to your issued settlement instructions)
84, Namdaemun-ro, Jung-gu
Seoul 100-845
South Korea

 

Standard Chartered Bank Korea Limited (Note: Clients please refer to your issued settlement instructions)
47 Jongro, Jongro-Gu
Seoul 3160
South Korea

Kookmin Bank Co. Ltd. (Note: Clients please refer to your issued settlement instructions)
Seoul

 

Standard Chartered Bank Korea Limited (Note: Clients please refer to your issued settlement instructions)
Seoul

 

Spain CACEIS Bank Spain, S.A.U.
Parque Empresarial La Finca, Paseo Club
Deportivo 1, Edificio 4, Planta 2, Pozuelo de Alarcón
Madrid 28223
Spain

J.P. Morgan AG J.P. Morgan affiliate

Frankfurt am Main

Sri Lanka The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
24 Sir Baron Jayatillaka Mawatha
Colombo 1
Sri Lanka
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited
Colombo
Sweden Nordea Bank Abp
Hamngatan 10
Stockholm SE-105 71
Sweden
Svenska Handelsbanken
Stockholm
Switzerland UBS Switzerland AG
45 Bahnhofstrasse
Zurich 8021
Switzerland
UBS Switzerland AG
Zurich
Taiwan

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

8th Floor, Cathay Xin Yi Trading Building, No. 108, Section 5, Xin Yi Road
Taipei 11047
Taiwan

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

Taipei

Tanzania

Clients may be required to upgrade certain clauses in their existing agreement prior to entry

Stanbic Bank Tanzania Limited
Stanbic Centre, Corner Kinondoni and A.H.
Mwinyi Roads, P.O. Box 72648
Dar es Salaam
Tanzania
Stanbic Bank Tanzania Limited
Dar es Salaam
Thailand Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) Public Company Limited
14th Floor, Zone B, Sathorn Nakorn Tower, 90
North Sathorn Road Bangrak, Silom, Bangrak
Bangkok 10500
Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) Public Company Limited
Bangkok

 

Correspondent banks are listed for information only.
Strictly Private and Confidential
Page 9 of 12
 
Market Subcustodian Cash Correspondent Bank
  Thailand  
Tunisia

Union Internationale de Banques Societe

Generale SA
10, Rue d’Egypte, Tunis Belvedere
Tunis 1002
Tunisia

Banque Internationale Arabe de Tunisie S.A.
Tunis
Turkey

Citibank A.S.
Tekfen Tower, Eski Buyukdere Cad No:209 K:2,
Levent

 

Istanbul 34394
Turkey

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Istanbul Branch J.P. Morgan affiliate

Istanbul

 

Uganda Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited
5 Speke Road, PO Box 7111
Kampala
Uganda
Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited
Kampala

Ukraine

Restricted service only. Please contact your Relationship Manager for further information

Joint Stock Company “Citibank”
16-G Dilova Street
Kiev 03150
Ukraine

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

New York

 

Joint Stock Company “Citibank”
Kiev

United Arab Emirates HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
Emaar Square, Level 4, Building No. 5, P.O.
Box 502601
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
First Abu Dhabi Bank P.J.S.C
Dubai
United Kingdom

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

383 Madison Avenue
New York 10017
United States

 

Deutsche Bank AG Depository and Clearing Centre
10 Bishops Square
London E1 6EG
United Kingdom

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., London J.P. Morgan affiliate
United States

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

383 Madison Avenue
New York 10017
United States

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. J.P. Morgan affiliate

New York

Uruguay Banco Itaú Uruguay S.A.
Zabala 1463
Montevideo 11000
Uruguay
Banco Itaú Uruguay S.A.
Montevideo
Vietnam HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd.
106 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Phu Nhuan District
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd.
Ho Chi Minh City

WAEMU (Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Togo)

Clients may be required to upgrade certain clauses in

Standard Chartered Bank Côte d’Ivoire S.A.
23 Boulevard de la Republique 1
Abidjan 01 B.P. 1141
Ivory Coast
Standard Chartered Bank Côte d’Ivoire S.A.
Abidjan

 

Correspondent banks are listed for information only.
Strictly Private and Confidential
Page 10 of 12
 
Market Subcustodian Cash Correspondent Bank
their existing agreement prior to entry    
Zambia Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Plc
Standard Chartered House, Cairo Road P.O. Box 32238
Lusaka 10101
Zambia
Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Plc
Lusaka

Zimbabwe

Clients may be required to upgrade certain clauses in their existing agreement prior to entry

Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Limited
Stanbic Centre, 3rd Floor, 59 Samora Machel
Avenue
Harare
Zimbabwe
Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Limited
Harare

 

Correspondent banks are listed for information only.
Strictly Private and Confidential
Page 11 of 12
 

Schedule 2 Form of Board Resolution

 

To: JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

___________________________20____

 

We hereby certify that the following is a true copy of the minutes of the Board of Directors of _______________________________* (the “Company”) which was duly called and held on ___________________________20____ and at which a duly qualified quorum was present throughout and entitled to vote.

 

1. There was produced to the meeting a form of Custody Agreement provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“J.P. Morgan”) for use in connection with the opening of one or more cash and securities accounts and the conduct of such other transactions between the Company and J.P. Morgan as referred to therein. The form of Custody Agreement produced had been completed by an officer of the Company, and in particular it was noted that details of the Authorized Persons (as defined therein) and details of persons authorized to give instructions on behalf of the Company had been provided to J.P. Morgan. Details of any Fund Managers and Advisers had also been provided to J.P. Morgan. The indemnities given to J.P. Morgan in the Custody Agreement were also noted. The meeting considered the form of the Custody Agreement.
   
2. IT WAS RESOLVED that the form of Custody Agreement (together with the Schedules and Appendices), completed in the manner and form produced at the meeting, be and is hereby approved and that _______________________________** be and he/she is hereby authorized, for and on behalf of the Company, to sign and deliver the same together with such changes and amendments thereto as he/she may in his/her sole discretion think fit.
   
3. There was produced to the meeting a form of power of attorney (“power of attorney”) to be given by the Company to J.P. Morgan to enable J.P. Morgan to provide tax reclaim services as provided for in the Custody Agreement. The meeting considered the form of the power of attorney and in particular the indemnities contained in it. IT WAS RESOLVED that that power of attorney be and it is hereby approved and that it be executed under seal in accordance with the Company’s constitution.
   
   
DIRECTOR  
   
   
SECRETARY  

 

*Name of Company in full.

 

**Name of signer of the Agreement.

 

Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016  
Page 29
 

 

Schedule 3

 

J.P. Morgan Investor Services Global Custody Restricted Markets Schedule

 

The following table identifies certain markets that J.P. Morgan has determined to be restricted markets and provides summary information about the nature of the restrictions applicable in each. J.P. Morgan reserves the right to update this Schedule from time to time upon notice to Customer.

 

Market Restrictions
Costa Rica If J.P. Morgan’s Costa Rican Subcustodian exits the market or becomes an unacceptable provider of subcustody services, J.P. Morgan may cease to provide custody services with respect to Securities that are safekept in Costa Rica. Although J.P. Morgan will work with customers to mitigate the impact of any decision to exit the market, it may not be practicable to give significant advance notice of the exit.
Iceland Until further notice from J.P. Morgan, no deposits of Icelandic currency will be held in the Customer’s Cash Account except for the proceeds of sales of Securities safekept in Iceland (“Icelandic Securities”) or where income and corporate action proceeds are paid in local currency.
  Until further notice from J.P. Morgan, any credit of Icelandic currency to the Customer’s Cash Account with J.P. Morgan will be conditional and subject to reversal by J.P. Morgan upon notice to Customer except to the extent that the funds are able to be applied at Customer’s Instruction to the purchase of Icelandic Securities or J.P. Morgan is able to repatriate the funds from J.P. Morgan’s Icelandic Subcustodian via a foreign exchange transaction (upon Instruction received from Customer). In this regard, Customer will be entitled to no more than Customer’s pro rata share of any recoveries that J.P. Morgan is able to obtain, as reasonably determined by J.P. Morgan.
Malawi Local currency will be held in one or more separate cash accounts that the Customer opened with J.P. Morgan’s Malawi Subcustodian that are in the Customer’s name and payable exclusively by J.P. Morgan’s Malawi Subcustodian. In respect of the cash accounts, J.P. Morgan’s Malawi Subcustodian will be the Customer’s local agent bank and pursuant to a power of attorney, J.P. Morgan will have a right to instruct J.P. Morgan’s Malawi Subcustodian in respect to the one or more separate cash accounts that the Customer directly opened in the Customer’s name at the Subcustodian.
  Due to the unclear standards in the Malawi market with respect to the completion and submission of corporate action elections, J.P. Morgan will be subject to a “reasonable efforts” standard of care with respect to any Corporate Action related to Securities safekept in Malawi (“Malawi Securities”).
  If J.P. Morgan’s Malawi Subcustodian exits the market or becomes an unacceptable provider of subcustody services, J.P. Morgan may cease to provide custody services with respect to Malawi Securities. Although J.P. Morgan will work with customers to mitigate the impact of any decision to exit the market, it may not be practicable to give significant advance notice of the exit.
Tanzania Local currency will be held in one or more separate cash accounts that the Customer opened

 

J.P. Morgan Investor Services Global Custody

 

 

Market Restrictions
  with J.P. Morgan’s Tanzanian Subcustodian that are in the Customer’s name and payable exclusively by J.P. Morgan’s Tanzanian Subcustodian. In respect of the cash accounts, J.P. Morgan’s Tanzanian Subcustodian will be the Customer’s local agent bank and pursuant to a power of attorney, J.P. Morgan will have a right to instruct J.P. Morgan’s Tanzanian Subcustodian in respect to the one or more separate cash accounts that the Customer directly opened in the Customer’s name at the Subcustodian.
  Due to the unclear standards in the Tanzanian market with respect to the completion and submission of corporate action elections, J.P. Morgan will be subject to a “reasonable efforts” standard of care with respect to any Corporate Action related to Securities safekept in Tanzania (“Tanzanian Securities”).
  If J.P. Morgan’s Tanzanian Subcustodian exits the market or becomes an unacceptable provider of subcustody services, J.P. Morgan may cease to provide custody services with respect to Tanzanian Securities. Although J.P. Morgan will work with customers to mitigate the impact of any decision to exit the market, it may not be practicable to give significant advance notice of the exit.
Ukraine (for Ukrainian Equities only)

Customer should refer to the current version of the applicable J.P. Morgan’s Ukraine briefing memo regarding the account structure and corporate action nuances of the Ukrainian market.

 

For client opening accounts in Ukraine and unincorporated client types in particular, due to unclear standards in the Ukrainian market with respect to the completion and submission of corporate action elections, J.P. Morgan will be subject to a “reasonable efforts” standard of care with respect to any Corporate Action related to equity Securities safekept in Ukraine.

West African Economic and Monetary Union (“WAEMU”) Local currency will be held in one or more separate cash accounts that the Customer opened with J.P. Morgan’s WAEMU Subcustodian that are in the Customer’s name and payable exclusively by J.P. Morgan’s WAEMU Subcustodian. In respect of the cash accounts, J.P. Morgan’s WAEMU Subcustodian will be the Customer’s local agent bank and pursuant to a power of attorney, J.P. Morgan will have a right to instruct J.P. Morgan’s WAEMU Subcustodian in respect to the one or more separate cash accounts that the Customer directly opened in the Customer’s name at the Subcustodian.
  If J.P. Morgan’s WAEMU Subcustodian exits the market or becomes an unacceptable provider of subcustody services, or if market conditions otherwise deteriorate within one or more of the member states of WAEMU, J.P. Morgan may cease to provide custody services with respect to Securities issued in member states of WAEMU that are settled and safekept at Dépositaire Central/Banque de Règlement S.A. Although J.P. Morgan will work with customers to mitigate the impact of any decision to exit the market, it may not be practicable to give significant advance notice of the exit.
Zimbabwe Until further notice from J.P. Morgan, any credit of U.S. Dollars to the Customer’s Cash Account with J.P. Morgan applied at Customer’s Instruction to the purchase or sale of Securities safekept in Zimbabwe (the “Zimbabwe Securities”) will be conditional and subject to reversal by J.P. Morgan upon notice to Customer except to the extent that the funds are able to be repatriated or J.P. Morgan is able to repatriate the funds from J.P. Morgan’s Zimbabwean Subcustodian via a foreign exchange transaction (upon Instruction received from Customer). In this regard, Customer will be entitled to no more than Customer’s pro rata share of any recoveries that J.P.

 

J.P. Morgan Investor Services Global Custody

 

 

Market Restrictions
 

Morgan is able to obtain, as reasonably determined by J.P. Morgan.

 

If J.P. Morgan’s Zimbabwean Subcustodian exits the market or becomes an unacceptable provider of subcustody services, or if market conditions otherwise deteriorate, J.P. Morgan may cease to provide custody services with respect to Zimbabwe Securities. Although J.P. Morgan will work with customers to mitigate the impact of any decision to exit the market, it may not be practicable to give significant advance notice of the exit.

 

J.P. Morgan Investor Services Global Custody

 

Annex A Electronic Access

 

1. J.P. Morgan may permit the Customer and its Authorized Persons to access certain electronic systems and applications (collectively, the “Products”) and to access or receive electronically Data (as defined below) in connection with the Agreement. J.P. Morgan may, from time to time, introduce new features to the Products or otherwise modify or delete existing features of the Products in its sole discretion. J.P. Morgan shall endeavor to give the Customer reasonable notice of its termination or suspension of access to the Products, but may do so immediately if J.P. Morgan determines, in its sole discretion, that providing access to the Products would violate Applicable Law or that the security or integrity of the Products is at risk. Access to the Products shall be subject to the Security Procedures.
   
2. In consideration of the fees paid by the Customer to J.P. Morgan and subject to any applicable software license addendum in relation to J.P. Morgan-owned or sublicensed software provided for a particular application and Applicable Law, J.P. Morgan grants to the Customer a non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited and revocable license to use the Products and the information and data made available through the Products or transferred electronically (the “Data”) for the Customer’s internal business use only. The Customer may download the Data and print out hard copies for its reference, provided that it does not remove any copyright or other notices contained therein. The license granted herein will permit use by the Customer’s Authorized Person, provided that such use shall be in compliance with the Agreement, including this Annex. The Customer acknowledges that elements of the Data, including prices, corporate action information, and reference data, may have been licensed by J.P. Morgan from third parties and that any use of such Data beyond that authorized by the foregoing license, may require the permission of one or more third parties in addition to J.P. Morgan.
   
3. The Customer acknowledges that there are security, corruption, transaction error and access availability risks associated with using open networks such as the internet, and the Customer hereby expressly assumes such risks. The Customer is solely responsible for obtaining, maintaining and operating all software (including antivirus software, anti-spyware software, and other internet security software) and personnel necessary for the Customer to access and use the Products. All such software must be interoperable with J.P. Morgan’s software. Each of the Customer and J.P. Morgan shall be responsible for the proper functioning, maintenance and security of its own systems, services, software and other equipment.
   
4. In cases where J.P. Morgan’s web site is unexpectedly down or otherwise unavailable, J.P. Morgan shall, absent a force majeure event, provide other appropriate means for the Customer or its Authorized Persons to instruct J.P. Morgan or obtain reports from J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any Liabilities arising out of the Customer’s use of, access to or inability to use the Products via J.P. Morgan’s web site in the absence of J.P. Morgan’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
   
5. Use of the Products may be monitored, tracked, and recorded. In using the Products, the Customer hereby expressly consents to such monitoring, tracking, and recording. Individuals and organizations should have no expectation of privacy unless local law, regulation, or contract provides otherwise. J.P. Morgan shall own all right, title and interest in the data reflecting the Customer usage of the Products or J.P. Morgan’s web site (including, but not limited to, general usage data and aggregated transaction data). J.P. Morgan may use and sublicense data obtained by it regarding the Customer’s use of the Products or J.P. Morgan’s web site, as long as J.P. Morgan does not disclose to others that the Customer was the source of such data or the details of individual transactions effected using the Products or web site.
   
6. The Customer shall not knowingly use the Products to transmit (i) any virus, worm, or destructive element or any programs or data that may be reasonably expected to interfere with or disrupt the Products or servers connected to the Products; (ii) material that violates the rights of another, including but not limited to the intellectual property rights of another; and (iii) “junk mail”, “spam”, “chain letters” or unsolicited mass distribution of e-mail.
   
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016  
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7. The Customer shall promptly and accurately designate in writing to J.P. Morgan the geographic location of its users upon written request. The Customer further represents and warrants to J.P. Morgan that the Customer shall not access the service from any jurisdiction which J.P. Morgan informs the Customer or where the Customer has actual knowledge that the service is not authorized for use due to local regulations or laws, including applicable software export rules and regulations. Prior to submitting any document which designates the persons authorized to act on the Customer’s behalf, the Customer shall obtain from each individual referred to in such document all necessary consents to enable J.P. Morgan to process the data set out therein for the purposes of providing the Products.
   
8. The Customer will be subject to and shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations concerning restricting collection, use, disclosure, processing and free movement of the Data (collectively, the “Privacy Regulations”). The Privacy Regulations may include, as applicable, the Federal “Privacy of Consumer Financial Information” Regulation (12 CFR Part 30), as amended from time to time, issued pursuant to Section 504 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (15 U.S.C. §6801, et seq.), the Health and Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. §1320d), The Data Protection Act 1998 and Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to processing of personal data and the free movement of such data.
   
9. The Customer shall be responsible for the compliance of its Authorized Persons with the terms of the Agreement, including this Annex.
   
Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016  
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Appendix 1

 

Information Regarding Country Risk

 

1. To aid Customer in its determinations regarding Country Risk, J.P. Morgan shall furnish annually, and upon the initial placing of Financial Assets and cash into a country, the following information:
   
  A. Opinions of local counsel concerning:
     
  i. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the access of Customer’s independent public accountants to books and records kept by a Subcustodian located in that country which pertain to the Customer’s account.
     
  ii. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict Customer’s ability to recover its Financial Assets and cash in the event of the bankruptcy of a Subcustodian located in that country.
     
  iii. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict Customer’s ability to recover Financial Assets that are lost while under the control of a Subcustodian located in the country.
     
  iv. Whether applicable foreign law would restrict the Customer’s right as foreign investors to convert Customer’s cash or cash equivalents into U.S. dollars which have not yet been invested in securities.
     
  B. A market profile with respect to the following topics:
     

(i) securities regulatory environment, (ii) foreign ownership restrictions, (iii) foreign exchange, (iv) securities settlement and registration, (v) taxation, and (vi) securities depositories (including depository risk assessment), if any.

 

2. To aid Customer in monitoring Country Risk, J.P. Morgan shall furnish board the following additional information:

 

NewsFlashes, including with respect to changes in the information in market profiles

 

Global Custody Agreement - New York - General - DOCUMENT ID: [D2817270] - May 2016  
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Exhibit 99.(g)(5)

 

AMENDMENT
TO
AGENCY AGREEMENT

 

THIS AMENDMENT (“Amendment”) is entered into on September 27, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), by and between DST SYSTEMS, INC., (“DST”), FIRST EAGLE FUNDS, FIRST EAGLE VARIALBE FUNDS and FIRST EAGLE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND (collectively, the “Fund”). DST and the Funds are parties to the AGENCY AGREEMENT executed on March 1, 2016 and as subsequently amended (“Agency Agreement”).

 

WHEREAS, the parties intend to include additional products under Schedule I of the Agency Agreement

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, undertakings, covenants and conditions set forth herein, the Fund and DST agree to amend the Agency Agreement as follows:

 

1. Schedule I. List of Trusts. Schedule I, List of Trusts is deleted in its entirety and replaced with a new Schedule I, List of Funds attached hereto.
   
2. Effect on Agreement. As of the Effective Date, this Amendment shall be effective to amend the Agency Agreement and to the extent of any conflict between the Agency Agreement and this Amendment, this Amendment shall control. Except as specifically modified by this Amendment, the terms and conditions of the Agency Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Amendment to be executed by their respective duly authorized officers, to be effective as of the day and year first above written.

 

  FIRST EAGLE FUNDS   FIRST EAGLE VARIABLE FUNDS
  By:     By:  
           
  Title: SVP   Title: SVP
           
  FIRST EAGLE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND
  By:        
           
  Title: SVP      
           
  DST SYSTEMS, INC.      
  By:        
           
  Title: Authorized Representative      
 

Schedule I

 

LIST OF FUNDS
As of November 30, 2021

 

FUND/DESCRIPTION Class CUSIP
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund A 32010B205
First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund I 32010B106
First Eagle Fund of America R3 32008F358
First Eagle Fund of America R4 32008F341
First Eagle Fund of America R5 32008F333
First Eagle Fund of America R6 32008F325
First Eagle Fund of America A 32008F853
First Eagle Fund of America C 32008F846
First Eagle Fund of America I 32008F663
First Eagle Fund of America Y 32008F838
First Eagle Global Fund A 32008F507
First Eagle Global Fund C 32008F705
First Eagle Global Fund I 32008F606
First Eagle Global Fund R3 32008F622
First Eagle Global Fund R4 32008F614
First Eagle Global Fund R5 32008F598
First Eagle Global Fund R6 32008F580
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund A 32008F697
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund C 32008F689
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund I 32008F671
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund R3 32008F440
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund R4 32008F432
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund R5 32008F424
First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund R6 32008F416
First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund A 32008F192
First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund I 32008F184
First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund R6 32008F176
First Eagle Gold Fund A 32008F408
First Eagle Gold Fund C 32008F788
First Eagle Gold Fund I 32008F770
First Eagle Gold Fund R3 32008F481
First Eagle Gold Fund R4 32008F473
First Eagle Gold Fund R5 32008F465
First Eagle Gold Fund R6 32008F457
First Eagle High Income Fund R3 32008F390
First Eagle High Income Fund R4 32008F382
First Eagle High Income Fund R5 32008F374
First Eagle High Income Fund R6 32008F366
First Eagle High Income Fund A 32008F739
First Eagle High Income Fund C 32008F721
 
First Eagle High Income Fund I 32008F713
First Eagle Overseas Fund A 32008F101
First Eagle Overseas Fund C 32008F804
First Eagle Overseas Fund I 32008F200
First Eagle Overseas Fund R3 32008F572
First Eagle Overseas Fund R4 32008F564
First Eagle Overseas Fund R5 32008F556
First Eagle Overseas Fund R6 32008F549
First Eagle Overseas Variable Fund   32008B100
First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund A 32008F226
First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund I 32008F234
First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund R6 32008F218
First Eagle U.S. Value Fund R3 32008F531
First Eagle U.S. Value Fund R4 32008F523
First Eagle U.S. Value Fund R5 32008F515
First Eagle U.S. Value Fund R6 32008F499
First Eagle US Value Fund A 32008F887
First Eagle US Value Fund C 32008F879
First Eagle US Value Fund I 32008F861
 

Exhibit 99.(h)(8)

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT

BETWEEN

EACH FIRST EAGLE ENTITY SET FORTH ON EXHIBIT A HERETO

AND

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

 

INVESTOR SERVICES

jpmorgan.com

 

Table of Contents

 

1. INTENTION OF THE PARTIES; DEFINITIONS 1
1.1. Intention of the Parties 1
1.2. Definitions; Interpretation 1
 
2. WHAT J.P. MORGAN IS REQUIRED TO DO 3
2.1. The Services 3
2.2. No Duty to Monitor Compliance 4
2.3. No Responsibility for Tax Returns 4
2.4. Storage of Records 4
2.5. Compliance with Laws and Regulations 4
2.6. Change Control 4
 
3. INSTRUCTIONS 5
3.1. Acting on Instructions; Method of Instruction; and Unclear Instructions 5
3.2. Verification and Security Procedures 5
3.3. Instructions Contrary To Applicable Law/Market Practice 5
3.4. Cut-Off Times 6
3.5. Electronic Access 6
 
4. FEES AND EXPENSES OWING TO J.P. MORGAN 6
4.1. Fees and Expenses 6
 
5. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS 7
5.1. Representations of the Customer and J.P. Morgan 7
5.2. The Customer to Provide Certain Information to J.P. Morgan 7
5.3. Information Used to Provide the Service 7
5.4. Know Your Customer Rules 7
 
6. WHERE J.P. MORGAN IS LIABLE TO THE CUSTOMER OR THE FUNDS 8
6.1. Standard of Care; Liability 8
6.2. Force Majeure 8
6.3. J.P. Morgan May Consult with Counsel 8
6.4. Limitations of J.P. Morgan’s Liability 9
 
7. TERM AND TERMINATION 10
7.1. Term and Termination 10
7.2. Other Grounds for Termination 10
7.3. Consequences of Termination 10
7.4. Transition following Termination 10
 
8. MISCELLANEOUS 11
8.1. Notices 11
8.2. Successors and Assigns 11
8.3. Entire Agreement 11
8.4. Insurance 11
8.5. Governing Law and Jurisdiction 11
8.6. Severability; Waiver; and Survival 12
8.7. Confidentiality 12
8.8. Use of J.P. Morgan’s Name 13
 
8.9. Delegation 13
8.10. Counterparts 13
8.11. No Third Party Beneficiaries 13
8.12. Cyber-security 13
8.13. Obligations of Each Customer Several; Funds as Customers 13
Exhibit A List of Entities 15
Schedule 1 Accounting and NAV Calculation Services 16
APPENDIX A Net Asset Value Error Correction Policy and Procedures 17
Schedule 2 Fund Administration Services 19
Schedule 3 OTC Derivative Administration Solutions 21
Annex A Electronic Access 22
 

AMENDED AND RESTATED FUND SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

This agreement, dated September 9, 2020 (this “Agreement”), is between each entity managed by First Eagle Investment Management, LLC or First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC, that is set forth on Exhibit A, each of whose principal place of business is at 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10105 (each, the “Customer”), and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. with a place of business at 70 Fargo Street, Boston, MA 02210 (“J.P. Morgan”).

 

1. INTENTION OF THE PARTIES; DEFINITIONS

 

  1.1. Intention of the Parties

 

  (a) Each Customer that is a Fund is a management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, with the purpose of investment of its assets in certain types of securities and instruments, as more fully described in the Funds’ Registration Statement, as amended from time to time.

 

  (b) The Customer has requested J.P. Morgan to provide Accounting and NAV Calculation Services, Fund Administration Services and OTC Derivative Administration Solutions, which J.P. Morgan has agreed to do subject to the terms and conditions appearing in this Agreement and the Schedules hereto. J.P. Morgan will be responsible for the performance of only those duties set forth in this Agreement.

 

  1.2. Definitions; Interpretation

 

  (a) As used in this Agreement and the Schedules and Appendices to this Agreement, the following terms have the meaning hereinafter stated.
     
  “Accounting and NAV Calculation Services” means the services described in Schedule 1 Accounting and NAV Calculation Services.
     
  “Advisers Act” means the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
     
  “Affiliate” means an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, J.P. Morgan or the Customer, as the case may be.
     
  “Applicable Law” means any applicable statute (including the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“1933 Act”) and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, (“1934 Act”)), treaty, rule, regulation or law (including common law) and any applicable decree, injunction, judgment, order, formal interpretation or ruling issued by a court or governmental entity.
     
  “Articles” means the formation documents (such as articles of incorporation or declaration of trust) of the Customer, as amended from time to time.
     
  “Authorized Person” means any person who has been designated by the Customer (or by any agent designated by the Customer, including the Investment Adviser) to act on behalf of the Customer under this Agreement and any person who has been given an access code by a security administrator appointed by the Customer which allows the provision of Instructions. Such persons will continue to be Authorized Persons until such time as J.P. Morgan receives, and has had reasonable time to act upon, Instructions from the Customer (or its agent) that any such person is no longer an Authorized Person.
   
  “Board” means the board of trustees of the Customer.
     
  “Change” has the meaning given in Section 2.6.
     
  “Change Control” means the process set out in Section 2.6.
     
  “Change Request” has the meaning given in Section 2.6.

 

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“Confidential Information” means and includes all non-public information concerning the Customer and/or the Funds which J.P. Morgan receives in the course of providing services under this Agreement. Nevertheless, the term Confidential Information shall not include information which is or becomes available to the general public by means other than J.P. Morgan’s breach of the terms of this Agreement or information which J.P. Morgan develops independently without using the Customer’s confidential information or obtains on a non-confidential basis from a person who is not known to be subject to any obligation of confidence to any person with respect to that information.

 

“Fees” means the payments described in Article 4, to be made by the Customer to J.P. Morgan for the Services.

 

“Fund Administration Services” means the services described in Schedule 2 Fund Administration Services.

 

“Fund(s)” means each separate portfolio of the First Eagle Funds and First Eagle Variable Funds.

 

“Instruction” means an instruction that has been verified in accordance with a Security Procedure or, if no Security Procedure is applicable, which J.P. Morgan believes in good faith to have been given by an Authorized Person.

 

“Investment Adviser” means any person or entity appointed as investment adviser or manager of any of the Funds, in accordance with the Registration Statement.

 

“J.P. Morgan Indemnitees” means J.P. Morgan, its Affiliates, and their respective nominees, directors, officers, employees and agents.

 

“Liabilities” means any liabilities, losses, claims, costs, damages, penalties, fines, obligations, taxes (other than taxes based solely on J.P. Morgan’s income) or expenses of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’, accountants’, consultants’ or experts’ fees and disbursements).

 

“1940 Act” means the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

“OTC Derivative Administration Solutions” means the services described in Schedule 3 OTC Derivative Administration Solutions.

 

“OTC Derivative Contract” means any contract of a type that J.P. Morgan, acting reasonably, determines to be an over-the-counter derivative.

 

“Prospectus” means the prospectus of the applicable Fund as supplemented, updated or amended from time to time.

 

“Registration Statement” means the registration statement on Form N-1A or Form N-2 of the applicable Fund, filed under the 1933 Act and the 1940 Act, as amended or supplemented, updated or amended from time to time.

 

“SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Security Procedure” means any security procedure to be followed by Customer upon the issuance of an Instruction and/or by J.P. Morgan upon the receipt of an Instruction, so as to enable J.P. Morgan to verify that such Instruction is authorized, as set forth in the operating procedures documentation in effect from time to time between the parties with respect to the services set forth in this Agreement, or as otherwise agreed in writing by the parties. A Security Procedure may, without limitation, involve the use of algorithms, codes, passwords, encryption and telephone call backs and may be updated by J.P. Morgan from time to time upon notice to the Customer. The Customer acknowledges that Security Procedures are designed to verify the authenticity of, and not detect errors in, Instructions. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties agree that a SWIFT message issued in the name of the Customer through any third party utility agreed upon by the parties as being a method for providing Instructions and authenticated in accordance with that utility’s customary procedures, shall be deemed to be an authorized Instruction; provided that nothing in the foregoing clause shall require Customer to use SWIFT messaging as a method for providing Instructions.

 

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  “Service Commencement Date” means the first date on which J.P. Morgan is entitled to receive Fees under this Agreement.
     
  “Services” means the Accounting and NAV Calculation Services, Fund Administration Services, and OTC Derivative Administration Solutions.
     
  “Share Transaction” means a purchase, redemption, repurchase offer, or exchange transaction of Shares.
     
  “Shareholder Records” means the records maintained by the Transfer Agent containing information concerning the Shareholders and Share Transactions.
     
  “Shares” means the shares issued by the Customer or the Funds.
   
  “Shareholder” means a holder of Shares.

 

  (b) Headings are for reference and convenience only and are not intended to affect interpretation.
     
  (c) References to articles and sections are to articles and sections of this Agreement and references to sub-sections and paragraphs are to sub-sections of the Sections and paragraphs of the sub-sections in which they appear.
     
  (d) Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Agreement to “persons” shall include legal as well as natural entities; references importing the singular shall include the plural (and vice versa); use of the generic masculine pronoun shall include the feminine; use of the term “including” shall be deemed to mean “including but not limited to,” and references to appendices and numbered sections shall be to such addenda and provisions herein; all such addenda are hereby incorporated in this Agreement by reference.

 

2. WHAT J.P. MORGAN IS REQUIRED TO DO

 

  2.1. The Services.

 

  (a) The Customer hereby appoints J.P. Morgan to act as administrator of and to provide the Services with respect to each of the Customers and J.P. Morgan agrees to act as administrator of and to provide the Services with respect to each of the Customers (subject to any limitations notified by the Customer to J.P. Morgan in writing and subject to any requirements or restrictions imposed on the performance of such functions by any statutory provisions for the time being in force), until this Agreement is terminated as hereinafter provided.
     
  (b) Customer will endeavor to provide J.P. Morgan with advance notice of material amendments to the Articles, Registration Statement or the Prospectus, and will provide such amendments to J.P. Morgan promptly after effectiveness. J.P. Morgan shall not be required to act in accordance with any amendments to the Articles, Registration Statement or the Prospectus that it does not receive a reasonable amount of time prior to such amendment or revision becoming effective or that are in any way inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, but J.P. Morgan will use its best efforts to implement any such amendment. If any such proposed amendment is inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Customer shall promptly submit a Change Request in accordance Section 2.6.
     
  (c) J.P. Morgan shall act as an agent of the Customer and/or the Funds solely with respect to the duties of J.P. Morgan described in this Agreement.
     
  (d) The Customer acknowledges that J.P. Morgan is not providing any legal, tax or investment advice in providing the Services.

 

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  2.2. No Duty to Monitor Compliance.
     
    Each party hereto acknowledges that the duty of J.P. Morgan in its capacity as the provider of any of the Services shall not constitute a duty to monitor the compliance of any other party hereto or their delegates or any other person whatsoever (other than J.P. Morgan or any of its Affiliates or sub-contractors) with any restriction or guideline imposed on any of the Funds or the Investment Adviser by the Registration Statement and any other document, or by law or regulation or otherwise with regard to any of the Funds or the Investment Adviser, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement and further, that the duties of J.P. Morgan in its capacity as the provider of any of the Services, shall not extend to enforcing compliance of any of the Funds, the Investment Adviser, their respective delegates or any other person whatsoever (other than J.P. Morgan or any of its Affiliates or sub-contractors) with any such restrictions or guidelines.
     
  2.3. No Responsibility for Tax Returns.
     
    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, while J.P. Morgan shall provide the Customer with information regarding taxable events in the United States in relation to the Customer and/or the Funds, J.P. Morgan is not responsible for preparing or filing any tax reports or returns on behalf of the Shareholders or the Funds except as expressly set forth in this Agreement.
     
  2.4. Storage of Records.
     
    J.P. Morgan is authorized to maintain all accounts, registers, corporate books and other documents on magnetic tape or disc, or on any other mechanical or electronic system; provided that they are capable of being reproduced in legible form in accordance with Applicable Law. All such records for the Funds are the property of the Customer. If requested by Customer, J.P. Morgan shall provide a copy of any and all such records to the Customer. Where any Authorized Person, including any Fund’s auditor, wishes to inspect such documents maintained by J.P. Morgan, J.P. Morgan shall provide legible documents, for the discharge of the Fund’s and its auditors’ legal and regulatory duties. The applicable Funds shall be responsible for the payment of any reasonable research and copying costs associated with any such request, in accordance with J.P. Morgan’s customary practices.
     
  2.5. Compliance with Laws and Regulations.
     
    J.P. Morgan will comply with Applicable Law in the United States with respect to the provision of the Services. The Customer shall comply (and to cause the Funds to comply) with Applicable Law in the United States and in each state in which the Customer conducts business, to the extent that compliance with such Applicable Law is relevant to the provision or receipt of the Services or the marketing of the Funds.
     
  2.6. Change Control.

 

  (a) If either party wishes to propose any amendment or modification to, or variation of, the Services including the scope or details of the Services (a “Change”) then it shall notify the other party of that fact by sending a written request (a “Change Request”) to the party, specifying in as much detail as is reasonably practicable the nature of the Change. J.P. Morgan shall maintain a log of all Change Requests.
     
  (b) Promptly following the receipt of a Change Request the parties shall agree in writing whether to implement the Change Request, whether the Fees should be modified in light of the change to the Services, and the basis upon which J.P. Morgan will be compensated for implementing the Change Request.
     
  (c) If a change to Applicable Law requires a change to the provision of the Services, or an increase in J.P. Morgan’s costs or risk associated with provision of the Services, the parties shall follow the

 

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    Change Control processes set forth in this Section. J.P. Morgan shall bear its own costs with respect to implementing such a Change Request except that:

 

  (i) J.P. Morgan shall be entitled to charge the Customer for any changes to software that has been developed or customized for the Customer; and
     
  (ii) J.P. Morgan shall be entitled to charge the Customer for any changes required as a result of the change in Applicable Law affecting the Customer and/or any of its Funds in a materially different way than it affects J.P. Morgan’s other customers, or which the Customer wishes J.P. Morgan to implement in a way different from what J.P. Morgan reasonably intends to implement for its other customers.

 

3. INSTRUCTIONS

 

  3.1. Acting on Instructions; Method of Instruction; and Unclear Instructions.

 

  (a) The Customer authorizes J.P. Morgan to accept, rely upon and/or act upon any Instructions received by it without inquiry. The Customer will indemnify the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees against, and hold each of them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees as a result of any action or omission taken in accordance with any Instruction unless the Liabilities result from an act of negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees with respect to the manner in which such Instructions are followed.
     
  (b) J.P. Morgan shall promptly notify an Authorized Person or Shareholder, as applicable, if J.P. Morgan determines that an Instruction does not contain all information reasonably necessary for J.P. Morgan to carry out the Instruction. J.P. Morgan may decline to act upon an Instruction if it does not receive clarification or confirmation satisfactory to it. J.P. Morgan will not be liable for any loss arising from any reasonable delay in carrying out any such Instruction while it seeks such missing information, clarification or confirmation or in declining to act upon any Instruction for which it does not receive clarification satisfactory to it.
     
  (c) Where reasonably practicable, the Customer will use automated and electronic methods of sending Instructions.

 

  3.2. Verification and Security Procedures.

 

  (a) J.P. Morgan and the Customer shall comply with any applicable Security Procedures with respect to the delivery or authentication of Instructions and shall ensure that any codes, passwords or similar devices are reasonably safeguarded.
     
  (b) Either party may record any of its telephone communications.

 

  3.3. Instructions Contrary To Applicable Law/Market Practice.

 

  (a) J.P. Morgan need not act upon Instructions which it reasonably believes to be contrary to law, regulation or market practice but J.P. Morgan shall be under no duty to investigate whether any Instructions comply with Applicable Law or market practice. In the event J.P. Morgan does not act upon such Instructions, J.P. Morgan will promptly notify Customer.
     
  (a) J.P. Morgan shall not incur liability by refusing in good faith to perform any duty or obligation herein which in its reasonable judgment is improper or unauthorized.

 

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  3.4. Cut-Off Times.
     
    J.P. Morgan has established cut-off times for receipt of Instructions, which will be made available to the Customer. If J.P. Morgan receives an Instruction (other than Instructions relating to a Share Transaction, which shall be processed by J.P. Morgan in accordance with the Registration Statement) after its established cut-off time, J.P. Morgan will attempt to act upon the Instruction on the day requested if J.P. Morgan deems it practicable to do so or otherwise as soon as practicable after that day.
     
  3.5. Electronic Access.
     
    Access by the Customer to certain applications or products of J.P. Morgan via J.P. Morgan’s web site or otherwise shall be governed by this Agreement and the terms and conditions set forth in Annex A Electronic Access.

 

4. FEES AND EXPENSES OWING TO J.P. MORGAN

 

  4.1. Fees and Expenses.

 

  (a) The Customer will pay J.P. Morgan for the Services under this Agreement the Fees as set forth in the Fee Schedule as attached hereto, or as otherwise agreed upon in writing between the Customer and J.P. Morgan from time to time. J.P. Morgan may make reasonable amendments to the Fees at any time should either (i) the Customer’s actual investment portfolio and/or trading activity differ significantly from the assumptions used to develop J.P. Morgan’s fee proposal or (ii) the Customer’s service requirements change.
     
  (b) In addition to the Fees provided for above, the Customer shall be responsible for, and shall reimburse J.P. Morgan for, the payment of all governmental or similar fees, charges, taxes, duties and imposts levied in or by any relevant authority in the United States on or in respect of the Customer and/or any Fund which are incurred by J.P. Morgan. The Customer shall reimburse J.P. Morgan for reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses related to the Funds, including, but not limited to, market data charges, pricing vendors charges, travel costs, telephone, postage and stationery and expenses of a similar nature as J.P. Morgan may incur in the execution of its duties under this Agreement and including the costs and expenses, by the Customer’s request or with the Customer’s agreement, incurred by J.P. Morgan and its agents in determining the value of assets in connection with its duty as the calculator of the Net Asset Value of the Funds or any Shares and in connection with the performance of its duties pursuant to this Agreement. The Customer will pay J.P. Morgan for J.P. Morgan’s other reasonable out-of-pocket or incidental expenses, as may be agreed upon in writing, from time to time.
     
  (c) Invoices will be payable within thirty (30) days of the date of the receipt of invoice. If the Customer disputes an invoice, it shall nevertheless pay on or before the date that payment is due such portion of the invoice that is not subject to a bona fide dispute. J.P. Morgan may deduct amounts invoiced from the accounts held by J.P. Morgan for the benefit of the Customer except to the extent that the Customer has objected to the invoice within thirty (30) days of the date of receipt of invoice (or such other period as the parties may agree in writing). Without prejudice to J.P. Morgan’s other rights, J.P. Morgan reserves the right to charge interest on overdue amounts from the due date until actual payment at a rate as J.P. Morgan customarily charges for similar overdue amounts.
     
  (d) J.P. Morgan shall be reasonably compensated, at the customary hourly rates, for remediation efforts conducted by J.P. Morgan at the Customer’s request to review and re-execute certain Instructions.

 

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5. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

 

  5.1. Representations of the Customer and J.P. Morgan.

 

  (a) The Customer represents and warrants that (i) assuming execution and delivery of this Agreement by J.P. Morgan, this Agreement is the Customer’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against the Customer in accordance with its terms, (ii) it has full power and authority to enter into and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of this Agreement, (iii) there is no material administrative, civil or criminal proceeding pending or, to the knowledge of the Customer, threatened against the Customer, and (iv) it has not relied on any oral or written representation made by J.P. Morgan or any person on its behalf, and acknowledges that this Agreement sets out to the fullest extent the duties of J.P. Morgan.
     
  (b) J.P. Morgan represents and warrants that (i) assuming execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Customer, this Agreement is J.P. Morgan’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against J.P. Morgan in accordance with its terms;(ii) it has full power and authority to enter into, and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution of, this Agreement; (iii) any and all information J.P. Morgan provided to Customer or its representatives in connection with the Customer’s evaluation of J.P. Morgan’s experience and capabilities to provide the Services was at the time it was provided true, correct and complete in all material respects; and (iv) it has established and maintains and enforces written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent material and intentional violations of Applicable Law relating to J.P. Morgan’s duties as a service provider hereunder (including federal securities laws prohibiting unlawful use and disclosure of material, non-public information regarding an issuer (such as Customer) or a security (such as Customer’s shares) by J. P. Morgan as a service provider hereunder.

 

  5.2. The Customer to Provide Certain Information to J.P. Morgan.
     
    The Customer will promptly provide to J.P. Morgan such information about itself and its financial status as J.P. Morgan may reasonably request, including the Customer’s organizational documents and its current audited and unaudited financial statements, its Registration Statement and any contracts, regulatory documents or opinions from a lawyer or accountant that relate to the Services described in this Agreement.
     
  5.3. Information Used to Provide the Service.
     
    The Customer agrees with J.P. Morgan that any information the Customer or the Investment Adviser provides to J.P. Morgan pursuant to this Agreement shall be complete and accurate to enable J.P. Morgan to perform its responsibilities pursuant to this Agreement.
     
  5.4. Know Your Customer Rules.

 

  (a) J.P. Morgan, by Applicable Law, is required to implement reasonable procedures to verify the identity of a person seeking to commence a commercial relationship with J.P. Morgan. The Customer acknowledges that J.P. Morgan’s identity verification procedures require it to request certain information from the Customer or third parties regarding the Customer. The Customer agrees to provide J.P. Morgan with, and consents to J.P. Morgan obtaining from third parties, any such information as a condition of using any service provided by J.P. Morgan hereunder. To the extent that the Customer fails to provide or to consent to the provision of any such information, such failure shall be grounds for J.P. Morgan to not open any account or provide any Services and/or to close any account or discontinue providing the Services.

 

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6. WHERE J.P. MORGAN IS LIABLE TO THE CUSTOMER OR THE FUNDS

 

  6.1. Standard of Care; Liability.

 

  (a) J.P. Morgan will use reasonable care in performing its obligations under this Agreement. J.P. Morgan will not be responsible for any loss or damage suffered by the Customer or the Funds with respect to any matter as to which J.P. Morgan has satisfied its obligation of reasonable care unless the same results from an act of negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of J.P. Morgan.
     
  (b) J.P. Morgan will be liable for the Customer’s and/or any Fund’s direct damages to the extent they result from J.P. Morgan’s fraud, negligence, or willful misconduct in performing its duties as set out in this Agreement. Nevertheless, under no circumstances will J.P. Morgan be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages (including, without limitation, lost profits or business) of any form incurred by any person or entity, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the type of action in which such a claim may be brought, resulting from J.P. Morgan’s performance under this Agreement, or J.P. Morgan’s role as a service provider to the Customer.
     
  (c) The Customer will indemnify the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees against, and hold them harmless from, any Liabilities that may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any of the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees in connection with or arising out of J.P. Morgan’s performance under this Agreement, provided the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees have not acted with negligence or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct in connection with the Liabilities in question.
     
  (d) No Shareholder of the Customer (or any Fund thereof), or any Board trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Customer (or any Fund thereof), shall be subject to claims against or obligations of the Customer (or any Fund thereof) to any extent whatsoever. J.P. Morgan agrees that the obligations assumed by the Customer (or any Fund thereof) under this Agreement shall be limited in all cases to the Customer (and specifically to the relevant Fund and its assets), and J.P. Morgan shall not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the Shareholders or any Shareholder of the Customer (or the relevant Fund) or from any other Fund of the Customer, or from any Board trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Customer (or any Fund thereof).

 

  6.2. Force Majeure.
     
    J.P. Morgan will maintain and update from time to time business continuation and disaster recovery procedures with respect to its global business that it determines from time to time meet reasonable commercial standards. J.P. Morgan will have no liability, however, for any damage, loss, expense or liability of any nature that the Customer or any of the Funds may suffer or incur, caused by an act of God, fire, flood, civil or labor disturbance, war, terrorism, act of any governmental authority or other act or threat of any governmental authority (de jure or de facto), legal constraint, fraud or forgery (other than on the part of J.P. Morgan or its employees), malfunction of equipment or software (except where such malfunction is primarily and directly attributable to J.P. Morgan’s negligence in maintaining the equipment or software), failure of or the effect of rules or operations of any external funds transfer system, inability to obtain or interruption of external communications facilities, or any cause beyond the reasonable control of J.P. Morgan.
     
  6.3. J.P. Morgan May Consult with Counsel.
     
    J.P. Morgan will be entitled to rely on, and may act upon the advice of professional advisors in relation to matters of Applicable Law or market practice (which may be the professional advisors of the Customer or the Funds), and shall not be liable to the Customer under this Agreement for any action taken or omitted pursuant to such advice provided that J.P. Morgan has selected and retained such professional advisers using reasonable care and acts reasonably in reliance on the advice.

 

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  6.4. Limitations of J.P. Morgan’s Liability.

 

  (a) J.P. Morgan may rely on information provided to it by or on behalf of the Funds, or which was prepared or maintained by the Customer or any third party on behalf of the Funds, in the course of discharging its duties under this Agreement. J.P. Morgan shall not be liable to any person for any Liabilities suffered by any person as a result of J.P. Morgan: (i) having relied upon the authority, accuracy, truth or completeness of information including, without limitation, information supplied to J.P. Morgan by the Customer or by the Investment Adviser or any third party (other than an Affiliate or subcontractor of J.P. Morgan involved in the provision of the Services), including but not limited to, information in relation to trades in respect of the Funds or expenses of the Funds; (ii) having relied upon the authority, accuracy, truth and completeness of information furnished to J.P. Morgan by any pricing services, data services, or provider of other market information or information concerning securities held by the Funds.
     
  (b) J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any error in data that is transitioned to J.P. Morgan at the time it begins to provide the Services with respect to the Funds provided that J.P. Morgan:

 

  (i) shall use reasonable efforts to mitigate any Losses arising as a result of any such error of which it is aware; and
     
  (ii) shall notify the Customer as soon as practicable after becoming aware of the error.

 

  J.P. Morgan and the Customer shall mutually agree on any remediation efforts to correct any such error in data and any compensation to remediate any such error.

 

  (c) J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any Liabilities resulting from a failure by any person to provide J.P. Morgan with any information or notice that is reasonably necessary for the provision of the Services save for Liabilities which result directly from an act of negligence, fraud or willful misconduct on the part of the J.P. Morgan Indemnitees. J.P. Morgan shall use reasonable efforts to find alternative sources of information in the event of any such failure. In the event of any such failure that may affect the performance of the Services, J.P. Morgan shall promptly notify the Customer.
     
  (d) J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any Liabilities whatsoever incurred or suffered by any party hereto, whether on their own account or for the account of the Funds, as a result of the failure of the Customer or its agents, officers or employees to comply with the laws or regulations of any jurisdiction in which Shares are offered.
     
  (e) J.P. Morgan’s responsibilities with respect to the correction of an error in calculating the net asset value of any Fund shall be subject to the NAV correction policy and procedures attached to this Agreement as APPENDIX A Net Asset Value Error Correction Policy and Procedures to Schedule 1 of this Agreement.
     
  (f) The Customer agrees that the accounting reports provided by J.P. Morgan, as well as any share class or other similar reports, are to enable the Customer to fulfill its statutory reporting and investor subscription/redemption obligations, and are not for investment, treasury or hedging purposes. Accordingly, notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement, the Customer agrees that J.P. Morgan shall have no liability whatsoever for any Liabilities incurred by the Customer as result of use of the accounting reports for investment, treasury or hedging purposes, including, but not limited to, for the purpose of currency overlay transactions.

 

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7. TERM AND TERMINATION

 

  7.1. Term and Termination
     
    The initial term of this Agreement shall be for a period of five (5) years following the date on which J.P. Morgan commenced providing services under the Agreement (the “Initial Term”). Following the Initial Term, the Customer may terminate this Agreement by giving not less than ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan may terminate this Agreement on one hundred and eighty (180) days’ prior written notice to the Customer. The Customer may terminate this Agreement at any time during the Initial Term by giving not less than ninety (90) days’ prior written notice to J.P. Morgan upon payment of a termination fee. During the first and second years of the Initial Term, the termination fee will be an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $1.5 million and (ii) six (6) times the average monthly fees paid during the six (6) month period prior to the Customer’s notice of termination, or since the date on which J.P. Morgan commenced providing services under this Agreement if such period is less than six (6) months. During the third year of the Initial Term, the termination fee will be an amount equal to the lesser of (i) $1 million and (ii) four (4) times the average monthly fees paid during the four (4) month period prior to the Customer’s notice of termination. During the fourth and fifth year of the Initial Term, the termination fee will be zero.
     
  7.2. Other Grounds for Termination.

 

  (a) In the event of the termination of the custody agreement between J.P. Morgan and the Customer, J.P. Morgan may terminate this Agreement in whole or in part and cease to provide the Services simultaneously with the transition of the assets of the Customer to a successor custodian, provided that if the Agreement is terminated during the initial term, the termination fee described in Section 7.1 shall apply.
     
  (b) Notwithstanding Section 7.2(a), either party may terminate this Agreement immediately upon written notice to the other party following the occurrence of any of the following:

 

  (i) the other party being declared bankrupt, entering into a composition with creditors, obtaining a suspension of payment, being put under court controlled management or being the subject of a similar measure;
     
  (ii) the relevant federal or state authority withdrawing its authorization of either party; or
     
  (iii) the other party committing any material breach of this Agreement and failing to remedy such breach (if capable of remedy) within 90 days of being given written notice of the material breach, unless the parties agree to extend the period to remedy the breach.

 

  7.3. Consequences of Termination.
     
    Termination of this Agreement under the provisions of this Article 7 will be without prejudice to the performance of any party’s obligations under this Agreement with respect to all outstanding transactions at the date of termination.
     
  7.4. Transition following Termination.
     
    As soon as reasonably practicable following its resignation or termination of appointment becoming effective and subject to payment of any amount owing to J.P. Morgan under this Agreement, J.P. Morgan agrees to transfer such records and related supporting documentation as are held by it under this Agreement, to any replacement provider of the Services or to such other person as the Customer may direct. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.2, J.P. Morgan shall provide the Services until a replacement administrator is in place, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Article 4). J.P. Morgan will also provide reasonable assistance to its successor, for such transfer, subject to the payment of such reasonable expenses and charges as J.P. Morgan customarily charges

 

Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016

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    for such assistance. The Customer undertakes to use its best efforts to appoint a new administrative service provider as soon as possible.

 

8. MISCELLANEOUS

 

  8.1. Notices.
     
    Notices pursuant to Article 7 of this Agreement shall be sent or served by registered mail, nationally recognized delivery services, such as Federal Express (FedEx) or United Parcel Service (UPS), etc., courier services or hand delivery to the address of the respective parties as set out on the first page of this Agreement, unless notice of a new address is given to the other party in writing. Notice will not be deemed to be given unless it has been received.
     
  8.2. Successors and Assigns.
     
    This Agreement will be binding on each of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. The parties agree that neither party can assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed; except J.P. Morgan may assign this Agreement without Customer’s consent to (a) any Affiliate of J.P. Morgan or (b) in connection with a merger, reorganization, stock sale or sale of all or substantially all of J.P. Morgan’s fund servicing business.
     
  8.3. Entire Agreement.
     
    This Agreement, including any Schedules, Exhibits, Appendices and Annexes, sets out the entire Agreement between the parties in connection with the subject matter hereof, and this Agreement supersedes any other agreement, statement, or representation relating to the Services under this Agreement, whether oral or written. Amendments must be in writing and signed by both parties.
     
  8.4. Insurance.
     
    The Customer acknowledges that J.P. Morgan will not be required to maintain any insurance coverage specifically for the benefit of the Customer or the Funds. J.P. Morgan will, however, provide summary information of its own general insurance coverage to the Customer upon written request.
     
  8.5. Governing Law and Jurisdiction.
     
    This Agreement will be construed, regulated and administered under the laws of the United States or State of New York, as applicable, without regard to New York’s principles regarding conflict of laws, except that the foregoing shall not reduce any statutory right to choose New York law or forum. The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York will have the sole and exclusive jurisdiction over any lawsuit or other judicial proceeding relating to or arising from this Agreement. If that court lacks federal subject matter jurisdiction, the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County will have sole and exclusive jurisdiction. Either of these courts will have the proper venue for any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding, and the parties waive any objection to venue or their convenience as a forum. The parties agree to submit to the jurisdiction of any of the courts specified and to accept service of process to vest personal jurisdiction over them in any of these courts. The parties further hereby knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally waive, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any right to a trial by jury with respect to any such lawsuit or judicial proceeding arising or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. To the extent that in any jurisdiction the Customer or J.P. Morgan may now or hereafter be entitled to claim, for itself or its assets, immunity from suit, execution, attachment (before or after judgment) or other legal process, the Customer or J.P. Morgan (as applicable) shall not claim, and it hereby irrevocably waives, such immunity.

 

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  8.6. Severability; Waiver; and Survival.

 

  (a) If one or more provisions of this Agreement are held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect on the basis of any particular circumstances or in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provision or provisions under other circumstances or in other jurisdictions and of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired.
     
  (b) Except as otherwise provided herein, no failure or delay on the part of either party in exercising any power or right under this Agreement operates as a waiver, nor does any single or partial exercise of any power or right preclude any other or further exercise, or the exercise of any other power or right. No waiver by a party of any provision of this Agreement, or waiver of any breach or default, is effective unless it is in writing and signed by the party against whom the waiver is to be enforced.
     
  (c) The parties’ rights, protections, and remedies under this Agreement shall survive its termination.

 

  8.7. Confidentiality.

 

  (a) Subject to Section 8.7(b), J.P. Morgan will hold all Confidential Information in confidence with the same level of care as if such Confidential Information was its own and will not disclose any Confidential Information except as may be required by Applicable Law, a regulator with jurisdiction over J.P. Morgan’s business, or with the consent of the Customer provided that prior to disclosing any such Confidential Information pursuant to Applicable Law or as required by any such regulator in connection with a request for information specific to Customer, J.P. Morgan shall provide Customer with written notice within a reasonable time prior to disclosing Confidential Information to the extent practicable and legally permissible in order to permit Customer to seek a protective order prohibiting the disclosure of such Confidential Information.
     
  (b) The Customer authorizes J.P. Morgan to disclose Confidential Information to:

 

  (i) any subcontractor, agent, service provider, vendor or any other person that J.P. Morgan believes is reasonably required in connection with J.P. Morgan’s provision of relevant services under this Agreement;
     
  (ii) its professional advisors, auditors or public accountants;
     
  (iii) its branches and J.P. Morgan Affiliates; and
     
  (iv) any revenue authority or any governmental entity in relation to the processing of any tax claim.

 

    Except where J.P. Morgan is instructed to provide Confidential Information to a party designated by the Funds, J.P. Morgan agrees that any person to whom it discloses any Confidential Information pursuant to clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) above has agreed to keep such Confidential Information confidential or has an internal policy to keep confidential client information confidential to the same extent as required of J.P. Morgan pursuant to this Agreement and J.P. Morgan shall be responsible and liable for any breach of confidentiality by any such person, except in the case of disclosure required by Applicable Law.
     
  (c) Except as (i) otherwise required by Applicable Law, (ii) required for disclosure in the Customer’s Registration Statement, or (iii) needed to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the parties shall hold the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any commercial terms, in confidence.

 

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  8.8. Use of J.P. Morgan’s Name.
     
    The Customer agrees not to use (or permit the use of) J.P. Morgan’s name in any document, publication or publicity material relating to the Customer or the Funds, including but not limited to notices, sales literature, stationery, advertisements, etc., without the prior consent of J.P. Morgan (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), provided that no prior consent is needed if the document in which J.P. Morgan’s name is used merely states that J.P. Morgan is acting as administrator to the Funds.
     
  8.9. Delegation.
     
    J.P. Morgan may delegate to a reputable agent any of its functions herein. However, J.P. Morgan will remain responsible to the Funds for any such delegation. To the extent reasonably practicable, J.P. Morgan will consult with the Customer before it implements the delegation of a material portion of the Services.
     
  8.10. Counterparts.
     
    This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts each of which will be deemed to be an original and together will constitute one and the same agreement.
     
  8.11. No Third Party Beneficiaries.
     
    A person who is not a party to this Agreement shall have no right to enforce any term of this Agreement.
     
  8.12. Cyber-security.
     
    J.P. Morgan will implement and maintain an information security program to safeguard customer information, and will provide Customer with a written summary of such program upon request.
     
  8.13. Obligations of Each Customer Several; Funds as Customers.

 

  (a) Although each Customer and J.P. Morgan are entering into this agreement for convenience, each Customer and J.P. Morgan intend that this Agreement constitute a separate agreement between each Customer and J.P. Morgan such that each reference to Customer shall be read solely as a reference to a single entity.
     
  (b) J.P. Morgan acknowledges and agrees that the obligations assumed by the Customer hereunder shall be limited in all cases to the assets of the Customer and that J.P. Morgan may not seek satisfaction of any such obligation from the officers, agents, employees, trustees, directors or shareholders of the Customer or of any other Customer hereto, and to the extent such trustees or officers are regarded as entering into this Agreement, they do so only as trustees or officers and not individually and that the obligations of this Agreement are not binding upon any such trustee, officer, employee or shareholder individually, but are binding only upon the assets and property of such Customer. J.P. Morgan hereby agrees that such trustees, officers, employees or shareholders shall not be personally liable under this Agreement and that J.P. Morgan shall look solely to the property of the Customer for the performance of the Agreement or payment of any claim under the Agreement.

 

  8.14 Additional Customers.

 

  (a) Any additional entity (each an “Additional Customer”) may be added to this Agreement as a Customer upon execution of this Agreement by J.P. Morgan and such Additional Customer. Any such joinder shall not require the prior written approval of, or the execution of any amendment to this Agreement by, any other Customer.
     
  (b) Following the execution of this Agreement by J.P. Morgan an Additional Customer (i) each Additional Customer shall automatically be and become a party to this Agreement as a “Customer” hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named herein as a Customer; (ii) without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Additional Customer hereby shall expressly assume all obligations and liability of a Customer under this Agreement; and (iii) Exhibit A to this Agreement shall be automatically amended and restated to include each Additional Customer.

 

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AS WITNESS the hand of the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto:

 

FIRST EAGLE FUNDS, on behalf of the separate portfolios listed on Exhibit A
   
By:
Name:   David O’Connor
Title: General Counsel
   
FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL CAYMAN FUND, LTD.
   
By:
Name: Joseph Malone
Title: SVP
   
FIRST EAGLE US VALUE CAYMAN FUND, LTD.
   
By:
Name: Joseph Malone
Title: SVP
   
FIRST EAGLE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND
   
By:
Name: David O’Connor
Title: General Counsel
FIRST EAGLE VARIABLE FUNDS, on behalf of the separate portfolios listed on Exhibit A
     
By:
 
 
Name:   Joseph Malone
Title: CFO First Eagle Funds
     
FIRST EAGLE OVERSEAS CAYMAN FUND, LTD.
   
By:
 
 
Name: Joseph Malone
Title: SVP
   
FIRST EAGLE GOLD CAYMAN FUND, LTD.
   
By:
 
 
Name: Joseph Malone
Title: SVP
   
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
   
By:
 
 
Name: Kevin Powers
Title: Executive Director


 

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Page 14
 

AS WITTNESS the hand of the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto:

 

FIRST EAGLE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND SPV, LLC

 

By:
 
 
Name:  Joseph Malone
Title: SVP
Date: 2/5/21
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
 
By:
 
 
Name:   Gregory Cook
Title: Executive Director
Date: February 8, 2021


 

Fund Services Agreement – U.S. Mutual Funds – June 2016
Page 14
 

AS WITNESS the hand of the duly authorized officers of the parties hereto

 

FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL REAL ASSET FUND   FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL REAL ASSETS CAYMAN FUND, LTD.
         
By:
 
 
  By:
 
 
Name:  Joseph Malone   Name:  Joseph Malone
Title: CFO First Eagle Funds   Title: CFO First Eagle Funds
Date: 10/1/21   Date: 10/1/21
         
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
         
By:
 
 
     
Name: Gregory Cook      
Title: Executive Director      
Date: October 1, 2021      

 

with respect to the addition of the above Additional Customer
pursuant to Section 8.14(a) hereof.

 

EXHIBIT A

LIST OF ENTITIES

(as of October 1. 2021)

 

First Eagle Funds

 

First Eagle Global Fund

 

First Eagle Overseas Fund

 

First Eagle U.S. Value Fund

 

First Eagle Gold Fund

 

First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund

 

First Eagle High Yield Fund

 

First Eagle Fund of America

 

First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund

 

First Eagle Global Real Asset Fund

 

First Eagle Variable Funds

 

First Eagle Overseas Variable Fund

 

First Eagle Global Cayman Fund, Ltd.

 

First Eagle Overseas Cayman Fund, Ltd.

 

First Eagle US Value Cayman Fund, Ltd.

 

First Eagle Gold Cayman Fund Ltd.

 

First Eagle Credit Opportunities Fund

 

First Eagle Global Real Assets Cayman Fund, Ltd.

 

Schedule 1 Accounting and NAV Calculation Services

 

n NAV calculation/fund valuation:
  Calculation of NAV based on a single valuation per day
  Standard transactional and NAV materiality thresholds
  Share class accounting with market standard allocation methodology
  Support both GAAP and tax-based records
  Utilizing standard NAV delivery timeframes
n Asset pricing and reporting
  Standard automated vendor inputs, including international fair valuation
  Standard valuation oversight reporting (e.g., fair value reports, broker prices, etc.)
n Capital stock processing and reconciliation
  Automated data files from transfer agent using market standard formats
  Automated NAV transmissions to transfer agent using market standard formats
n Cash availability reporting for money market funds
n Portfolio trades processing
  Market standard automated trade files
n Corporate actions processing
n Portfolio income recognition
n Automated expense processing
n Cash Reconciliations
n Asset reconciliations
n NAV dissemination
  -Standard JP Morgan automated tools and reporting
n Audit reporting and coordination
  External audit, SSAE16, and client due diligence coordination
n Standard accounting data extracts
n ASC 820 and 815 support
n Standard client reporting
  Standard end-of-day accounting information
  Standard risk oversight reporting (e.g.. aged receivables, stale prices, etc.) using Views Portfolio Reporting (VPR)

 

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APPENDIX A Net Asset Value Error Correction Policy and Procedures

 

1. As used in this Agreement and the Schedules and Appendices to this Agreement, the following terms have the meaning hereinafter stated:

 

  “NAV Error” is defined as one or more errors in the computation of net asset value which, when considered cumulatively, result in a difference between the originally computed NAV and the corrected NAV of at least $0.010 per share. This computation is based upon the actual difference and is not based upon the rounding of the NAV to the nearest cent per share.
   
  “Per Share NAV Error” is the difference between the originally computed per share NAV, and the amount that would have been computed had the errors not occurred.
   
  “NAV Error Period” comprises those days during which a NAV Error existed.
   
  “Fund Loss” refers to a situation where a Fund has either paid excessive redemption proceeds as a result of an overstatement of the NAV or received insufficient subscription proceeds as a result of an understatement of the NAV. When such a Fund Loss occurs, the individual Shareholders effecting transactions received a corresponding benefit (a “Shareholder Benefit”).
   
  “Fund Benefit” means a situation where a Fund has either paid insufficient redemption proceeds as a result of an understatement of NAV or received excessive subscription proceeds as a result of an overstatement of NAV. When such a Fund Benefit occurs, the individual Shareholders effecting transactions suffer a corresponding loss (a “Shareholder Loss”).
   
  The term “responsible person” means a person who, by virtue of negligence, fraud, or willful misconduct, caused or contributed to an NAV Error.

 

2. The following Procedures will be utilized by J.P. Morgan with respect to NAV Error corrections:

 

(a) If the error in the computation of the net asset value is less than $0.010 per share, no action shall be taken. At the request of Customer, J.P. Morgan will prepare and deliver a written memo to the Customer explaining the cause of error and any remediation.
   
(b) If a Per Share NAV Error is less than one half of one percent of the originally computed Per Share NAV, J.P. Morgan, on behalf of the Funds, will determine whether total Fund Losses exceeded total Fund Benefits for the NAV Error Period. If the Fund incurred a net loss, the Customer will be responsible for obtaining reimbursement for such loss from the responsible person or persons. If the Fund had a net benefit, no action need be taken; however, such net benefit should not be carried forward to any analyses performed in the future for other NAV Errors that may arise.
   
(c) If the Per Share NAV Error equals or exceeds one half of one percent of the originally computed per share NAV, 1) account adjustments should be made to compensate Shareholders for Shareholder Losses, and 2) the Customer will be responsible for obtaining reimbursement for such loss from the responsible person or persons for Fund Losses.

 

  (i) With respect to individual Shareholder Losses, the Customer will be responsible for causing the Fund (or responsible party) to pay to individual Shareholders any additional redemption proceeds owed and either refund excess subscription monies paid or credit the Shareholder account as of the date of the NAV Error, for additional shares. Nevertheless, no correction of a given individual Shareholder account shall be made unless the applicable Shareholder Loss for such Shareholder equals or exceeds a de minimis amount of $20.
     
  (ii) With respect to Fund Losses, the Customer will be responsible for causing either the responsible person or persons or the individual Shareholders to reimburse the Fund for the

 

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    amount of the Fund’s Losses. (Note that there is no netting of Fund Losses (as described in (c)(i)above) where the error equals or exceeds ½ of 1% of NAV, to the extent benefits were paid out by the Fund to Shareholders as account adjustments).

 

(d) In the case of an error that fluctuates above and below one half of one percent, individual Shareholder adjustments should be effected for those days where the NAV Error was equal to or exceeded one half of one percent. With respect to the remaining days, the Fund level process described above in Section 2(b) may be applied.
   
(e) If there is a subsequent discovery of an error which affects a NAV Error Period that had previously been corrected in the manner described above, the subsequently discovered NAV Error should be analyzed in isolation without taking into consideration the previously corrected NAV Errors.
   
(f) In cases where a NAV Error has occurred, the Customer, upon J.P. Morgan’s request, will instruct the Transfer Agent to reprocess transactions and to adjust each Shareholder’s Shares upwards or downwards accordingly, at the expense of the responsible person or persons. If the Transfer Agent does not agree to reprocess transactions resulting from a NAV Error for which J.P. Morgan is a responsible person, J.P. Morgan’s liability will be limited to the amount it would have been liable for had the reprocessing occurred.
   
(g) In cases where J.P. Morgan is not the responsible person with regard to an NAV Error, J.P. Morgan shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for the work it performs with respect to the remediation of the NAV Error.
   
(h) In cases where J.P. Morgan is a responsible person with regard to an NAV Error, but not the sole responsible person, the Fund, to the extent customary under industry practice, shall seek recovery from each such responsible person, for its proportional share of the applicable Fund Loss or Shareholder Loss.
   
(i) Subject to the other provisions of this Appendix and to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, in connection with any NAV Error caused by J.P. Morgan’s fraud, negligence, or willful misconduct, for which J.P. Morgan is not otherwise excused under this Agreement, J.P. Morgan shall pay to the Customer (i) the applicable Fund Loss or Shareholder Loss resulting from such NAV Error, and (ii) any other Liabilities incurred by the Customer as a result of, or in connection with, such NAV Error, including any such Liabilities incurred in complying with the requirements of this Appendix.

 

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Schedule 2 Fund Administration Services

 

Fund Expense Administration

 

n Prepare fund expense budgets (monthly and annually)
  Annual budgets
  Quarterly and monthly adjustments as required
  True-ups and other expense adjustments as required
n Expense cap and basis point analysis (monthly and annually)
  By class and by contractual fee (12b-1, advisory, administration, etc.) type (twice a month)
n Fund invoice payments
  Validate, approve and process fund invoices upon receipt
  Asset-based fee payments (management fees, distribution fees, etc.)
n Periodic multi-class dividend distributions (monthly, quarterly, annually)
  Calculation, verification, and communication of income, capital gains, excise, special distributions and income projections
n Performance (NAV total return) reporting
  Before tax calculations
  Core performance reporting utilizing Unity Performance with Core frequency
n Standard survey preparation and dissemination
n Preparation and dissemination of vendor/trustee 1099-Misc Forms (annually)
n Preparation and dissemination of ICI primary and secondary reporting (annually)
  Including treasury income and asset tests
n Preparation and filing of Form 24F-2 (annually)
n Calculation of portfolio turnover and cost rollforward (semi-annually and annually)
n Financial Statement and prospectus/statement of additional income (SAI) support (annually)
  Calculate and provide specific financial and compliance data to support financial statement process
n Quarterly Board materials
  Standard Financial Administration-related board materials utilizing Investor Services-resident data
  Standard report package includes:
  a. Broker Commission
  b. Top 10 Holdings
  c. Top 10 Industries
  d. 144A Illiquid Reporting

 

Compliance Services

 

n 1940 Act compliance monitoring
  Portfolio diversification 5b-1
  Industry concentration 8b-1 using standard industry schema
  Borrowing provision 18f-1 (300% leverage)
  Illiquid securities 22e
  Securities Related Businesses 12d3
  Investment Companies 12d-1
n Voting shares 12d2
  Investment Company Names test 35d1
  Perform research into daily results
n Communication of compliance monitoring results
  Communication of warnings and violations as applicable
n Breach review – investigation and research of potential warnings and violations

 

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n Prospectus / Statement of Additional Information (SAI) Monitoring
  Communication of compliance monitoring results
  Communication of warnings and violations as applicable
  Breach review – investigation and research of potential warnings and violations
n Update Prospectus / SAI rules as required (per client instruction)
n IRS Subchapter M Diversification testing
  Diversification testing under Section 851(b)(3) for Mutual Funds
  Diversification testing under Section 817(h) for Variable Annuities
  50% Tax Exempt Test under Section 852(b)(5) for tax-exempt (Municipal) Funds
  90% Gross Income testing under Section 851(b)(2)
n Communication of warnings and violations where required and cure analysis
n Core Compliance-related board materials utilizing IS-resident data
n Look-through for fund of funds custodied at JP Morgan
n 10666 (Section 18) asset coverage testing

 

Delivery of Standard Reporting Package

 

Financial Reporting Services

 

n Preparation and review of semi- and annual- financial statements with 60 day turnaround time
  Creation, distribution, and review of up to3 production drafts
n Preparation, review, and coordination with printer of Form N-CSR
  Prepare and review line item 1 of Form N-CSR and assist in the coordination and filing
n Preparation, review, and coordination of filing of Form N-Q
  Creation, distribution, and review of up to 2-3 production drafts
n Preparation, review, and filing of Form N-SAR
n Provide audit coordination support

 

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Schedule 3 OTC Derivative Administration Solutions

 

OTC Derivatives Accounting

 

Base Position Management

n Calculation of cash flow events for supported instruments or receipt of cash events for non-supported instruments
n Processing of OTC valuation and cash data into the J.P. Morgan accounting system
n Reconciliation of J.P. Morgan accounting system OTC positions to the client or client’s fund manager
n Reconciliation of the J.P. Morgan accounting system OTC positions, fees and coupons to the Clearing Broker
n Cash break management in relation to the accounting ledger
n Sourcing Valuation on a directed frequency from the Investment Manager

 

OTC Derivative Trade and Instruction Capture

 

Trade and Instruction Capture Management

n Trade capture via FpML and / or J.P. Morgan pre-formatted .CSV template – full trade data to be supplied

 

Valuation - Provision of a Third Party Provided Valuation

 

Lifecycle and Position Management

n Sourcing of OTC derivative valuation from a relevant third party pricing provider –single source
n Entry of Clearing House sourced OTC derivative valuation into the J.P. Morgan accounting system
n Standard Client Reporting
n Dual sourcing – available, subject to an additional fee

 

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Page 21

 

Annex A Electronic Access

 

1. J.P. Morgan may permit the Customer and its Authorized Persons to access certain electronic systems and applications (collectively, the “Products”) and to access or receive electronically Data (as defined below) in connection with the Agreement. J.P. Morgan may, from time to time, introduce new features to the Products or otherwise modify or delete existing features of the Products in its sole discretion. J.P. Morgan shall endeavor to give the Customer reasonable notice of its termination or suspension of access to the Products, but may do so immediately if J.P. Morgan determines, in its sole discretion, that providing access to the Products would violate Applicable Law or that the security or integrity of the Products is at risk. Access to the Products shall be subject to the Security Procedures.
   
2. In consideration of the fees paid by the Customer to J.P. Morgan and subject to any applicable software license addendum in relation to J.P. Morgan-owned or sublicensed software provided for a particular application and Applicable Law, J.P. Morgan grants to the Customer a non-exclusive, non-transferable, limited and revocable license to use the Products and the information and data made available through the Products or transferred electronically (the “Data”) for the Customer’s internal business use only. The Customer may download the Data and print out hard copies for its reference, provided that it does not remove any copyright or other notices contained therein. The license granted herein will permit use by the Customer’s Authorized Person, provided that such use shall be in compliance with the Agreement, including this Annex. The Customer acknowledges that elements of the Data, including prices, corporate action information, and reference data, may have been licensed by J.P. Morgan from third parties and that any use of such Data beyond that authorized by the foregoing license, may require the permission of one or more third parties in addition to J.P. Morgan.
   
3. The Customer acknowledges that there are security, corruption, transaction error and access availability risks associated with using open networks such as the internet, and the Customer hereby expressly assumes such risks. The Customer is solely responsible for obtaining, maintaining and operating all software (including antivirus software, anti-spyware software, and other internet security software) and personnel necessary for the Customer to access and use the Products. All such software must be interoperable with J.P. Morgan’s software. Each of the Customer and J.P. Morgan shall be responsible for the proper functioning, maintenance and security of its own systems, services, software and other equipment.
   
4. In cases where J.P. Morgan’s web site is unexpectedly down or otherwise unavailable, J.P. Morgan shall, absent a force majeure event, provide other appropriate means for the Customer or its Authorized Persons to instruct J.P. Morgan or obtain reports from J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan shall not be liable for any Liabilities arising out of the Customer’s use of, access to or inability to use the Products via J.P. Morgan’s web site in the absence of J.P. Morgan’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.
   
5. Use of the Products may be monitored, tracked, and recorded. In using the Products, the Customer hereby expressly consents to such monitoring, tracking, and recording. Individuals and organizations should have no expectation of privacy unless local law, regulation, or contract provides otherwise. J.P. Morgan shall own all right, title and interest in the data reflecting the Customer usage of the Products or J.P. Morgan’s web site (including, but not limited to, general usage data and aggregated transaction data). J.P. Morgan may use and sublicense data obtained by it regarding the Customer’s use of the Products or J.P. Morgan’s web site, as long as J.P. Morgan does not disclose to others that the Customer was the source of such data or the details of individual transactions effected using the Products or web site.
   
6. The Customer shall not knowingly use the Products to transmit (i) any virus, worm, or destructive element or any programs or data that may be reasonably expected to interfere with or disrupt the Products or servers connected to the Products; (ii) material that violates the rights of another, including but not limited to the intellectual property rights of another; and (iii) “junk mail”, “spam”, “chain letters” or unsolicited mass distribution of e-mail.

 

Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016

Page 22

 
7. The Customer shall promptly and accurately designate in writing to J.P. Morgan the geographic location of its users upon written request. The Customer further represents and warrants to J.P. Morgan that the Customer shall not access the service from any jurisdiction which J.P. Morgan informs the Customer or where the Customer has actual knowledge that the service is not authorized for use due to local regulations or laws, including applicable software export rules and regulations. Prior to submitting any document which designates the persons authorized to act on the Customer’s behalf, the Customer shall obtain from each individual referred to in such document all necessary consents to enable J.P. Morgan to process the data set out therein for the purposes of providing the Products
   
8. The Customer will be subject to and shall comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations concerning restricting collection, use, disclosure, processing and free movement of the Data (collectively, the “Privacy Regulations”). The Privacy Regulations may include, as applicable, the Federal “Privacy of Consumer Financial Information” Regulation (12 CFR Part 30), as amended from time to time, issued pursuant to Section 504 of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999 (15 U.S.C. §6801, et seq.), the Health and Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. §1320d), The Data Protection Act 1998 and Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to processing of personal data and the free movement of such data.
   
9. The Customer shall be responsible for the compliance of its Authorized Persons with the terms of the Agreement, including this Annex

 

Fund Services Agreement - US Mutual Funds - June 2016

Page 23

 

Exhibit 99.(h)(11)

 

September 9, 2021

 

First Eagle Funds
1345 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10105

 

Re: Expense Limitation for First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund (the “Fund”)

 

Dear First Eagle Funds:

 

First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) and First Eagle Funds (the “Trust”), on behalf of the Fund, hereby confirm their agreement as follows:

 

From the effective date of the Fund’s registration statement on Form N-1A on or about November 23, 2021 until the date noted on Schedule A attached hereto (the “Limitation Period”), the Investment Adviser agrees to waive fees and/or reimburse annual operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales, and extraordinary expenses, if any) (“Operating Expenses”) of the Fund’s respective Classes noted on Schedule A (each a “Class”) so that the Operating Expenses of the Fund’s respective Classes are limited to the respective rate per annum, as noted on Schedule A, of that Class’ average daily net assets (each an “Expense Limitation”). Commitment fees relating to borrowings are treated as interest for purposes of this section. Solely for purposes of this expense limitation arrangement, the corresponding expenses of the Fund’s wholly-owned subsidiary organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”) are treated as Operating Expenses and, accordingly, direct expenses of the Fund.

 

The Fund agrees to repay the Investment Adviser out of assets attributable to its respective Class noted on Schedule A for any fees waived by the Investment Adviser under an Expense Limitation or any Operating Expenses the Investment Adviser reimburses in excess of an Expense Limitation, provided that the repayment does not cause that Class’ Operating Expenses to exceed the expense limitation in place at the time the fees were waived and/or the expenses were reimbursed, or the expense limitation in place at the time the Fund repays the Investment Adviser, whichever is lower. Any such repayment must be made within three years after the year in which the Investment Adviser incurred the expense. Such repayments may be made by both the Fund or the Subsidiary, as applicable.

 

The Investment Adviser understands that it shall look only to the assets attributable to the respective Class of the Fund for performance of this Agreement and for payment of any claim the Investment Adviser may have hereunder, and neither any other series of the Trust or Class of the Fund, nor any of the Trust’s trustees, officers, employees, agents, or shareholders, whether past, present or future, shall be personally liable therefor.

 

This Agreement is made and is to be performed principally in the State of New York, and except insofar as the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or other federal laws and regulations may be controlling, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York. Any amendment to this Agreement shall be in writing signed by the parties hereto, and requires approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of acceptance on the enclosed counterpart hereof and return the same.

 
  FIRST EAGLE FUNDS,
  on behalf of First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund
     
  By:  /s/ Mehdi Mahmud         
  Name: Mehdi Mahmud
  Title: President

 

Agreed and Acknowledged:  
     
FIRST EAGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC  
     
By:  /s/ Mehdi Mahmud           
Name: Mehdi Mahmud  
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer  
2

SCHEDULE A

 

Fund   Class   Limitation Period   Expense Limitation
Global Real Assets Fund   A   February 28, 2023   1.10%
    I   February 28, 2023   0.85%
    R6   February 28, 2023   0.85%
A-1


Exhibit 99.(j)(6)


November 30, 2021

First Eagle Funds

1345 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10105

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Re: First Eagle Funds

We have acted as special Delaware counsel for First Eagle Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), in connection with the matters set forth herein. At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Trust Agreement, except that reference herein to any document shall mean such document as in effect on the date hereof.

We have examined originals or copies of the following documents:

(a) A certified copy of the Certificate of Trust of the Trust which was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Secretary of State”) on April 22, 2004, as amended by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Trust of the Trust which was filed with the Secretary of State on February 24, 2012, as further amended and restated by the amended and restated certificate of trust of the Trust which was filed with the Secretary of State on March 5, 2014, as further amended by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Trust of the Trust which was filed with the Secretary of State on April 3, 2014, as further amended by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Trust of the Trust which was filed with the Secretary of State on January 9, 2017, as further amended by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Trust of the Trust which was filed with the Secretary of State on February 21, 2020, as further amended by the Amended and Restated

 

 

To First Eagle Funds

November 30, 2021

Page 2

 

 

Certificate of Trust of the Trust which was filed with the Secretary of State on April 14, 2021, as further amended by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Trust of the Trust which was filed with the Secretary of State on September 9, 2021 (as amended and restated, the “Certificate of Trust”);

(b) The Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated as of April 22, 2004, by the trustees named therein, as amended and restated by the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust, dated as of December 14, 2016, by the trustees named therein (the “Trust Agreement”);
(c) The Amended and Restated By-laws of the Trust (the “By-laws”), as in effect on the date hereof as approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”);
(d) Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about November 30, 2021 with respect to the issuance of shares (the “Shares”) of beneficial interest in the series of the Trust (the “Series”) designated as First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund;
(e) A certificate of the Secretary of the Trust with respect to certain matters including with respect to the Board’s approval of the issuance of the Shares, dated on or about the date hereof; and
(f) A Certificate of Good Standing for the Trust, dated November 29, 2021, obtained from the Secretary of State.

We have not reviewed any documents other than the foregoing documents for purposes of rendering our opinions as expressed herein. In particular, we have not reviewed any document (other than the foregoing documents) that is referred to in or incorporated by reference into any document reviewed by us. We have assumed that there exists no provision of any such other document that bears upon or is inconsistent with our opinions as expressed herein. We have conducted no independent factual investigation of our own but have relied solely upon the foregoing documents, the statements and information set forth therein and the additional matters recited or assumed herein, all of which we have assumed to be true, complete and accurate in all material respects.

With respect to all documents examined by us, we have assumed (i) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as authentic originals, (ii) the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies or forms, and (iii) the genuineness of all signatures.

For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed (i) that the Trust Agreement and the By-Laws constitute the entire agreement among the parties thereto with respect to the subject matter thereof, including with respect to the creation, operation and termination of the Trust, and that the

 

 

To First Eagle Funds

November 30, 2021

Page 3

 

Trust Agreement, the By-laws and the Certificate of Trust are in full force and effect and will not be amended in a manner material to the opinions expressed herein, (ii) except to the extent provided in paragraph 1 below, the due organization, due establishment or due formation, as the case may be, and valid existence in good standing of the Series of the Trust and of each party to the documents examined by us under the laws of the jurisdiction governing its organization, establishment or formation, (iii) the legal capacity of natural persons who are parties to the documents examined by us, (iv) that each of the parties to the documents examined by us has the power and authority to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, such documents, (v) the due authorization, execution and delivery by all parties thereto of all documents examined by us, (vi) the payment by each person to whom a Share has been or is to be issued by the Trust (collectively, the “Shareholders”) for such Share, in accordance with the Trust Agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, (vii) that the Shares are issued and sold to the Shareholders in accordance with the Trust Agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, and (viii) that any amendment or restatement of any document reviewed by us has been accomplished in accordance with, and was permitted by, the relevant provisions of said document prior to its amendment or restatement from time to time. We have not participated in the preparation of the Registration Statement and assume no responsibility for its contents. We note that Shareholders may be required to make certain payments provided for in Article IV Section 6 of the Trust Agreement.

This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding the securities laws of the State of Delaware), and we have not considered and express no opinion on the laws of any other jurisdiction, including federal laws and rules and regulations relating thereto. Our opinions are rendered only with respect to Delaware laws and rules, regulations and orders thereunder which are currently in effect.

Based upon the foregoing, and upon our examination of such questions of law and statutes of the State of Delaware as we have considered necessary or appropriate, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

1.                  The Trust is validly existing in good standing as a statutory trust under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, 12 Del. C. § 3801, et. seq.

2.                  The Shares of the Trust have been duly authorized and, when issued, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable beneficial interests in the Trust.

This opinion may be relied upon by you in connection with the matters set forth herein, including in connection with the delivery of your legal opinion relating to the Shares.

 

We consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statements. In giving the foregoing consent, we do not thereby admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under

 

 

To First Eagle Funds

November 30, 2021

Page 4

 

 

Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

JWP/MMK

 

 

Exhibit 99.(m)

 

FIRST EAGLE FUNDS

 

RULE 12b-1 DISTRIBUTION SERVICE

PLAN AND AGREEMENT

 

CLASS A, CLASS C, CLASS R3, CLASS R4, CLASS T and (for First Eagle Fund of America) CLASS Y SHARES

 

This Rule 12b-1 DISTRIBUTION SERVICE PLAN AND AGREEMENT, is amended and restated as of September 9, 2021 (the “Plan”) and confirms the agreement between First Eagle Funds, a Delaware statutory trust (the “Trust”), and FEF Distributors, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“FEF Distributors”) as to the matters herein.

 

Whereas, the Trust is an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

 

Whereas, the Trust currently offers shares of nine separate portfolios: First Eagle Global Fund, (“Global Fund”), First Eagle Overseas Fund, (“Overseas Fund”), First Eagle Gold Fund (“Gold Fund”), First Eagle U.S. Value Fund (“U.S. Value Fund”), First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund (“Global Income Builder Fund”), First Eagle High Income Fund (“High Income Fund”), First Eagle Fund of America (“Fund of America”), First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (“Small Cap Fund”) and First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund (“Global Real Assets Fund”) and this Rule 12b-1 Distribution Service Plan and Agreement relates to each of these portfolios;

 

Whereas, FEF Distributors acts as the principal underwriter of the Trust pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement;

 

Whereas, as permitted by Rule 12b-1 (the “Rule”) under the 1940 Act, the Trust desires to continue the Distribution Service Plan and Agreement for the shares listed above (Class A, Class C, Class R3, Class R4, Class T and, for Fund of America only, Class Y) pursuant to which each of these Funds may make certain payments to FEF Distributors for expenses incurred in connection with the distribution and service of such shares and the Trust’s Board of Trustees has determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit each such Fund and its shareholders; and

 

Whereas, the principal changes to this Distribution Service Plan and Agreement contemplated by this amendment and restatement provide for coverage of newly organized Class A shares for Global Real Assets Fund, together with certain clarifications and conforming changes throughout.

 

Accordingly, the Trust hereby continues this Plan subject to this amendment and restatement, together with the parties hereto, on the following terms and conditions:

 

1. Each of the Funds, except for Fund of America, shall pay FEF Distributors, on a monthly basis, a distribution-related fee as well as service fees, if any, on the first business day of each month based upon the average daily value of such Fund’s net assets

1

attributable to such Fund’s Class A, Class C, Class R3, Class R4 and Class T shares, respectively (as determined on each business day at the time set forth in such Fund’s currently effective prospectus for determining net asset value per share) during the preceding month and shall be calculated at an annual rate of 0.25% in the case of Class A and Class T shares, at a combined annual rate of 1.00% in the case of Class C shares, at a combined annual rate of 0.35% in the case of Class R3 shares, and at an annual rate of 0.10% in the case of Class R4 shares. Fund of America shall pay to FEF Distributors, on a monthly basis, a distribution-related fee as well as services fees, if any, at the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class Y shares of the Fund, at the combined annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares of the Fund, at the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class A and Class T shares of the Fund, at the combined annual rate of 0.35% of the average daily net assets of Class R3 shares of the Fund, and at the annual rate of 0.10% of the average daily net assets of Class R4 shares of the Fund. For purposes of calculating each such monthly fees, the value of a Fund’s net assets attributable to any such class of shares shall be computed in the manner specified in that Fund’s currently effective Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for the computation of the value of such Fund’s net assets in connection with the determination of the net asset value of shares of the Fund. For purposes of this Plan, a “business day” is any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading.

 

2. FEF Distributors shall be obligated to use all amounts received from each Fund under this Plan for (i) payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries for their assistance in the distribution of the Fund’s Class A, Class C, Class R3, Class R4, Class T shares and Class Y shares of Fund of America and (ii) otherwise promoting the sale of such shares and/or servicing the applicable shareholders, such as by paying the printing and distribution of prospectuses sent to prospective investors, the preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature, the expenses associated with media advertisements and telephone correspondence, and the expenses relating to servicing efforts, including answering questions of shareholders. For each of the Funds, no intermediary shall receive payments under the Plan which, on an annualized basis, exceed: in the case of Class A shares or Class T shares, 0.25% of net asset value of, as applicable, Fund Class A accounts or Fund Class T accounts originated or otherwise handled by such intermediary; in the case of Class C shares, in aggregate 1.00% of net asset value of Fund Class C accounts originated or otherwise handled by such intermediary; in the case of Class R3 shares, in aggregate 0.35% of net asset value of Fund Class R3 accounts originated or otherwise handled by such intermediary; in the case of Class R4 shares, in aggregate 0.10% of net asset value of Fund Class R4 accounts originated or otherwise handled by such intermediary; and in the case of Class Y shares (Fund of America only), in aggregate 0.25% of net asset value of Fund of America Class Y accounts originated or otherwise handled by such intermediary. All other agreements relating to the implementation of this Plan (the “related agreements”) shall be in writing, and such agreements shall be subject to termination, without penalty, on not more than sixty days’ written notice to any other party to the agreement, in accordance with the provisions of clauses (a) and (b) of paragraph 6 hereof.

2

3. This Plan, together with any related agreements, has been approved by a majority vote of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan, cast in accordance with the 1940 Act.

 

4. This Plan and any related agreements shall continue in effect with respect to a Fund for a period of more than one year from the date of their adoption or execution only so long as such continuance is approved at least annually by a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of Independent Trustees, pursuant to a vote cast in accordance with the 1940 Act.

 

5. This Plan may be amended at any time with respect to a Fund with the approval of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, provided that (a) any material amendment of this Plan must be approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees in accordance with procedures set forth in paragraph 3 hereof, and (b) any amendment to increase materially the amount to be expended by a Fund pursuant to this Plan must also be approved by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each affected class of shares of that Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act).

 

6. This Plan may be terminated with respect to a class or a Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by (a) the vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, (b) the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or (c) the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of each affected class of shares of that Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act).

 

7. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Independent Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the Independent Trustees then in office.

 

8. To the extent that this Plan constitutes a plan of distribution adopted pursuant to the Rule, it shall remain in effect as such so as to authorize the use of a Fund’s assets in the amounts and for the purposes set forth herein, notwithstanding the occurrence of the Plan’s assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). To the extent this Plan concurrently constitutes an agreement relating to the implementation of the plan of distribution, it shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment, and a Fund may continue to make payments pursuant to this Plan only (a) upon the approval of the Board of Trustees of the Trust in accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraph 3 hereof, and (b) if the obligations of FEF Distributors under this Plan are to be performed by any organization other than FEF Distributors, upon such organization’s adoption and assumption in writing of all provisions of this plan as a party hereto.

 

9. FEF Distributors shall give the Trust the benefit of FEF Distributors’ best judgment and efforts in rendering services under this Plan. As an inducement to FEF Distributors’ undertaking to render these services, the Trust agrees that FEF Distributors shall not be liable under this Plan for any mistakes in judgment or in any other event whatsoever except for lack of good faith, provided that nothing in this Plan shall be deemed to protect or purport to protect FEF Distributors against any liability to the Trust or its stockholders to which FEF Distributors would otherwise be subject by reason of

3

willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of FEF Distributors’ duties under this Plan or by reason of FEF Distributors’ reckless disregard of its obligations and duties hereunder.

 

10. FEF Distributors may also make payments out of its own funds for costs and expenses associated with the distribution and sale of the shares covered under this Plan, including payments to the persons and for the purposes set forth in paragraph 2 hereof.

 

11. FEF Distributors shall prepare and furnish to the Trust’s Board of Trustees, and the Trust’s Board of Trustees shall review at least quarterly, a written report setting forth all amounts expended pursuant to this Plan and any related agreements and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.

 

12. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan, any related agreements and any reports made pursuant to this Plan for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan or any such related agreement or report. For the first two years, copies of such documents shall be preserved in an easily accessible place.

 

13. The provisions of this Plan are severable for each class of shares and each Fund and if provisions of the Plan applicable to a particular class or Fund are terminated, the remainder of the Plan provisions applicable to the other remaining classes or Funds shall not be invalidated thereby and shall be given full force and effect.

 

[Signature Page Follows]

4

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has caused this instrument to be executed in its name and on its behalf by its duly authorized representative as of the date first above written.

 

  FIRST EAGLE FUNDS
     
  By /s/ Sheelyn Michael
  Name: Sheelyn Michael
  Title: Secretary
     
  FEF DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
     
  By /s/ Robert Bruno
  Name: Robert Bruno
  Title: President
5

Exhibit 99.(n)

 

FIRST EAGLE FUNDS

 

First Eagle Global Fund

First Eagle Overseas Fund

First Eagle Gold Fund

First Eagle U.S. Value Fund

First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund

First Eagle High Income Fund

First Eagle Fund of America

First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund

First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 18f-3

 

WHEREAS, First Eagle Funds (the “Trust”) engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”);

 

WHEREAS, shares of beneficial interest of the Trust are currently divided into nine series: First Eagle Global Fund (“Global Fund”), First Eagle Overseas Fund (“Overseas Fund”), First Eagle Gold Fund (“Gold Fund”), First Eagle U.S. Value Fund (“U.S. Value Fund”), First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund (“Global Income Builder Fund”), First Eagle High Income Fund (“High Income Fund”), First Eagle Fund of America, First Eagle Small Cap Opportunity Fund (“Small Cap Fund”) and First Eagle Global Real Assets Fund (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”); and

 

WHEREAS, the Trust employs First Eagle Investment Management, LLC (the “Adviser”) as its investment adviser, and FEF Distributors, LLC (“Underwriter”) as underwriter and distributor of the securities of which it is the issuer.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts, on behalf of the Funds, an Amended and Restated Multi-Class Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act (the “Plan”), as set forth below:

 

1.          Features of the Classes. Except for the Small Cap Fund and Global Real Assets Fund, each Fund shall issue its share of beneficial interest in eight classes (nine classes in the case of First Eagle Fund of America):

 

  § Class A Shares
     
  § Class C Shares
     
  § Class R3 Shares
     
  § Class R4 Shares
1
  § Class R5 Shares
     
  § Class R6 Shares
     
  § Class Y Shares (only for First Eagle Fund of America)
     
  § Class I Shares
     
  § Class T Shares

 

The Small Cap Fund and Global Real Assets Fund shall issue their shares of beneficial interest in three classes, respectively:

 

  § Class A Shares
     
  § Class R6 Shares
     
  § Class I Shares

 

Shares of each class of a Fund shall represent an equal pro rata interest in that Fund and, generally, shall have identical voting, dividend, liquidation, and other rights, preferences, powers, restrictions, limitations, qualifications, and terms and conditions, except that: (a) each class of a Fund shall have a different designation; (b) each class of a Fund shall bear any Class Expenses, as defined in Section 3 below; (c) each class of a Fund shall have exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to its distribution arrangement; and (d) each class of a Fund shall have separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class of the Fund. In addition, shares of each class of a Fund shall have the features described in Paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 5 below.

 

2.          Distribution Plan. The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan with respect to the Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Class R3 Shares, Class R4 Shares and Class T Shares of each of the Global Fund, Overseas Fund, Gold Fund, U.S. Value Fund, Global Income Builder Fund, High Income Fund, Small Cap Fund and Global Real Assets Fund, as applicable, pursuant to Rule 12b-l promulgated under the 1940 Act.

 

  § The Class A Distribution Plan authorizes the Trust to make payments to the Underwriter for distribution and shareholder services, and for otherwise promoting the sale of the Class A Shares of each Fund, at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the assets attributable to the Class A Shares of that Fund.
     
  § The Class C Distribution Plan authorizes the Trust to make payment to the Underwriter for distribution and shareholder services, and for otherwise promoting the sale of Class C shares of a Fund, at an annual rate of up to 1.00% of the average daily net asset value of the assets attributable to the Class C shares of that Fund, provided that up to 0.25% of such average
2
  daily net assets may be designated out of such payment as a “service fee”, as defined in the rules and policy statements of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”).
     
  § The Class R3 Distribution Plan authorizes the Trust to make payments to the Underwriter for distribution and shareholder services, and for otherwise promoting the sale of the Class R3 Shares of a Fund, at an annual rate of up to 0.35% of the average daily net asset value of the assets attributable to the Class R3 Shares of that Fund, provided that up to 0.10% of such average daily net assets may be designated out of such payment as a “service fee,” as defined in the rules and policy statements of the FINRA.
     
  § The Class R4 Distribution Plan authorizes the Trust to make payments to the Underwriter for distribution and shareholder services, and for otherwise promoting the sale of the Class R4 Shares of a Fund, at an annual rate of up to 0.10% of the average daily net asset value of the assets attributable to the Class R4 Shares of that Fund.
     
  § The Class T Distribution Plan authorizes the Trust to make payments to the Underwriter for distribution and shareholder services, and for otherwise promoting the sale of the Class T Shares of a Fund, at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the assets attributable to the Class T Shares of that Fund.

 

The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan with respect to the Class A Shares, Class C Shares, Class Y Shares, Class R3 Shares, Class R4 Shares and Class T Shares of First Eagle Fund of America.

 

  § The Class A Distribution Plan authorizes the Trust to make payments to the Underwriter for distribution and shareholder services, and for otherwise promoting the sale of the Class A Shares, at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the assets attributable to the Class A Shares.
     
  § The Class C Distribution Plan authorizes the Trust to make payments to the Underwriter for distribution and shareholder services, and for otherwise promoting the sale of Class C Shares, at an annual rate of up to 1.00% of the average daily net asset value of the assets attributable to the Class C Shares, provided that up to 0.25% of such average daily net assets may be designated out of such payment as a “service fee,” as defined in the rules and policy statements of the FINRA.
     
  § The Class Y Distribution Plan authorizes the Trust to make payments to the Underwriter for distribution and shareholder services, and for otherwise promoting the sale of Class Y Shares, at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the assets attributable to the
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  Class Y Shares.
     
  § The Class R3 Distribution Plan authorizes the Trust to make payments to the Underwriter for distribution and shareholder services, and for otherwise promoting the sale of the Class R3 Shares, at an annual rate of up to 0.35% of the average daily net asset value of the assets attributable to the Class R3 Shares, provided that up to 0.10% of such average daily net assets may be designated out of such payment as a “service fee,” as defined in the rules and policy statements of the FINRA.
     
  § The Class R4 Distribution Plan authorizes the Trust to make payments to the Underwriter for distribution and shareholder services, and for otherwise promoting the sale of the Class R4 Shares, at an annual rate of up to 0.10% of the average daily net asset value of the assets attributable to the Class R4 Shares.
     
  § The Class T Distribution Plan authorizes the Trust to make payments to the Underwriter for distribution and shareholder services, and for otherwise promoting the sale of the Class T Shares, at an annual rate of up to 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the assets attributable to the Class T Shares.

 

Each Plan further authorizes the Adviser to make assistance payments out of the Adviser’s own resources to brokers, financial institutions and other financial intermediaries for shareholder accounts as to which a payee has rendered distribution services to the Trust. The Class I Shares and those Class R Shares not listed above (i.e., Class R5 and Class R6) of a Fund shall not participate in either Distribution Plan, nor shall any amounts payable under any Distribution Plan be used to make payments for distribution or other services incurred in connection with the sale of Class I and such Class R Shares (i.e., Class R5 and Class R6).

 

As used herein, the term “distribution and shareholder services” shall include, without limitation, paying for the printing and distribution of prospectuses sent to prospective investors, the preparation, printing and distribution of sales literature and the expenses associated with media advertisements and telephone and written correspondence with investors or prospective investors.

 

3.          Allocation of Income and Expenses.

 

(a)          The gross income of each Fund shall, generally, be allocated among the classes of that Fund on the basis of the relative net assets attributable to each Fund’s classes. To the extent practicable, certain expenses (other than Class Expenses, as defined below, which shall be allocated more specifically) shall be subtracted from the gross income on the basis of the relative net assets of each class of the Fund. These expenses include:

 

(1)          Expenses incurred by the Trust (for example, fees of Trustees, auditors and legal counsel) not attributable to a particular Fund or to a particular class of shares of a Fund (“Trust Level Expenses”) that are allocated to the Fund; and

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(2)          Expenses incurred by a Fund not attributable to any particular class of the Fund’s shares (for example, advisory fees, custodial fees, or other expenses relating to the management of the Fund’s assets) (“Fund Expenses”).

 

(b)          Expenses attributable to a particular class (“Class Expenses”) shall be limited to: (i) payments made pursuant to a distribution plan and/or a service plan; (ii) transfer agent fees attributable to a specific class; (iii) printing and postage expenses related to preparing and distributing materials such as shareholder reports, prospectuses and proxies to current shareholders of a specific class; (iv) Blue Sky registration fees incurred by a class; (v) SEC registration fees incurred by a class; (vi) the expense of administrative personnel and services to support the shareholders of a specific class; (vii) litigation or other legal expenses relating solely to one class; and (viii) trustees’ fees incurred as a result of issues relating to one class. Expenses in category (i) above must be allocated to the class for which covered distribution expenses are incurred. All other “Class Expenses” listed in categories (ii)-(viii) above may be allocated to a class but only if the President or Chief Financial Officer has determined, subject to Board approval or ratification, that such categories of expenses may be treated as Class Expenses consistent with applicable legal principles under the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

Accordingly, expenses of a Fund shall be apportioned to each class of shares depending on the nature of the expense item. Trust Level Expenses and Fund Expenses will be allocated among the classes of shares of such Fund based on their relative net asset values. Class Expenses shall be allocated to the particular class to which they are attributable. In addition, certain expenses may be allocated differently if their method of imposition changes. Thus, if a Class Expense can no longer be attributed to a class, it shall be charged to a Fund for allocation among the classes, as determined by the Board of Trustees. Any additional Class Expenses not specifically identified above which are subsequently identified and determined to be properly allocated to one class of shares shall not be so allocated until approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust in light of the requirements of the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

4.          Exchange Privileges.      Subject to limitations disclosed in a Fund’s Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information and in accordance with the procedures described therein, the shares of each Fund may be exchanged for the shares of each of the Trust’s other funds. The exchange privileges may be modified or terminated at any time, or from time to time (in each case, upon 60 days’ notice to shareholders with respect to any termination or modification that would have the effect of limiting shareholder exchange privileges, provided that no such notice is required with respect to exchanges for shares of a fund that for any reason ceases to accept subscriptions). Exchanges of Class T shares are not permitted.

 

5.          Conversion Features.       (a) Subject to limitations and eligibility requirements disclosed in a Fund’s Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information and to any conversion procedures, including share holding periods and/or conversion charges, described therein, the shares of each Fund may be converted as follows:

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(1)          Class A shares and Class C shares of a Fund and Class Y shares of the Fund of America having an aggregate value of $1 million or more may be converted into Class I shares of the same Fund, and Class A shares of these Funds held through certain “wrap fee” programs and 401(k) plans also may be eligible to be converted to Class I shares of the same Fund;

 

(2)          Class C Shares and Class T Shares of a Fund may be converted into Class A Shares, Class I Shares or, in the case of Fund of America Class Y Shares, of the same Fund, provided that such conversion is taking place in a broker-dealer sponsored fee-based or “wrap” account or for accounts investing through an investment adviser or financial planner who charges a consulting, management or other fee for its services.

 

(3)          Class C shares of a Fund will be automatically converted into Class A shares of that Fund eight years after the end of the month of original purchase, provided that the applicable holding period can be identified. In the case of shares held through certain intermediary accounts, such as group retirement plan recordkeeping platforms, a Fund may not be able to independently determine the holding period for the shares to assess eligibility for the conversion. In addition, a financial intermediary may sponsor and/or control accounts, programs or platforms that impose a different conversion schedule or eligibility requirements in regards to the conversion of Class C shares into Class A shares. A Fund may not be able to initiate a conversion without the assistance of the intermediary in those circumstances. Shareholders holding shares of the Funds through such accounts will be suggested in the Funds’ prospectus to contact their intermediary with questions regarding conversions. Shorter holding periods than eight years may allow for conversion depending on the schedule and eligibility terms of the applicable intermediary.

 

(4)          Shares of any other class may be converted to Class R3, Class R4, Class R5 or Class R6 Shares of the same Fund; and

 

(5)          Class A Shares, Class I Shares and Class C Shares of each Fund and Class Y Shares of the Fund of America may be converted to Class T Shares of the same Fund.

 

(b)          Any such conversion shall take place at net asset value, shall not result in the realization of income or gain for federal income tax purposes and shall be tax free to shareholders. Only Class C Shares held longer than 13 months may be converted.

 

6.          Sales Charges. Class A Shares and Class C Shares shall be subject to a sales charge at the rates (and subject to the reductions and exemptions) described in the Funds’ prospectus. When the aggregate offering price of Class A Shares or Class C Shares of the Funds purchased by an investor qualifies the investor to purchase such shares without paying a sales charge, a contingent deferred sales charge may be imposed at the rates (and subject to the reductions and exemptions) described in the prospectus.

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7.          Waiver or Reimbursement of Expenses. Expenses may be voluntarily waived or reimbursed by the Adviser or any other provider of services to the Trust without the prior approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees. Voluntary waivers or reimbursements may be discontinued at any time, without prior notice, unless notice is required by disclosures made in the Fund’s Prospectus or Statement of Additional Information.

 

8.          Effectiveness of Plan. This Plan shall take effect upon approval by votes of a majority of both (a) the Trustees of the Trust and (b) the Trustees of the Trust who are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust, such Trustees having determined that the Plan as proposed to be adopted or amended, including the allocation of expenses, is in the best interests of each class individually and the Trust as a whole.

 

9.          Material Modifications. This Plan may be amended to modify materially its terms, provided that any such amendment will become effective only upon approval in the manner provided for initial approval in Paragraph 8 hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, has adopted this Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan as of the 9th day of September, 2021.

 

  FIRST EAGLE FUNDS
   
  By:   /s/ Sheelyn Michael
  Name:   Sheelyn Michael
  Title:   Secretary
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Exhibit 99.(q)(3)

 

FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL CAYMAN FUND, LTD.

FIRST EAGLE OVERSEAS CAYMAN FUND, LTD.

FIRST EAGLE U.S. VALUE CAYMAN FUND, LTD.

FIRST EAGLE GOLD CAYMAN FUND, LTD.

FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL REAL ASSETS CAYMAN FUND, LTD.

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

The person whose signature appears below hereby appoints Mehdi Mahmud, Sheelyn Michael and David O’Connor and each of them, each of whom may act without the joinder of others, as such person’s attorney-in-fact to sign and file on such person’s behalf individually and in the capacity stated below such registration statements, amendments, post-effective amendments, exhibits, applications and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority as may be desirable or necessary in connection with the public offering of shares of the First Eagle Funds and reference in the course of the same to any or all of the funds listed in the heading to this power of attorney.

 

Signature:  /s/ Glenn Mitchell  
Name:  Glenn Mitchell  
Title: Director  
Date: September 9, 2021  
 

FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL CAYMAN FUND, LTD.

FIRST EAGLE OVERSEAS CAYMAN FUND, LTD.

FIRST EAGLE U.S. VALUE CAYMAN FUND, LTD.

FIRST EAGLE GOLD CAYMAN FUND, LTD.

FIRST EAGLE GLOBAL REAL ASSETS CAYMAN FUND, LTD.

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

The person whose signature appears below hereby appoints Mehdi Mahmud, Sheelyn Michael and David O’Connor and each of them, each of whom may act without the joinder of others, as such person’s attorney-in-fact to sign and file on such person’s behalf individually and in the capacity stated below such registration statements, amendments, post-effective amendments, exhibits, applications and other documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other regulatory authority as may be desirable or necessary in connection with the public offering of shares of the First Eagle Funds and reference in the course of the same to any or all of the funds listed in the heading to this power of attorney.

 

Signature:  /s/ Masciline Chinongoza  
Name:  Masciline Chinongoza  
Title: Director  
Date: September 9, 2021