As filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission on February 14, 2006
1933 Act
File No. 2-27962
1940 Act File No.
811-1545
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION | ||
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 | ||
FORM N-1A | ||
REGISTRATION STATEMENT | ||
UNDER | ||
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | [ ] | |
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 75 | [X] | |
REGISTRATION STATEMENT | ||
UNDER | ||
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | [ ] | |
AMENDMENT NO. 62 | [X] |
EATON VANCE SPECIAL INVESTMENT
TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) |
The Eaton Vance Building, 255
State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
(617)
482-8260
(Registrants Telephone Number) |
ALAN R.
DYNNER
The Eaton Vance Building, 255 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109 (Name and Address of Agent for Service) |
If appropriate, check the following
box:
|
It is proposed that this filing will become effective pursuant to Rule 485 (check appropriate box):
[ ] | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) | [ ] | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) | |||
[ ] | on May 2, 2005 pursuant to paragraph (b) | [ ] | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) | |||
[ ] | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) | [X] | on May 1, 2006 pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
If appropriate, check the following box:
[ ] This post effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
LOGO
|
Eaton
Vance
Real Estate Fund |
A non-diversified fund seeking total
return
|
Prospectus Dated
April XX, 2006
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or determined whether this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Information in this prospectus | ||||||
Page | Page | |||||
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Fund Summary | 2 | Purchasing Shares | 6 | |||
Investment Objective & Principal Policies and Risks | 4 | Redeeming Shares | 7 | |||
Management and Organization | 5 | Shareholder Account Features | 8 | |||
Valuing Shares | 5 | Tax Information | 9 |
This prospectus contains important information about the Fund and the services available to shareholders. Please save it for reference.
Fund
Summary
|
Investment Objective and Principal Strategies. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek total return through a combination of capital appreciation and current income. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in the equity securities of companies primarily engaged in the real estate industry, such as real estate investment trusts (REITs), and other real estate related investments. Although it invests primarily in domestic securities, the Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in foreign securities.
Principal Risk Factors. The value of Fund shares is sensitive to stock market volatility. If there is a general decline in the value of publicly-traded stocks, the value of the Funds shares will also likely decline. Changes in stock market values can be sudden and unpredictable. Although stock values can rebound, there is no assurance that values will return to previous levels. Additionally, since the Fund concentrates its assets in the real estate industry, the value of the Funds investments will be impacted by the performance of the real estate markets. The Fund may invest in small and medium-sized companies, whose share values and business lines may be subject to greater fluctuation and investment risk than those of larger companies.
Because the Fund may invest a portion of its assets in foreign securities, the value of Fund shares may be affected by changes in currency exchange rates and other developments abroad.
Derivative transactions (such as the purchase of put options, futures contracts and options thereon and options on securities, currencies and securities indices and the sale of call options and stock index futures) subject the Fund to increased risk of principal loss due to imperfect correlation, failure of the counterparty, or unexpected price or interest rate movements.
As a non-diversified fund, the Fund may invest a larger portion of its assets in the securities of a limited number of issuers than may a diversified fund. This makes a Fund more susceptible to adverse economic, business or other devleopments affecting such issuers. The Fund may invest, with respect to 50% of its total assets, more than 5% (but not more than 25%) of its total assets in securities of any one issuer.
The Fund is not a complete investment program and you may lose money by investing. Shareholders should invest for the long-term. An investment in the Fund is not a deposit in a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
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Performance Information. As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund had not begun operations so there is no performance history.
Fund Fees and Expenses. The table describes the expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold Class I shares.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that are deducted from Fund assets) | ||
|
||
Management Fees | 0.80% | |
Other Expenses* | 0.35 % | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.15% |
*Other Expenses is
estimated.
|
Class I shares are offered to employees of Eaton Vance Corp. and its affiliates, clients of Eaton Vance and certain institutional investors.
Example. This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years | |||||
|
||||||
Fund shares | $114 | $365 |
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Investment Objective & Principal Policies and Risks
The Funds investment objective is to seek total return through a combination of capital appreciation and current income. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets in the equity securities of companies primarily engaged in the real estate industry, such as REITs and other real estate related investments (the 80% policy). This policy will not be changed unless Fund shareholders are given 60 days notice of the change. For purposes of the 80% policy, net assets includes any borrowings for investment purposes.
Companies primarily engaged in the real estate industry and other real estate related investments may include REITs or real estate operating companies that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, real estate developers, companies with substantial real estate holdings and other companies whose products and services are related to the real estate industry, such as lodging operators, brokers, property management companies, building supply manufacturers, mortgage lenders, or mortgage servicing companies. The Fund will not own real estate directly.
The portfolio manager generally seeks to purchase securities believed to have the potential for above-average earnings growth and profit margins, as well as good appreciation prospects and income-producing potential. Factors to be considered by the portfolio manager in selecting real estate companies include one or more of the following: potential for growth and earnings estimates; relative valuation; free cash flow; undervalued assets; quality and experience of management; type of real estate owned; and the nature of a companys real estate activities. The portfolio manager may sell a security when the investment advisers price objective for the stock is reached, the fundamentals of the company change or to pursue more attractive investment options.
The real estate industry is particularly sensitive to economic downturns. The value of securities of issuers in the real estate industry can be affected by changes in real estate values and rental income, property taxes, interest rates and tax and regulatory requirements. Changes in underlying real estate values may have an exaggerated effect to the extent that REITs concentrate investments in particular geographic regions or property types. The value of a REIT can depend on the structure of and cash flow generated by the REIT. In addition, even larger REITs tend to be small to medium-sized companies when compared to companies in other industries or sectors. Many smaller companies may be dependent on fewer products, services or markets, have limited financial resources or may rely upon a limited management group, may lack substantial capital reserves and may not have established performance records. Smaller company stocks frequently have lower trading volume and tend to be more sensitive to changes in earnings projections than stocks of more established companies, making them more volatile and possibly more difficult to value.
Derivative instruments, such as the purchase of put options, futures contracts and options thereon and options on securities, currencies and securities indices, the sale of call options and stock index futures, may be used by the Fund to enhance returns, to protect against price declines or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities. The use of derivatives is highly specialized and engaging in derivative transactions for purposes other than hedging is speculative. The built-in leverage inherent to many derivative instruments can result in losses that substantially exceed the initial amount paid or received by the Fund. Derivative instruments may be difficult to value, may be illiquid, and may be subject to wide swings in valuation caused by changes in the value of the underlying security. Derivative hedging transactions may not be effective because of imperfect correlation and other factors.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of assets in foreign securities. The value of foreign securities is affected by changes in currency rates, foreign tax laws (including withholding tax), government policies (in this country or abroad), relations between nations and trading, settlement, custodial and other operational risks. In addition, the costs of investing abroad are generally higher than in the United States, and foreign securities markets may be less liquid, more volatile and less subject to governmental supervision than markets in the United States. Foreign investments also could be affected by other factors not present in the United States, including expropriation, armed conflict, confiscatory taxation, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards, less publicly available financial and other information and potential difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations. As an alternative to holding foreign-traded securities, the Fund may invest in dollar-denominated securities of foreign companies that trade on U.S. exchanges or in the U.S. over-the-counter market (including depositary receipts which evidence ownership in underlying foreign securities); such investments are not subject to the Funds 20% limitation on investing in foreign securities.
The Fund may not invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which may be difficult to value properly and may involve greater risks than liquid securities. Illiquid securities include those legally restricted as to resale, and may include commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 and securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A thereunder. Certain Section 4(2) and Rule 144A securities may be treated as liquid securities if the investment adviser determines that such treatment is warranted. Even if determined to be liquid, holdings of these securities may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing them.
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The Fund may borrow amounts up to one-third of the value of its total assets (including borrowings), but it will not borrow more than 5% of the value of its total assets except to satisfy redemption requests or for other temporary purposes. Such borrowings would result in increased expense to the Fund and, while they are outstanding, would magnify increases or decreases in the value of Fund shares. The Fund will not purchase additional investment securities while outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of the value of its total assets. During unusual market conditions, the Fund may temporarily invest up to 100% of its assets in cash or cash equivalents, which may be inconsistent with the Funds investment objective. The Fund might not use all of the strategies and techniques or invest in all of the types of securities described in this Prospectus or in the Statement of Additional Information. While at times the Fund may use alternative investment strategies in an effort to limit losses, it may choose not to do so.
The Fund may invest in pooled investment vehicles, such as exchange traded funds. When so invested, the Fund will bear its allocable share of expenses of the investment. The Funds investment policies include a fundamental investment provision allowing the Fund to invest substantially all of its investable assets in one or more open-end management investment companies having substantially the same investment policies and restrictions as the Fund. Any such company or companies would be advised by the Funds investment adviser (or an affiliate) and the Fund would not pay directly any advisory fee with respect to the assets so invested. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees paid by investment companies in which it invests in addition to the advisory fee paid by the Fund. The Fund may initiate investments in one or more investment companies at any time without shareholder approval.
Management. The Funds investment adviser is Eaton Vance Management (Eaton Vance), with offices at The Eaton Vance Building, 255 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. Eaton Vance has been managing assets since 1924 and managing mutual funds since 1931. Eaton Vance and its subsidiaries currently manage over $110 billion on behalf of mutual funds, institutional clients and individuals.
The investment adviser manages the investments of the Fund. Under its investment advisory agreement, Eaton Vance receives a monthly advisory fee equal to 0.65% annuallyof average daily net assets of the Fund.
The Funds shareholder report will provide information regarding the basis for the Trustees approval of the Funds investment advisory agreement.
J. Scott Craig has served as portfolio manager of the Fund since it commenced operations. Prior to joining Eaton Vance in 2005, Mr. Craig served as Director-Real Estate Equities and REIT Portfolio Manager at the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he was employed for 12 years. He is a Vice President of Eaton Vance.
The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the portfolio managers compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and the portfolio managers ownership of shares of the Fund.
Eaton Vance serves as the administrator of the Fund, providing the Fund with administrative services and related office facilities. In return, Eaton Vance receives a monthly administrative fee equal to 0.15% annually of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
Eaton Vance also serves as the sub-transfer agent for the Fund. For the sub-transfer agency services it provides, Eaton Vance receives an aggregate fee based upon the actual expenses it incurs in the performance of sub-transfer agency services. This fee is paid to Eaton Vance by the Funds transfer agent from fees it receives from the Eaton Vance funds.
Organization. The Fund is a series of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund does not hold annual shareholder meetings but may hold special meetings for matters that require shareholder approval (such as electing or removing trustees, approving management or advisory contracts or changing investment policies that may only be changed with shareholder approval).
The Fund values its shares once each day only when the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading (typically Monday through Friday), as of the close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. eastern time). The purchase price of Fund shares is their value, plus a sales charge, which is derived from the value of portfolio holdings. When purchasing or redeeming Fund shares, your investment dealer must communicate your order to the principal underwriter by a specific time each day in order for the purchase price or the redemption price to be based on that days net asset value per share. It is the investment dealers responsibility to transmit orders promptly. The Fund may accept purchase and redemption orders as of the time of their receipt by certain investment dealers (or their designated intermediaries).
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The Trustees have adopted procedures for valuing investments and have delegated to the investment adviser the daily valuation of such investments. Pursuant to the procedures, exchange-listed securities normally are valued at closing sale prices. In certain situations, the investment adviser may use the fair value of a security if market prices are unavailable or deemed unreliable, or if events occur after the close of a securities market (usually a foreign market) and before the Fund values its assets that would materially affect net asset value. In addition, for foreign equity securities that meet certain criteria, the Trustees have approved the use of a fair value service that values such securities to reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities. A security that is fair valued may be valued at a price higher or lower than actual market quotations or the value determined by other funds using their own fair valuation procedures. Because foreign securities trade on days when Fund shares are not priced, net asset value can change on days when Fund shares cannot be redeemed. The investment adviser expects to fair value domestic securities in limited circumstances, such as when the securities are subject to restrictions on resale. Eaton Vance has established a Valuation Committee that oversees the valuation of investments.
Purchasing
Shares
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Class I shares are offered to employees of Eaton Vance and its affiliates, clients of Eaton Vance and certain institutional investors. You may purchase Class I shares for cash or in exchange for securities. Your initial investment must be at least $250,000. The price of Fund shares is the net asset value. The Fund or your investment dealer must receive your purchase order no later than the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. eastern time) in order for your purchase to be effected at that days net asset value. Please call 1-800-225-6265 for information about exchanging securities for Fund shares. To make an investment by wire, you must call 1-800-225-6265 (extension 3) for wiring instructions. The Fund may suspend the sale of its shares at any time and any purchase order may be refused.
After your initial investment, additional investments of $50 or more may be made at any time by sending a wire or check payable to the order of the Fund or the transfer agent directly to the transfer agent (see back cover for address). Please include your name and account number and the name of the Fund with each investment.
You may also make automatic investments of $50 or more each month or quarter from your bank account. You can establish bank automated investing on the account application or by calling 1-800-262-1122. The minimum initial investment amount and Fund policy of redeeming accounts with low account balances are waived for bank automated investing accounts and certain group purchase plans.
Restrictions on Excessive Trading and Market Timing. The Fund is not intended for excessive trading or market timing. Market timers seek to profit by rapidly switching money into a fund when they expect the share price of the fund to rise and taking money out of the fund when they expect those prices to fall. By realizing profits through short-term trading, shareholders that engage in rapid purchases and sales or exchanges of a funds shares may dilute the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. Volatility resulting from excessive purchases and sales or exchanges of fund shares, especially involving large dollar amounts, may disrupt efficient portfolio management. In particular, excessive purchases and sales or exchanges of a funds shares may cause a fund to have difficulty implementing its investment strategies, may force the fund to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times to raise cash or may cause increased expenses (such as increased brokerage costs, realization of taxable capital gains without attaining any investment advantage or increased administrative costs).
A fund that invests in securities that are, among other things, thinly traded, traded infrequently or relatively illiquid (including certain securities that may be held by the Fund, such as restricted securities) is susceptible to the risk that the current market price for such securities may not accurately reflect current market values. A shareholder may seek to engage in short-term trading to take advantage of these pricing differences (commonly referred to as price arbitrage). In addition, because the Fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in foreign securities, it may be susceptible to a time zone arbitrage strategy in which shareholders attempt to take advantage of Fund share prices that may not reflect developments in a foreign securities market that occur after the close of such market but prior to the pricing of Fund shares. The investment adviser is authorized to use the fair value of a security if market prices are unavailable or deemed unreliable (see "Valuing Shares"). The use of fair value pricing and the restrictions on excessive trading and market timing described below are intended to reduce a shareholders ability to engage in price or time zone arbitrage to the detriment of the Fund.
The Boards of Trustees of the Eaton Vance funds have adopted policies to discourage short-term trading and market timing and to seek to minimize their potentially detrimental effects. Pursuant to these policies, if an investor (through one or more accounts) makes more than two round-trip exchanges (exchanging from one fund to another fund and back again) within 12 months, it will be deemed to constitute market timing or excessive trading. Under the policies, the Fund or its principal
6
underwriter will reject or cancel a purchase order, suspend or terminate the exchange privilege or terminate the ability of an investor to invest in the Eaton Vance funds if the Fund or the principal underwriter determines that a proposed transaction involves market timing or excessive trading that it believes is likely to be detrimental to the Fund. The Fund and its principal underwriter cannot ensure that they will be able to identify all cases of market timing and excessive trading, although they believe they have adequate procedures in place to attempt to do so. The Fund or its principal underwriter may also reject or cancel any purchase order (including an exchange) from an investor or group of investors for any other reason. Decisions to reject or cancel purchase orders (including exchanges) in the Fund are inherently subjective and will be made in a manner believed to be in the best interest of a Funds shareholders. No Eaton Vance fund has any arrangement to permit market timing.
The Fund and the principal underwriter have provided guidance to financial intermediaries (such as banks, broker-dealers, insurance companies and retirement administrators) concerning the application of the Eaton Vance funds market timing and excessive trading policies to Fund shares held in omnibus accounts maintained and administered by such intermediaries, including guidance concerning situations where market timing or excessive trading is considered to be detrimental to the Fund. The Fund or its principal underwriter may rely on a financial intermediarys policy to restrict market timing and excessive trading if it believes that policy is likely to prevent market timing that is likely to be detrimental to the Fund. Such policy may be more or less restrictive than the Funds policy. The Fund and the principal underwriter cannot ensure that these financial intermediaries will in all cases apply the policies of the Fund or their own policies, as the case may be, to accounts under their control.
Payments to Investment Dealers. The principal underwriter, out of its own resources, may make cash payments to certain investment dealers who provide marketing support, transaction processing and/or administrative services and, in some cases, include some or all Eaton Vance funds in preferred or specialized selling programs. Payments made by the principal underwriter to an investment dealer may be significant and are typically in the form of fees based on Fund sales, assets, transactions processed and/or accounts attributable to that investment dealer. Investment dealers also may receive amounts from the principal underwriter in connection with educational or due diligence meetings that include information concerning Eaton Vance funds. The principal underwriter may pay or allow other promotional incentives or payments to investment dealers to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations.
Certain investment dealers that maintain street name or omnibus accounts provide sub-accounting, recordkeeping and/ or administrative services to the Eaton Vance funds and are compensated for such services by the funds. As used in this prospectus, the term investment dealer includes any broker, dealer, bank (including bank trust departments), registered investment adviser, financial planner, retirement plan administrator, their designated intermediaries and any other firm having a selling, administration or similar agreement with the principal underwriter or its affiliates.
Redeeming Shares
You can redeem shares in one of two
ways:
By Wire | If you have given complete written authorization in advance you may request that | |
redemption proceeds be wired directly to your bank account. The bank designated | ||
may be any bank in the United States. The redemption request may be made by | ||
calling the transfer agent at 1-800-262-1122 or by sending a signature guaranteed | ||
letter of instruction to the transfer agent (see back cover for address). You may be | ||
required to pay the costs of redeeming by wire; however, no costs are currently | ||
charged. The Fund may suspend or terminate this expedited payment procedure | ||
upon at least 30 days notice. | ||
Through an Investment Dealer | Your investment dealer is responsible for transmitting the order promptly. An | |
investment dealer may charge a fee for this service. |
If you redeem shares, your redemption price will be based on the net asset value per share next computed after the redemption request is received. Your redemption proceeds will be paid in cash within seven days, reduced by the amount of any federal income tax required to be withheld. Payments will be sent by mail unless you complete the Bank Wire Redemptions section of the account application.
While redemption proceeds are normally paid in cash, redemptions may be paid by distributing marketable securities. If you receive securities, you could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash.
7
Shareholder Account Features
Distributions. You may have your Fund distributions paid in one of the following ways:
* Full Reinvest Option | Dividends and capital gains are reinvested in additional shares. This option will be | |
assigned if you do not specify an option. | ||
* Partial Reinvest Option | Dividends are paid in cash and capital gains are reinvested in additional shares. | |
* Cash Option | Dividends and capital gains are paid in cash. |
Information about the Fund. From time to time, you may be mailed the following:
* Semiannual and annual reports containing a list of portfolio holdings as of the end of the second and fourth fiscal |
quarters, respectively, performance information and financial statements. |
* Periodic account statements, showing recent activity and total share balance. |
* Form 1099 and tax information needed to prepare your income tax returns. |
* Proxy materials, in the event a shareholder vote is required. |
* Special notices about significant events affecting your Fund. |
The Fund will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) a list of its portfolio holdings as of the end of the first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q. The Funds annual and semiannual reports (as filed on Form N-CSR) and each Form N-Q may be viewed on the SECs website (www.sec.gov). The most recent fiscal and calendar quarter end holdings may also be viewed on the Eaton Vance website (www.eatonvance.com). Portfolio holdings information is filed with the SEC or posted on the Eaton Vance website approximately 60 days after the end of the quarter to which it relates. The Fund also posts information about certain portfolio characteristics (such as top ten holdings and asset allocation) as of the most recent calendar quarter end on the Eaton Vance website approximately ten business days after the most recent calendar quarter end.
The Eaton Vance funds have established policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of portfolio holdings and other information concerning Fund characteristics. A description of these policies and procedures is provided in the Statement of Additional Information. Such policies and procedures regarding disclosure of portfolio holdings are designed to prevent the misuse of material, non-public information about the funds.
Exchange Privilege. You may exchange your Class I shares for other Eaton Vance fund Class I shares. Exchanges are made at net asset value (subject to any applicable redemption fee) Before exchanging, you should read the prospectus of the new fund carefully. If you wish to exchange shares, write to the transfer agent (see back cover for address) or call 1-800-262-1122. The exchange privilege may be changed or discontinued at any time. You will receive 60 days notice of any material change to the privilege. This privilege may not be used for market timing. If an account (or group of accounts) makes more than two round-trip exchanges (exchanged from one fund to another and back again) within twelve months, it will be deemed to be market timing. As described under Purchasing Shares, the exchange privilege may be terminated for market timing accounts or for other reasons.
Telephone and Electronic Transactions. The transfer agent and the principal underwriter have procedures in place to authenticate telephone and electronic instructions (such as using security codes or verifying personal account information). As long as the transfer agent and principal underwriter follow reasonable procedures, they will not be responsible for unauthorized telephone or electronic transactions and you bear the risk of possible loss resulting from these transactions. You may decline the telephone redemption option on the account application. Telephone instructions are tape recorded.
Procedures for Opening New Accounts. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires the Fund to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person who opens a Fund account. When you open an account, the transfer agent or your investment dealer will ask you for your name, address, date of birth and other identifying information. You also may be asked to produce a copy of your drivers license and other identifying documents. If a person fails to provide the information requested, any application by that person to open a new account will be rejected. Moreover, if the transfer agent or the investment dealer is unable to verify the identity of a person based on information provided by that person, it may take additional steps including, but not limited to, requesting additional information from the person, closing the persons account or reporting the matter to the appropriate federal authorities. If your account is closed for this reason, your shares may be automatically redeemed. If the Funds net asset value has decreased since your purchase, you will lose money as a result of this redemption.
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Account Questions. If you have any questions about your account or the services available, please call Eaton Vance Shareholder Services at 1-800-262-1122, or write to the transfer agent (see back cover for address).
Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans. Fund shares are available for purchase in connection with certain tax-deferred retirement plans. Call 1-800-262-1122 for information. Distributions will be invested in additional shares for all tax-deferred retirement plans.
Tax
Information
|
The Fund intends to make quarterly pay outs to shareholders of virtually all of the distributions it receives from its REIT investments, less expenses, as well as income from other investments. Such distributions may include income, return of capital, and capital gains. The Fund may also realize capital gains on the sale of its REIT shares and other investments. Distributions of these gains, if any, will be made annually. In addition, the Fund may occasionally be required to make supplemental distributions at some other time during the year. The amount of distributions will vary, and there is no guarantee the Fund will pay either income dividends or capital gain distributions.
Distributions of income and short-term capital gains will be taxable as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long the shareholder has owned his or her shares. The Funds distributions will be taxable as described above whether they are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares.
Investors who purchase shares at a time when the Funds net asset value reflects gains that are either unrealized or realized but not distributed will pay the full price for the shares and then may receive some portion of the purchase price back as a taxable distribution. A redemption of Fund shares, including an exchange for shares of another fund, is a taxable transaction.
The Fund expects to send shareholders a statement each February, pending IRS approval, showing the tax status of all distributions. (Funds generally mail their tax statements in January; the Fund will mail its statements later because REITs do not provide information on the taxability of their distributions until after calendar year end.) Certain distributions paid in January will be taxable to the shareholders as if received on December 31 of the prior year.
The Funds investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, which would decrease the Funds income on such securities. Shareholders generally will not be entitled to claim a credit or decoction with respect to foreign taxes paid by the Fund. In addition, investments in foreign securities or foreign currencies may increase or accelerate the Funds recognition of ordinary income and may affect the timing and amount of the Funds distributions.
Shareholders should consult with their advisers concerning the applicability of state, local and other taxes to an investment.
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LOGO
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More
Information
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About the Fund: More information is available in the statement of additional information. The statement of additional information is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Additional information about the Funds investments is available in the annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds performance during the past fiscal year. You may obtain free copies of the statement of additional information and the shareholder reports on Eaton Vances website at www.eatonvance.com or by contacting the principal underwriter:
Eaton Vance Distributors,
Inc.
The Eaton Vance Building 255 State Street Boston, MA 02109 1-800-225-6265 website: www.eatonvance.com |
You will find and may copy information about the Fund (including the statement of additional information and shareholder reports) at: the Securities and Exchange Commissions public reference room in Washington, DC (call 1-202-942-8090 for information on the operation of the public reference room); on the EDGAR Database on the SECs Internet site (http://www.sec.gov); or, upon payment of copying fees, by writing to the SECs public reference section, Washington, DC 20549-0102, or by electronic mail at publicinfo@sec.gov.
About Shareholder Accounts: You can obtain more information from Eaton Vance Shareholder Services (1-800-262-1122). If you own shares and would like to add to, redeem or change your account, please write or call the transfer agent:
PFPC Inc.
P.O. Box 9653 Providence, RI 02940-9653 1-800-262-1122 |
The Funds SEC File No. is 811-01545. | REF | |||
N/A-4/06 | © 2006 Eaton Vance Management |
STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION April XX, 2006 |
Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund
Class I
Shares
The Eaton Vance Building 255 State Street Boston, Massachusetts 02109 1-800-262-1122 |
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides general information about the Fund. The Fund is a non-diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund is a series of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust). Capitalized terms used in this SAI and not otherwise defined have the meanings given to them in the prospectus. This SAI contains additional information about:
Page | Page | |||||
Strategies and Risks | 2 | Purchasing and Redeeming Shares | 13 | |||
Investment Restrictions | 4 | Performance | 14 | |||
Management and Organization | 5 | Taxes | 15 | |||
Investment Advisory and Administrative Services | 10 | Portfolio Securities Transactions | 17 | |||
Other Service Providers | 12 | Financial Statements | 19 | |||
Calculation of Net Asset Value | 12 | |||||
Appendix A: Class I Fees, Performance and Ownership | 20 | Appendix C: Adviser Proxy Voting Policies | 23 | |||
Appendix B: Eaton Vance Funds Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures | 21 |
This SAI is NOT a prospectus and is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only if preceded or accompanied by the Funds prospectus dated April XX, 2006, as supplemented from time to time, which is incorporated herein by reference. This SAI should be read in conjunction with the prospectus, which may be obtained by calling 1-800-225-6265.
© 2006 Eaton Vance Management
The following defined terms may be used herein: SEC for the Securities and Exchange Commission; CFTC for the Commodities Futures Trading Commission; Code for the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; 1940 Act for the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; and NASD for the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
STRATEGIES AND
RISKS
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Primary strategies are defined in the prospectus. The following is a description of the various investment practices that may be engaged in, whether as a primary or secondary strategy, and a summary of certain attendant risks. The investment adviser(s) may not buy any of the following instruments or use any of the following techniques unless it believes that doing so will help achieve the investment objective(s).
Real Estate Investments. Securities of companies in the real estate industry such as REITs are sensitive to factors such as changes in real estate values, property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, occupancy rates, government regulations affecting zoning, land use, and rents, and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer. Companies in the real estate industry may also be subject to liabilities under environmental and hazardous waste laws, among others. Investments in REITs may also be adversely affected by rising interest rates.
Equity Investments. The Fund invests primarily in common stocks. The Fund also may invest in investment-grade preferred stocks, debt securities (normally limited to securities convertible into common stocks), warrants and other equity securities and instruments, including equity interests in pooled investment vehicles, such as exchange-traded funds. When invested in pooled investment vehicles the Fund will bear any expenses of the investment in addition to its own expenses.
Foreign Investments. Because foreign companies are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. Volume and liquidity in most foreign debt markets is less than in the United States and securities of some foreign companies are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. There is generally less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, broker-dealers and listed companies than in the United States. Mail service between the United States and foreign countries may be slower or less reliable than within the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. Payment for securities before delivery may be required. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, or diplomatic developments which could affect investments in those countries. Moreover, individual foreign economies may differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross national product, rate of inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position. Foreign securities markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those in the United States, and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies.
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) may be purchased. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs are certificates evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign issuer and are 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. These risks include the political and economic risks of the underlying issuers country, as well as in the case of depositary receipts traded on non-U.S. markets for exchange risk. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may be sponsored or unsponsored. Unsponsored receipts are established without the participation of the issuer. Unsponsored receipts may involve higher expenses, they may not pass-through voting or other shareholder rights, and they may be less liquid.
Foreign Currency Transactions. The value of foreign assets as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency rates and exchange control regulations. Currency exchange rates can also be affected unpredictably by intervention by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks, or the failure to intervene, or by currency controls or political developments in the U.S. or abroad. Foreign currency exchange transactions may be conducted on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market or through entering into derivative currency transactions. Currency futures contracts are exchange-traded and change in value to reflect movements of a currency or a basket of currencies. Settlement must be made in a designated currency.
Currency transactions are subject to the risk of a number of complex political and economic factors applicable to the countries issuing the underlying currencies. Furthermore, unlike trading in most other types of instruments, there is no systematic reporting of last sale information with respect to the foreign currencies underlying the derivative currency transactions. As a result, available information may not be complete. In an over-the-counter trading environment, there are no daily price fluctuation limits. There may be no liquid secondary market to close out options purchased or written,
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or forward contracts entered into, until their exercise, expiration or maturity. There is also the risk of default by, or the bankruptcy of, the financial institution serving as a counterparty.
Derivative Instruments. Derivative instruments (which are instruments that derive their value from another instrument, security, index or currency) may be purchased or sold to enhance return (which may be considered speculative), to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices, market conditions or currency exchange rates, or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities or currencies. Such transactions may be in the U.S. or abroad and may include the purchase or sale of futures contracts on indices and options on stock index futures, the purchase of put options and the sale of call options on securities held, equity swaps, the purchase and sale of currency futures, and forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Transactions in derivative instruments involve a risk of loss or depreciation due to: unanticipated adverse changes in securities prices, interest rates, indices, the other financial instruments prices or currency exchange rates; the inability to close out a position; default by the counterparty; imperfect correlation between a position and the desired hedge; tax constraints on closing out positions; and portfolio management constraints on securities subject to such transactions. The loss on derivative instruments (other than purchased options) may substantially exceed an investment in these instruments. In addition, the entire premium paid for purchased options may be lost before they can be profitably exercised. Transaction costs are incurred in opening and closing positions. Derivative instruments may sometimes increase or leverage exposure to a particular market risk, thereby increasing price volatility of derivative instruments the Fund holds. The Funds success in using derivative instruments to hedge portfolio assets depends on the degree of price correlation between the derivative instruments and the hedged asset. Imperfect correlation may be caused by several factors, including temporary price disparities among the trading markets for the derivative instrument, the assets underlying the derivative instrument and the Funds assets.
Over-the-counter (OTC) derivative instruments involve an enhanced risk that the issuer or counterparty will fail to perform its contractual obligations. Some derivative instruments are not readily marketable or may become illiquid under adverse market conditions. In addition, during periods of market volatility, a commodity exchange may suspend or limit trading in an exchange-traded derivative instrument, which may make the contract temporarily illiquid and difficult to price. Commodity exchanges may also establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract or futures option can vary from the previous days settlement price. Once the daily limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. This may prevent the closing out of positions to limit losses. The staff of the SEC takes the position that certain purchased OTC options, and assets used as cover for written OTC options, are illiquid. The ability to terminate OTC derivative instruments may depend on the cooperation of the counterparties to such contracts. For thinly traded derivative instruments, the only source of price quotations may be the selling dealer or counterparty. In addition, certain provisions of the Code limit the use of derivative instruments. The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of a Commodity Pool Operator ("CPO") under the Commodity Exchange Act and therefore is not subject to registration as a CPO. The use of derivatives are highly specialized activities that involve skills different from conducting ordinary portfolio securities transactions. There can be no assurance that the investment advisers use of derivative instruments will be advantageous to the Fund. The Fund will engage in transactions in futures contracts and regulated options only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Code for maintaining the qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes.
Foreign exchange traded futures contracts and options thereon may be used only if the investment adviser determines that trading on such foreign exchange does not entail risks, including credit and liquidity risks, that are materially greater than the risks associated with trading on CFTC-regulated exchanges.
A put option on a security may be written only if the investment adviser intends to acquire the security. Credit exposure on equity swaps to any one counterparty will be limited to 5% or less of net assets. Call options written on securities will be covered by ownership of the securities subject to the call option on an offsetting option.
Asset Coverage. To the extent required by SEC guidelines, the Fund will only engage in transactions that expose it to an obligation to another party if it owns either (1) an offsetting (covered) position for the same type of financial asset, or (2) cash or liquid securities, segregated with its custodian, with a value sufficient at all times to cover its potential obligations not covered as provided in (1). Assets used as cover or segregated with the custodian cannot be sold while the position(s) requiring cover is open unless replaced with other appropriate assets. As a result, if a large portion of assets is segregated or committed as cover, it could impede portfolio management or the ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
Short Sales. The Fund may sell a security short if it owns at least an equal amount of the security sold short or another security convertible or exchangeable for an equal amount of the security sold short without payment of further compensation (a short sale against-the-box). In a short sale against-the-box, the short seller is exposed to the risk of being forced to deliver appreciated stock to close the position if the borrowed stock is called in by the lender. These transactions
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may also require the current recognition of taxable gain under certain tax rules applicable to constructive sales. The Fund expects normally to close its short sales against-the-box by delivering newly-acquired stock.
Lending Portfolio Securities. The Fund may lend up to one-third of the value of its total assets (including borrowings) or such other amount as is permitted under relevant law. The Fund may seek to earn income by lending portfolio securities to broker-dealers or other institutional borrowers. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the securities loaned if the borrower of the securities fails financially. In the judgment of the investment adviser the loans will be made only to organizations whose credit quality or claims paying ability is considered to be at least investment grade at the time a loan is made. The investment adviser will periodically monitor the financial condition of such organizations while any loans are outstanding. In addition, loans will only be made when the investment adviser believes the expected returns, net of administrative expenses and any finders fees, justify the attendant risk. Securities loans currently are required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents (such as money market instruments) or other liquid securities held by the custodian and maintained in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned.
R epurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements (the purchase of a security coupled with an agreement to resell at a higher price) with respect to its permitted investments. In the event of the bankruptcy of the other party to a repurchase agreement, the Fund might experience delays in recovering its cash. To the extent that, in the meantime, the value of the securities the Fund purchased may have decreased, the Fund could experience a loss. Repurchase agreements which mature in more than seven days will be treated as illiquid. The Funds repurchase agreements will provide that the value of the collateral underlying the repurchase agreement will always be at least equal to the repurchase price, including any accrued interest earned on the agreement, and will be marked to market daily.
Temporary Investments. The Fund may invest temporarily in cash or cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are highly liquid, short-term securities such as commercial paper, time deposits, certificates of deposit, short-term notes and short-term U.S. Government obligations.
Portfolio Turnover. The Fund cannot accurately predict its portfolio turnover rate, but it is anticipated that the annual turnover rate will generally be less than 100%. Securities transactions increase the Funds trading costs and recognition of taxable gain.
INVESTMENT
RESTRICTIONS
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The following investment restrictions of the Fund are designated as fundamental policies and as such cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Funds outstanding voting securities, which as used in this SAI means the lesser of (a) 67% of the shares of the Fund present or represented by proxy at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present or represented at the meeting or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Accordingly, the Fund may not:
(1) | Borrow money or issue senior securities except as permitted by the 1940 Act; |
(2) | Purchase securities on margin (but the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases and sales of securities). The deposit or payment by the Fund of initial, maintenance or variation margin in connection with all types of options and futures contract transactions is not considered the purchase of a security on margin; |
(3) | Engage in the underwriting of securities; |
(4) | Buy or sell real estate (although it may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate), commodities or commodity contracts for the purchase or sale of physical commodities; |
(5) | Make loans to other persons, except by (a) the acquisition of debt securities and making portfolio investments, (b) entering into repurchase agreements, (c) lending portfolio securities and (d) lending cash consistent with applicable law; |
(7) | Concentrate its investments in any particular industry, but, if deemed appropriate for the Fund's objective, up to (but less than) 25% of the value of its assets may be invested in securities of companies in any one industry. |
In connection with Restriction (1) above, the 1940 Act currently permits investment companies to borrow money so long as there is 300% asset coverage of the borrowing (i.e., borrowings do not exceed one-third of the investment companys total assets after subtracting liabilities other than the borrowings). There is no current intent to borrow money, except for the limited purposes described in the prospectus.
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Notwithstanding the investment policies and restrictions of the Fund, the Fund may invest its investable assets in another open-end management investment company (a portfolio) with substantially the same investment objective, policies and restrictions as the Fund; moreover, subject to Trustee approval the Fund may invest its investable assets in two or more open-end management investment companies which together have substantially the same investment objective, policies and restrictions as the Fund, to the extent permitted by Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act.
The following nonfundamental investment policies have been adopted by the Fund. A nonfundamental investment policy may be changed by the Trustees with respect to the Fund without approval by the Funds shareholders. The Fund will not:
Whenever an investment policy or investment restriction set forth in the prospectus or this SAI states a maximum percentage of assets that may be invested in any security or other asset, or describes a policy regarding quality standards, such percentage limitation or standard shall be determined immediately after and as a result of the acquisition by the Fund of such security or asset. Accordingly, any later increase or decrease resulting from a change in values, assets or other circumstances or any subsequent rating change made by a rating service (or as determined by the investment adviser if the security is not rated by a rating agency), will not compel the Fund to dispose of such security or other asset. However, the Fund must always be in compliance with the borrowing policy and limitation on investing in illiquid securities set forth above. If a sale of securities is required to comply with the 15% limit on illiquid securities, such sales will be made in an orderly manner with consideration of the best interests of shareholders.
Fund Management. The Trustees of the Trust are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the affairs of the Trust. The Trustees and officers of the Trust are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. Trustees and officers of the Trust hold indefinite terms of office. The noninterested Trustees consist of those Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is The Eaton Vance Building, 255 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109. As used in this SAI, EVC refers to Eaton Vance Corp., EV refers to Eaton Vance Inc. and EVD refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of Eaton Vance and BMR. EVD is the principal underwriter of the Fund (see Principal Underwriter under Other Service Providers). Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with Eaton Vance listed below.
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DUKE E. LAFLAMME
7/8/69 |
Vice President | Since 2001 |
Vice President of Eaton Vance and
BMR.
Officer of 11 registered investment
companies managed
by Eaton Vance or BMR. |
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THOMAS H. LUSTER
4/8/62 |
Vice President | Since 2002 |
Vice President of Eaton Vance and
BMR.
Officer of 16 registered investment
companies managed
by Eaton Vance or BMR. |
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GEORGE C. PIERIDES
12/26/57 |
Vice President | Since 2004 | Senior Managing Director of Fox. Officer of 12 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. | |||||
BARBARA E. CAMPBELL
6/19/57 |
Treasurer | Since 2005* |
Vice President of Eaton Vance and
BMR.
Officer of 161 registered investment
companies managed
by Eaton Vance or BMR. |
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ALAN R. DYNNER
10/10/40 |
Secretary | Since 1997 | Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer of BMR, Eaton Vance, EVD, EV and EVC. Officer of 161 registered investment companies managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. | |||||
PAUL M. ONEIL
7/11/53 |
Chief Compliance Officer | Since 2004 |
Vice President of Eaton Vance and
BMR.
Officer of 161 registered investment
companies managed
by Eaton Vance or BMR. |
*Prior to 2005, Ms. Campbell served as Assistant
Treasurer of the Trust since 1997.
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The Board of Trustees of the Trust have several standing Committees, including the Governance Committee, the Audit Committee and the Special Committee. The Governance, the Audit and the Special Committees are each comprised of only noninterested Trustees. The former Contract Review Subcommittee of the Special Committee was comprised of only noninterested Trustees.
Messrs. Hayes, Park, Pearlman, Reamer and Ms. Stout are members of the Governance Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Trust. Ms. Stout currently serves as chairperson of the Governance Committee. The purpose of the Governance Committee is to consider, evaluate and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees with respect to the structure, membership and operation of the Board of Trustees and the Committees thereof, including the nomination and selection of noninterested Trustees and a Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and the compensation of such persons. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, the Governance Committee convened five times.
The Governance Committee will, when a vacancy exists or is anticipated, consider any nominee for noninterested Trustee recommended by a shareholder if such recommendation is submitted in writing to the Governance Committee, contains sufficient background information concerning the candidate, including evidence the candidate is willing to serve as a noninterested Trustee if selected for the position, and is received in a sufficiently timely manner.
Messrs. Reamer (Chairman), Hayes, Park, Verni and Ms. Stout are members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The Board of Trustees has designated Messrs. Hayes, Park and Reamer, each a noninterested Trustee, as audit committee financial experts. The Audit Committees purposes are to (i) oversee the Funds accounting and financial reporting processes, its internal control over financial reporting, and, as appropriate, the internal control over financial reporting of certain service providers; (ii) oversee or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of the quality and integrity of the Funds financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (iii) oversee, or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of, the Funds compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to the Funds accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audits; (iv) approve prior to appointment the engagement and, when appropriate, replacement of the independent registered public accounting firm, and, if applicable, nominate the independent registered public accounting firm to be proposed for shareholder ratification in any proxy statement of a Fund; (v) evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm and the audit partner in charge of leading the audit; and (vi) prepare, as necessary, audit committee reports consistent with the requirements of Rule 306 of Regulation S-K for inclusion in the proxy statement of a Fund. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, the Audit Committee convened five times.
Messrs. Hayes (Chairman), Esty, Park, Pearlman and Reamer and Ms. Stout are currently members of the Special Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Trust. The purposes of the Special Committee are to consider, evaluate and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees concerning the following matters: (i) contractual arrangements with each
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service provider to the Fund, including advisory, sub-advisory, transfer agency, custodial and fund accounting, distribution services and administrative services; (ii) any and all other matters in which any service provider (including Eaton Vance or any affiliated entity thereof) has an actual or potential conflict of interest with the interests of the Fund or investors therein; and (iii) any other matter appropriate for review by the noninterested Trustees, unless the matter is within the responsibilities of the Audit Committee or the Governance Committee. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, the Special Committee convened five times.
Share Ownership. The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Fund and in all Eaton Vance Funds overseen by the Trustee as of December 31, 2005.
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity | ||||
Securities Owned in All Registered | ||||
Dollar Range of Equity Securities | Funds Overseen by Trustee in the | |||
Name of Trustee | Owned in the Fund** | Eaton Vance Fund Complex | ||
Interested Trustee | ||||
James B. Hawkes | None | over $100,000 | ||
Noninterested Trustees | ||||
Benjamin C. Esty | None | $50,001 - $100,000 | ||
Samuel L. Hayes, III | None | over $100,000 | ||
William H. Park | None | over $100,000 | ||
Ronald A. Pearlman | None | over $100,000 | ||
Norton H. Reamer | None | over $100,000 | ||
Lynn A. Stout | None | over $100,000* | ||
Ralph F. Verni | None | over $100,000* |
* Includes shares which may be deemed to be beneficially owned through the Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan.
** Trustees do not beneficially own shares of the
Fund since the Fund has not commenced
operations.
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As of December 31, 2005, no noninterested Trustee or any of their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any class of securities of EVC, EVD or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD.
During the calendar years ended December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005, no noninterested Trustee (or their immediate family members) had:
1. | Any direct or indirect interest in Eaton Vance, EVC, EVD or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD; |
2. | Any direct or indirect material interest in any transaction or series of similar transactions with (i) the Trust or any Fund; (ii) another fund managed by EVC, distributed by EVD or a person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD; (iii) EVC or EVD; (iv) a person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD; or (v) an officer of any of the above; or |
3. | Any direct or indirect relationship with (i) the Trust or any Fund; (ii) another fund managed by EVC, distributed by EVD or a person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD; (iii) EVC or EVD; (iv) a person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD; or (v) an officer of any of the above. |
During the calendar years ended December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005, no officer of EVC, EVD or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD served on the Board of Directors of a company where a noninterested Trustee of the Trust or any of their immediate family members served as an officer.
Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with the investment adviser may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of a Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan (the Trustees Plan). Under the Trustees Plan, an eligible Trustee may elect to have his or her deferred fees invested by the Fund in the shares of one or more funds in the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, and the amount paid to the Trustees under the Trustees Plan will be determined based upon the performance of such investments. Deferral of Trustees fees in accordance with the Trustees Plan will have a negligible effect on the Funds assets, liabilities, and net income per share, and will not obligate the Fund
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to retain the services of any Trustee or obligate the Fund to pay any particular level of compensation to the Trustee. Neither the Trust nor the Fund has a retirement plan for Trustees.
The fees and expenses of the Trustees of the Trust are paid by the Fund (and other series of the Trust). (A Trustee of the Trust who is a member of the Eaton Vance organization receives no compensation from the Trust). During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2005, the Trustees of the Trust earned the following compensation in their capacities as Trustees from the Trust. For the year ended December 31, 2005, the Trustees earned the following compensation in their capacities as Trustees of the funds in the Eaton Vance fund complex (1) :
Source of | Benjamin C. | Samuel L. | William H. | Ronald A. | Norton H. | Lynn A. | Ralph F. | |||||||||||||||||
Compensation | Esty | Hayes | Park | Pearlman | Reamer | Stout | Verni | |||||||||||||||||
Trust (2) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
Trust and Fund Complex | (3) | (4) | (5) |
(1) | As of April 1, 2006, the Eaton Vance fund complex consists of 161 registered investment companies or series thereof. Messrs. Esty and Verni were elected as Trustees on April 29, 2005, and thus the compensation figures listed for the Trust and Fund Complex reflect amounts they would have received if they had been Trustees for the full calendar year. |
(2) | The Trust consisted of 23 Funds as of October 31, 2005. |
(3) | Includes $ of deferred compensation. |
(4) | Includes $ of deferred compensation. |
(5) | Includes $ of deferred compensation. |
The Fund is a series of the Trust, which was established under Massachusetts law on March 27, 1989 and is operated as an open-end management investment company. The Trust may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest (no par value per share) in one or more series (such as the Fund). The Trustees have the authority under the Declaration of Trust to create additional classes of shares with differing rights and privileges. When issued and outstanding, shares are fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust. Shareholders are entitled to one vote for each full share held. Fractional shares may be voted proportionately. Shares of the Fund will be voted together. Shares have no preemptive or conversion rights and are freely transferable. In the event of the liquidation of the Fund, shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets attributable to that class available for distribution to shareholders.
As permitted by Massachusetts law, there will normally be no meetings of shareholders for the purpose of electing Trustees unless and until such time as less than a majority of the Trustees of the Trust holding office have been elected by shareholders. In such an event the Trustees then in office will call a shareholders meeting for the election of Trustees. Except for the foregoing circumstances and unless removed by action of the shareholders in accordance with the Trusts By-laws, the Trustees shall continue to hold office and may appoint successor Trustees. The Trusts By-laws provide that no person shall serve as a Trustee if shareholders holding two-thirds of the outstanding shares have removed him or her from that office either by a written declaration filed with the Trusts custodian or by votes cast at a meeting called for that purpose. The By-laws further provide that under certain circumstances the shareholders may call a meeting to remove a Trustee and that the Trust is required to provide assistance in communication with shareholders about such a meeting.
The Trusts Declaration of Trust may be amended by the Trustees when authorized by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, the financial interests of which are affected by the amendment. The Trustees may also amend the Declaration of Trust without the vote or consent of shareholders to change the name of the Trust or any series or to make such other changes (such as reclassifying series or classes of shares or restructuring the Trust) as do not have a materially adverse effect on the financial interests of shareholders or if they deem it necessary to conform it to applicable federal or state laws or regulations. The Trusts By-laws provide that the Trust will indemnify its Trustees and officers against liabilities and expenses incurred in connection with any litigation or proceeding in which they may be involved because of their offices with the Trust. However, no indemnification will be provided to any Trustee or officer for any liability to the Trust or shareholders by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.
The Trust or any series or class thereof may be terminated by: (1) the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders of the Trust or the appropriate series or class thereof, or by an instrument or instruments in writing without a meeting, consented to by the holders of two-thirds of the shares of the Trust or a series or class thereof, provided, however, that, if such termination is recommended by the Trustees, the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or a series or class thereof entitled to vote thereon shall be sufficient authorization; or (2) by means of an instrument in writing signed by a majority of the Trustees, to be followed by a written notice to shareholders stating that a majority of the Trustees has determined that the continuation of the Trust or a series or a class thereof is not in the best interest of the Trust, such series or class or of their respective shareholders.
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Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. Numerous investment companies registered under the 1940 Act have been formed as Massachusetts business trusts, and management is not aware of an instance where such liability has been imposed. The Trusts Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the Trusts By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. The Declaration of Trust also contains provisions limiting the liability of a series or class to that series or class. Moreover, the Trusts By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. The assets of the Fund are readily marketable and will ordinarily substantially exceed its liabilities. In light of the nature of the Funds business and the nature of its assets, management believes that the possibility of the Funds liability exceeding its assets, and therefore the shareholders risk of personal liability, is remote.
Proxy Voting Policy. The Board of Trustees of the Trust has adopted a proxy voting policy and procedure (the Fund Policy), pursuant to which the Trustees have delegated proxy voting responsibility to the investment adviser and adopted the proxy voting policies and procedures of the investment adviser (the Policies). The Trustees will review the Funds proxy voting records from time to time and will annually consider approving the Policies for the upcoming year. For a copy of the Fund Policy and investment adviser Policies, see Appendix B and C, respectively. Information on how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122, and (2) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Investment Advisory Services. The investment adviser manages the investments and affairs of the Fund and provides related office facilities and personnel subject to the supervision of the Trusts Board of Trustees. The investment adviser furnishes investment research, advice and supervision, furnishes an investment program and determines what securities will be purchased, held or sold by the Fund and what portion, if any, of the Funds assets will be held uninvested. The Investment Advisory Agreement requires the investment adviser to pay the salaries and fees of all officers and Trustees of the Trust who are members of the investment advisers organization and all personnel of the investment adviser performing services relating to research and investment activities.
For a description of the compensation that the Fund pays the investment adviser, see the prospectus.
The Investment Advisory Agreement with the investment adviser continues in effect from year to year so long as such continuance is approved at least annually (i) by the vote of a majority of the noninterested Trustees of the Trust cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and (ii) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Agreement may be terminated at any time without penalty on sixty (60) days written notice by the Board of Trustees of either party, or by vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and the Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment. The Agreement provides that the investment adviser may render services to others. The Agreement also provides that the investment adviser shall not be liable for any loss incurred in connection with the performance of its duties, or action taken or omitted under the Agreement, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder, or for any losses sustained in the acquisition, holding or disposition of any security or other investment.
Portfolio Manager. The portfolio manager of the Fund is J. Scott Craig. The portfolio manager does not manage other investment companies and/or investment accounts in addition to the Fund. Mr. Craig does not beneficially own shares of the Fund since the fund has not commenced operations.
Compensation Structure . Compensation of the investment advisers portfolio managers and other investment professionals has three primary components: (1) a base salary, (2) an annual cash bonus, and (3) annual stock-based compensation consisting of options to purchase shares of EVCs nonvoting common stock and/or restricted shares of EVCs nonvoting common stock. The investment advisers investment professionals also receive certain retirement, insurance and other benefits that are broadly available to all the investment advisers employees. Compensation of the investment advisers investment professionals is reviewed primarily on an annual basis. Cash bonuses, stock-based compensation awards, and adjustments in base salary are typically paid or put into effect at or shortly after the October 31st fiscal year end of EVC.
Method to Determine Compensation . The investment adviser compensates its portfolio managers based primarily on the scale and complexity of their portfolio responsibilities and the total return performance of managed funds and accounts versus appropriate peer groups or benchmarks. Performance is normally based on periods ending on the September 30th preceding fiscal year end. Fund performance is evaluated primarily versus peer groups of funds as determined by Lipper Inc. and/or Morningstar, Inc. In evaluating the performance of a fund and its manager, primary emphasis is normally
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placed on three-year performance, with secondary consideration of performance over longer and shorter periods. For funds that are tax-managed or otherwise have an objective of after-tax returns, performance is measured net of taxes. For other funds, performance is evaluated on a pre-tax basis. In addition to rankings within peer groups of funds on the basis of absolute performance, consideration may also be given to risk-adjusted performance. For funds with an investment objective other than total return (such as current income), consideration will also be given to the funds success in achieving its objective. For managers responsible for multiple funds and accounts, investment performance is evaluated on an aggregate basis, based on averages or weighted averages among managed funds and accounts. Funds and accounts that have performance-based advisory fees are not accorded disproportionate weightings in measuring aggregate portfolio manager performance.
The compensation of portfolio managers with other job responsibilities (such as heading an investment group or providing analytical support to other portfolios) will include consideration of the scope of such responsibilities and the managers performance in meeting them.
The investment adviser seeks to compensate portfolio managers commensurate with their responsibilities and performance, and competitive with other firms within the investment management industry. The investment adviser participates in investment-industry compensation surveys and utilizes survey data as a factor in determining salary, bonus and stock-based compensation levels for portfolio managers and other investment professionals. Salaries, bonuses and stock-based compensation are also influenced by the operating performance of the investment adviser and its parent company. The overall annual cash bonus pool is based on a substantially fixed percentage of pre-bonus operating income. While the salaries of the investment advisers portfolio managers are comparatively fixed, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may fluctuate significantly from year to year, based on changes in manager performance and other factors as described herein. For a high performing portfolio manager, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may represent a substantial portion of total compensation.
Administrative Services. As indicated in the prospectus, Eaton Vance serves as administrator of the Fund, and the Fund is authorized to pay Eaton Vance a fee in the amount of 0.15% of average daily net assets for providing administrative services to the Fund. Under its Administrative Services Agreement, Eaton Vance has been engaged to administer the Funds affairs, subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust, and shall furnish office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel for administering the affairs of the Fund.
Sub-Transfer Agency Services. Eaton Vance also serves as sub-transfer agent for the Fund. As sub-transfer agent, Eaton Vance performs the following services directly on behalf of the Fund: 1) provides call center services to financial intermediaries and shareholders; 2) answers written inquiries related to shareholder accounts (matters relating to portfolio management, distribution of shares and other management policy questions will be referred to the Fund); 3) furnishes an SAI to any shareholder who requests one in writing or by telephone from the Fund; and 4) processes transaction requests received via telephone. For the transfer agency services it provides, Eaton Vance receives an aggregate annual fee equal to the lesser of $2.5 million or the actual expenses incurred by Eaton Vance in the performance of those services. This fee is paid to Eaton Vance by the Funds transfer agent from fees it receives from the Eaton Vance funds. The Fund will pay a pro rata share of such fee.
Information About Eaton Vance. Eaton Vance is a business trust organized under Massachusetts law. Eaton Vance, Inc. (EV) serves as trustee of Eaton Vance. EV and Eaton Vance are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Eaton Vance Corporation (EVC), a Maryland corporation and publicly-held holding company. BMR is an indirect subsidiary of EVC. EVC through its subsidiaries and affiliates engages primarily in investment management, administration and marketing activities. The Directors of EVC are James B. Hawkes, Thomas E. Faust Jr., Ann E. Berman, John G.L. Cabot, Leo I. Higdon, Jr., Vincent M. OReilly and Winthrop H. Smith, Jr. All shares of the outstanding Voting Common Stock of EVC are deposited in a Voting Trust, the Voting Trustees of which are Messrs. Hawkes, Faust, Jeffrey P. Beale, Cynthia J. Clemson, Alan R. Dynner, Michael R. Mach, Robert B. MacIntosh, Thomas M. Metzold, Scott H. Page, Duncan W. Richardson, G. Westy Saltonstall, Judith A. Saryan, William M. Steul, Payson F. Swaffield, Michael W. Weilheimer, and Wharton P. Whitaker (all of whom are officers of Eaton Vance). The Voting Trustees have unrestricted voting rights for the election of Directors of EVC. All of the outstanding voting trust receipts issued under said Voting Trust are owned by certain of the officers of Eaton Vance who are also officers, or officers and Directors of EVC and EV. As indicated under Management and Organization, all of the officers of the Trust (as well as Mr. Hawkes who is also a Trustee) hold positions in the Eaton Vance organization.
Code of Ethics. The investment adviser, principal underwriter, and the Fund have adopted Codes of Ethics governing personal securities transactions. Under the Codes, Eaton Vance employees may purchase and sell securities (including securities held or eligible for purchase by the Fund) subject to the provisions of the Codes and certain employees are also subject to pre-clearance, reporting requirements and other procedures.
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Expenses. The Fund is responsible for all expenses not expressly stated to be payable by another party (such as expenses required to be paid pursuant to an agreement with the investment adviser, the principal underwriter or the administrator). In the case of expenses incurred by the Trust, the Fund is responsible for its pro rata share of those expenses.
OTHER SERVICE
PROVIDERS
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Principal Underwriter. Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD), The Eaton Vance Building, 255 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02109, is the principal underwriter of the Fund. The principal underwriter acts as principal in selling shares under a Distribution Agreement with the Trust. The expenses of printing copies of prospectuses used to offer shares and other selling literature and of advertising are borne by the principal underwriter. The fees and expenses of qualifying and registering and maintaining qualifications and registrations of the Fund and its shares under federal and state securities laws are borne by the Fund. The Distribution Agreement as it applies to Fund shares is renewable annually by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (including a majority of the noninterested Trustees), may be terminated on six months notice by either party and is automatically terminated upon assignment. The principal underwriter distributes shares on a best efforts basis under which it is required to take and pay for only such shares as may be sold. The Trust has authorized the principal underwriter to act as its agent in repurchasing shares at a rate of $2.50 for each repurchase transaction handled by the principal underwriter. EVD is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC. Mr. Hawkes is a Vice President and Director and Mr. Dynner is a Vice President, Secretary and Clerk of EVD.
Custodian. Investors Bank & Trust Company (IBT), 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116, serves as custodian to the Fund. IBT has custody of all cash and securities of the Fund, maintains the general ledger of the Fund and computes the daily net asset value of shares of the Fund. In such capacity it attends to details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, transfer or other dealings with the Funds investments, receives and disburses all funds and performs various other ministerial duties upon receipt of proper instructions from the Trust. IBT provides services in connection with the preparation of shareholder reports and the electronic filing of such reports with the SEC. EVC and its affiliates and their officers and employees from time to time have transactions with various banks, including IBT. It is Eaton Vances opinion that the terms and conditions of such transactions were not and will not be influenced by existing or potential custodial or other relationships between the Fund and such banks.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. , is the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund, providing audit services, tax return preparation, and assistance and consultation with respect to the preparation of filings with the SEC.
Transfer Agent. PFPC Inc., P.O. Box 9653, Providence, RI 02940-9653, serves as transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund.
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET
VALUE
The net asset value of the Fund is computed by IBT (as agent and custodian for the Fund) by subtracting the liabilities of the Fund from the value of its total assets. The Fund will be closed for business and will not price its shares on the following business holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The Trustees of the Fund have established the following procedures for the fair valuation of the Funds assets under normal market conditions. Securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices therefore on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ National Market System generally are valued at the official NASDAQ closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and asked prices or, in the case of preferred equity securities that are not traded in the over-the-counter market, by an independent pricing service or, in the case of preferred equity securities that are not listed or traded in the over-the-counter market, by an independent pricing service. Exchange-traded options are valued at the last sale price for the day of valuation as quoted on the principal exchange or board of trade on which the options are traded or, in the absence of sales on such date, at the mean between the latest bid and asked prices therefore. Futures positions on securities and currencies generally are valued at closing settlement prices. Short-term debt securities with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost. If short-term debt securities were acquired with a remaining maturity of more than 60 days, their amortized cost value will be based on their value on the sixty-first day prior to maturity. Other fixed income and debt securities, including listed securities and securities for which price quotations are available, will normally be valued on the basis of valuations furnished by a pricing service.
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Foreign securities and currencies held by the Fund are valued in U.S. dollars, as calculated by the custodian based on foreign currency exchange quotations supplied by an independent quotation service. The daily valuation of exchange-traded foreign securities generally is determined as of the close of trading on the principal exchange on which such securities trade. As described in the prospectus, valuations of foreign securities may be adjusted from prices in effect at the close of trading on foreign exchanges to more accurately reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE. In adjusting the value of foreign equity securities, the Fund may rely on an independent fair valuation service. Investments held by the Fund for which valuations or market quotations are unavailable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Fund considering relevant factors, data and information including the market value of freely tradable securities of the same class in the principal market on which such securities are normally traded.
PURCHASING AND REDEEMING SHARES
Additional Information About Purchases. Fund shares are offered for sale only in states where they are registered. Fund shares are continuously offered through investment dealers which have entered agreements with the principal underwriter. The public offering price is the net asset value next computed after receipt of the order.
In connection with employee benefit or other continuous group purchase plans, the Fund may accept initial investments of less than $1,000 on the part of an individual participant. In the event a shareholder who is a participant of such a plan terminates participation in the plan, his or her shares will be transferred to a regular individual account. However, such account will be subject to the right of redemption by the Fund as described below. The minimum initial investment amount is also waived for officers and employees of the Fund custodian and transfer agent.
Suspension of Sales. The Trust may, in its absolute discretion, suspend, discontinue or limit the offering of one or more of its classes of shares at any time. In determining whether any such action should be taken, the Trusts management intends to consider all relevant factors, including (without limitation) the size of the Fund or class, the investment climate and market conditions, the volume of sales and redemptions of shares. Suspension of the offering of shares would not, of course, affect a shareholders ability to redeem shares.
Additional Information About Redemptions. The right to redeem shares of the Fund can be suspended and the payment of the redemption price deferred when the Exchange is closed (other than for customary weekend and holiday closings), during periods when trading on the Exchange is restricted as determined by the SEC, or during any emergency as determined by the SEC which makes it impracticable for the Fund to dispose of its securities or value its assets, or during any other period permitted by order of the SEC for the protection of investors.
Due to the high cost of maintaining small accounts, the Trust reserves the right to redeem accounts with balances of less than $250,000. Prior to such a redemption, shareholders will be given 60 days written notice to make an additional purchase. However, no such redemption would be required by the Trust if the cause of the low account balance was a reduction in the net asset value of shares.
While normally payments will be made in cash for redeemed shares, the Trust, subject to compliance with applicable regulations, has reserved the right to pay the redemption price of shares of the Fund, either totally or partially, by a distribution in kind of readily marketable securities. The securities so distributed would be valued pursuant to the valuation procedures described in this SAI. If a shareholder received a distribution in kind, the shareholder could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan. The transfer agent will send to the shareholder regular monthly or quarterly payments of any permitted amount designated by the shareholder based upon the value of the shares held. The checks will be drawn from share redemptions and hence, may require the recognition of taxable gain or loss. Income dividends and capital gains distributions in connection with withdrawal plan accounts will be credited at net asset value as of the record date for each distribution. Continued withdrawals in excess of current income will eventually use up principal, particularly in a period of declining market prices. A shareholder may not have a withdrawal plan in effect at the same time he or she has authorized Bank Automated Investing or is otherwise making regular purchases of Fund shares. The shareholder, the transfer agent or the principal underwriter may terminate the withdrawal plan at any time without penalty.
Dealer Commissions. The principal underwriter may, from time to time, at its own expense, provide additional incentives to investment dealers which employ registered representatives who sell Fund shares and/or shares of other funds distributed by the principal underwriter. In some instances, such additional incentives may be offered only to certain investment dealers whose representatives sell or are expected to sell significant amounts of shares. In addition, the principal underwriter may from time to time increase or decrease the sales commissions payable to investment dealers. The principal underwriter may allow, upon notice to all investment dealers with whom it has agreements, discounts up to the
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full sales charge during the periods specified in the notice. During periods when the discount includes the full sales charge, such investment dealers may be deemed to be underwriters as that term is defined in the Securities Act of 1933.
Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans. Fund shares are available for purchase in connection with certain tax-deferred retirement plans. Detailed information concerning these plans, including certain exceptions to minimum investment requirements, and copies of the plans are available from the principal underwriter. This information should be read carefully and consulting with an attorney or tax adviser may be advisable. The information sets forth the service fee charged for retirement plans and describes the federal income tax consequences of establishing a plan. Participant accounting services (including trust fund reconciliation services) will be offered only through third party recordkeepers and not by the principal underwriter. Under all plans, dividends and distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares.
Performance Calculations. Average annual total return before deduction of taxes (pre-tax return) is determined by multiplying a hypothetical initial purchase order of $1,000 by the average annual compound rate of return (including capital appreciation/depreciation, and distributions paid and reinvested) for the stated period and annualizing the result. The calculation assumes (i) that all distributions are reinvested at net asset value on the reinvestment dates during the period, (ii) the deduction of the maximum of any initial sales charge from the initial $1,000 purchase, (iii) a complete redemption of the investment at the end of the period, and (iv) the deduction of any applicable CDSC at the end of the period.
Average annual total return after the deduction of taxes on distributions is calculated in the same manner as pre-tax return except the calculation assumes that any federal income taxes due on distributions are deducted from the distributions before they are reinvested. Average annual total return after the deduction of taxes on distributions and taxes on redemption also is calculated in the same manner as pre-tax return except the calculation assumes that (i) any federal income taxes due on distributions are deducted from the distributions before they are reinvested and (ii) any federal income taxes due upon redemption are deducted at the end of the period. After-tax returns are based on the highest federal income tax rates in effect for individual taxpayers as of the time of each assumed distribution and redemption (taking into account their tax character), and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In calculating after-tax returns, t he net value of any federal income tax credits available to shareholders is applied to reduce federal income taxes payable on distributions at or near year-end and, to the extent the net value of such credits exceeds such distributions, is then assumed to be reinvested in additional Fund shares at net asset value on the last day of the fiscal year in which the credit was generated or, in the case of certain tax credits, on the date on which the year-end distribution is paid. For pre-tax and after-tax total return information, see Appendix A.
In addition to the foregoing total return figures, the Fund may provide pre-tax and after-tax annual and cumulative total return, as well as the ending redeemable cash value of a hypothetical investment. If shares are subject to a sales charge, total return figures may be calculated based on reduced sales charges or at net asset value. These returns would be lower if the full sales charge was imposed. After-tax returns may also be calculated using different tax rate assumptions and taking into account state and local income taxes as well as federal taxes.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings and Related Information. The Board of Trustees has adopted policies and procedures (the Policies) with respect to the disclosure of information about portfolio holdings of the Fund. Pursuant to the Policies, information about portfolio holdings of the Fund may not be disclosed to any party except as follows:
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The Fund, the investment adviser and principal underwriter will not receive any monetary or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of information concerning the Funds portfolio holdings.
The Policies may not be waived, or exception made, without the consent of the Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) of the Fund. The CCO may not waive or make exception to the Policies unless such waiver or exception is consistent with the intent of the Policies, which is to ensure that disclosure of portfolio information is in the best interest of Fund shareholders. In determining whether to permit a waiver of or exception to the Policies, the CCO will consider whether the proposed disclosure serves a legitimate purpose of the Fund, whether it could provide the recipient with an advantage over Fund shareholders or whether the proposed disclosure gives rise to a conflict of interest between the Funds shareholders and its investment adviser, principal underwriter or other affiliated person. The CCO will report all waivers of or exceptions to the Policies to the Trustees at their next meeting. The Trustees may impose additional restrictions on the disclosure of portfolio holdings information at any time.
The Policies are designed to provide useful information concerning the Fund to existing and prospective Fund shareholders while at the same time inhibiting the improper use of portfolio holdings information in trading Fund shares and/or portfolio securities held by the Fund. However, there can be no assurance that the provision of any portfolio holdings information is not susceptible to inappropriate uses (such as the development of market timing models), particularly in the hands of highly sophisticated investors, or that it will not in fact be used in such ways beyond the control of the Fund.
TAXES
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Each series of the Trust is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. The Fund has elected to be treated and intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company (RIC) under Subchapter M of the Code. Accordingly, the Fund intends to satisfy certain requirements relating to sources of its income and diversification of its assets and to distribute substantially all of its net income and net short-term and long-term capital gains (after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards) in accordance with the timing requirements imposed by the Code, so as to maintain its RIC status and to avoid paying any federal income or excise tax. If the Fund qualifies for treatment as a RIC and satisfies the above-mentioned distribution requirements, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income paid to its shareholders in the form of dividends or capital gain distributions. The Fund intends to qualify as a RIC for its fiscal year ending December 31, 2006.
In order to avoid incurring a federal excise tax obligation, the Code requires that the Fund distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year (i) at least 98% of its ordinary income for such year, (ii) at least 98% of its capital gain net income (which is the excess of its realized capital gains over its realized capital losses), generally computed on the basis of the one-year period ending on October 31 of such year, after reduction by any available capital loss carryforwards and (iii) 100% of any income and capital gains from the prior year (as previously computed) that was not paid out during such year and on which the Fund paid no federal income tax. Under current law, provided that the Fund qualifies as a RIC for Massachusetts and federal tax purposes, the Fund should not be liable for any income, corporate excise or franchise tax in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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If the Fund does not qualify as a RIC for any taxable year, the Funds taxable income will be subject to corporate income taxes, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including distributions of net capital gain (if any), will be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income. In addition, in order to requalify for taxation as a RIC, the Fund may be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions.
The Funds investments in options, futures contracts, hedging transactions, forward contracts (to the extent permitted) and certain other transactions will be subject to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale, short sale and other rules), the effect of which may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer Fund losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of Fund securities, convert capital gain into ordinary income and convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to investors.
Transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt securities and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts, forward contracts and similar instruments (to the extent permitted) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned.
Investments in passive foreign investment companies could subject the Fund to U.S. federal income tax or other charges on certain distributions from such companies and on disposition of investments in such companies; however, the tax effects of such investments may be mitigated by making an election to mark such investments to market annually or treat the passive foreign investment company as a qualified electing fund.
The Fund may be subject to foreign withholding or other foreign taxes with respect to income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains) on certain foreign securities. These taxes may be reduced or eliminated under the terms of an applicable U.S. income tax treaty. As it is not expected that more than 50% of the value of the total assets of the Fund will consist of securities issued by foreign corporations, the Fund will not be eligible to pass through to shareholders its proportionate share of any foreign taxes paid by the Portfolio and allocated to the Fund, with the result that shareholders will not include in income, and will not be entitled to take any foreign tax credits or deductions for, such foreign taxes.
For taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2008, distributions of investment income derived from certain dividend-paying stocks designated by the Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individual shareholders at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund level.
A portion of distributions made by the Fund which are derived from dividends from domestic corporations may qualify for the dividends-received deduction (DRD) for corporations. The DRD is reduced to the extent the Fund shares with respect to which the dividends are received are treated as debt-financed under the Code and is eliminated if the shares are deemed to have been held for less than a minimum period, generally more than 45 days during the 90-day period surrounding the ex-dividend date. Receipt of certain distributions qualifying for the DRD may result in reduction of the tax basis of the corporate shareholders shares. Distributions eligible for the DRD may give rise to or increase an alternative minimum tax for certain corporations.
Any loss realized upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares with a tax holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distributions treated as long-term capital gain with respect to such shares. In addition, all or a portion of a loss realized on a redemption or other disposition of Fund shares may be disallowed under wash sale rules to the extent the shareholder acquired other shares of the same Fund (whether through the reinvestment of distributions or otherwise) within the period beginning 30 days before the redemption of the loss shares and ending 30 days after such date. Any disallowed loss will result in an adjustment to the shareholders tax basis in some or all of the other shares acquired.
Dividends and distributions on the Funds shares are generally subject to federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Funds realized income and gains, even though such dividends and distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholders investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when the Funds net asset value reflects gains that are either unrealized, or realized but not distributed. Such realized gains may be required to be distributed even when the Funds net asset value also reflects unrealized losses. Certain distributions declared in October, November or December and paid in the following January will be taxed to shareholders as if received on December 31 of the year in which they were declared.
In general, dividends (other than capital gain dividends) paid to a shareholder that is not a U.S. person within the meaning of the Code (a foreign person), are subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate). Before January 1, 2008, the Fund generally will not be required to withhold any amounts with respect to distributions of (i) U.S.-source interest income that would not be subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned
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directly by an individual foreign person, and (ii) net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, in each case to the extent such distributions are properly designated by the Fund.
Recent legislation modifies the tax treatment of distributions from the Fund that are paid to a foreign person and are attributable to gain from U.S. real property interests (USRPIs), which the Code defines to include direct holdings of U.S. real property and interests (other than solely as a creditor) in U.S. real property holding corporations such as REITs. Distributions to foreign persons that are paid on or before December 31, 2007 and are attributable to gains from the sale or exchange of USRPIs will give rise to an obligation for those foreign persons to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax, and may well be subject to withholding under future regulations. It is not expected that a significant portion of the Funds distributions will be attributable to gains from the sale or exchange of USRPIs.
Amounts paid by the Fund to individuals and certain other shareholders who have not provided the Fund with their correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) and certain certifications required by the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) as well as shareholders with respect to whom the Fund has received certain information from the IRS or a broker, may be subject to backup withholding of federal income tax arising from the Funds taxable dividends and other distributions as well as the proceeds of redemption transactions (including repurchases and exchanges), at a rate of 28% for amounts paid through 2010. The backup withholding rate will be 31% for amounts paid thereafter. An individuals TIN is generally his or her social security number.
Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder realizes a loss on disposition of a Funds shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the Internal Revenue Service a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs.
The foregoing discussion does not address the special tax rules applicable to certain classes of investors, such as IRAs and other retirement plans, tax-exempt entities, foreign investors, insurance companies and financial institutions. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers with respect to special tax rules that may apply in their particular situations, as well as the state, local, and, where applicable, foreign tax consequences of investing in the Fund.
PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
TRANSACTIONS
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Decisions concerning the execution of portfolio security transactions, including the selection of the market and the executing firm, are made by Eaton Vance, the Funds investment adviser. The Fund is responsible for the expenses associated with portfolio transactions. The investment adviser is also responsible for the execution of transactions for all other accounts managed by it. The investment adviser places the portfolio security transactions for execution with many firms. The investment adviser uses its best efforts to obtain execution of portfolio security transactions at prices which are advantageous and at reasonably competitive spreads or (when a disclosed commission is being charged) at reasonably competitive commission rates. In seeking such execution, the investment adviser will use its best judgment in evaluating the terms of a transaction, and will give consideration to various relevant factors, including without limitation the full range and quality of the executing firms services including the responsiveness of the firm to the investment adviser, the size and type of the transaction, the nature and character of the market for the security, the confidentiality, speed and certainty of effective execution required for the transaction, the general execution and operational capabilities of the executing firm, the reputation, reliability, experience and financial condition of the firm, the value and quality of the services rendered by the firm in other transactions, and the reasonableness of the spread or commission, if any. In addition, the investment adviser may consider the receipt of Proprietary Research Services (as defined below), provided it does not compromise the investment advisers obligation to seek best overall execution for the Fund. The investment adviser may engage in portfolio brokerage transactions with a broker-dealer firm that sells shares of Eaton Vance funds, provided such transactions are not directed to that firm as compensation for the promotion or sale of such shares.
Transactions on stock exchanges and other agency transactions involve the payment of negotiated brokerage commissions. Such commissions vary among different broker-dealer firms, and a particular broker-dealer may charge different commissions according to such factors as the difficulty and size of the transaction and the volume of business done with such broker-dealer. Transactions in foreign securities often involve the payment of brokerage commissions, which may be higher than those in the United States. There is generally no stated commission in the case of securities traded in the over-the-counter markets, but the price paid or received usually includes an undisclosed dealer markup or markdown. In an underwritten offering the price paid often includes a disclosed fixed commission or discount retained by the underwriter or dealer. Although spreads or commissions paid on portfolio security transactions will, in the judgment of the investment adviser, be reasonable in relation to the value of the services provided, commissions exceeding those which another firm
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might charge may be paid to broker-dealers who were selected to execute transactions on behalf of the investment advisers clients in part for providing brokerage and research services to the investment adviser.
As authorized in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, a broker or dealer who executes a portfolio transaction may receive a commission that is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the investment adviser determines in good faith that such compensation was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. This determination may be made either on the basis of that particular transaction or on the basis of overall responsibilities which the investment adviser and its affiliates have for accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. Brokerage and research services may include advice as to the value of securities, the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities, and the availability of securities or purchasers or sellers of securities; furnishing analyses and reports concerning issuers, industries, securities, economic factors and trends, portfolio strategy and the performance of accounts; effecting securities transactions and performing functions incidental thereto (such as clearance and settlement); and the Research Services referred to in the next paragraph.
It is a common practice of the investment advisory industry and of the advisers of investment companies, institutions and other investors to receive research, analytical, statistical and quotation services, data, information and other services, products and materials which assist such advisers in the performance of their investment responsibilities (Research Services) from broker-dealer firms that execute portfolio transactions for the clients of such advisers and from affiliates of executing broker-dealers. Investment advisers also commonly receive Research Services from research providers that are not affiliated with an executing broker-dealer, but which have entered into payment arrangements involving an executing broker-dealer (Third Party Research Services). Under a typical Third Party Research Services payment arrangement, the research provider agrees to provide services to an investment adviser in exchange for specified payments to the research provider by a broker-dealer that executes portfolio transactions for clients of the investment adviser. The investment adviser and the executing broker-dealer enter into a related agreement specifying the amount of brokerage business the investment adviser will direct to the executing broker-dealer to offset payments made by the executing broker-dealer for Third Party Research Services received by the investment adviser. For example, an investment adviser may agree to direct brokerage business generating $45,000 in commissions on portfolio transactions to a broker-dealer firm as consideration for the executing broker-dealer making payments of $30,000 to a provider of Third Party Research Services. The ratio of the commissions to be paid to an executing broker-dealer as consideration for Third Party Research Services over the cost borne by the executing broker-dealer in connection with providing such services to the investment adviser is referred to herein as the Third Party Research Services Payment Ratio.
Consistent with the foregoing practices, the investment adviser receives Research Services from many broker-dealer firms with which the investment adviser places transactions and may receive them from third parties with which these broker-dealers have arrangements. The Fund and the investment adviser may also receive Research Services from underwriters and dealers in fixed-price offerings, which Research Services are reviewed and evaluated by the investment adviser in connection with its investment responsibilities.
Research Services received by the investment adviser include such matters as general economic, political, business and market information, industry and company reviews, evaluations of securities and portfolio strategies and transactions, proxy voting data and analysis services, technical analysis of various aspects of the securities markets, recommendations as to the purchase and sale of securities and other portfolio transactions, financial, industry and trade publications, news and information services, pricing and quotation equipment and services, and research oriented computer hardware, software, data bases and services. Any particular Research Service obtained through a broker-dealer may be used by the investment adviser in connection with client accounts other than those accounts which pay commissions to such broker-dealer. Any such Research Service may be broadly useful and of value to the investment adviser in rendering investment advisory services to all or a significant portion of its clients, or may be relevant and useful for the management of only one clients account or of a few clients accounts, or may be useful for the management of merely a segment of certain clients accounts, regardless of whether any such account or accounts paid commissions to the broker-dealer through which such Research Service was obtained. The investment adviser evaluates the nature and quality of the various Research Services obtained through broker-dealer firms and may attempt to allocate sufficient portfolio security transactions to such firms to ensure the continued receipt of Research Services which the investment adviser believes are useful or of value to it in rendering investment advisory services to its clients.
In the event that the investment adviser executes Fund securities transactions with a broker-dealer on or after May 1, 2004 and the associated commission is consideration for Third Party Research Services (as described above), the investment adviser has agreed to reduce the advisory fee payable by the Fund by an amount equal to the commission payment
18
associated with the transaction divided by the applicable Third Party Research Services Payment Ratio. However, the investment adviser generally does not expect to acquire Third Party Research with Fund brokerage commissions.
Some executing broker-dealers develop and make available directly to their brokerage customers proprietary Research Services (Proprietary Research Services). As a general matter, broker-dealers bundle the cost of Proprietary Research Services with trade execution services rather than charging separately for each. In such circumstances, the cost or other value of the Proprietary Research Services cannot be determined. The advisory fee paid by the Fund will not be reduced in connection with the receipt of Proprietary Research Services by the investment adviser.
The investment companies sponsored by the investment adviser or its affiliates may allocate brokerage commissions to acquire information relating to the performance, fees and expenses of such companies and other mutual funds, which information is used by the Trustees of such companies to fulfill their responsibility to oversee the quality of the services provided by various entities, including the investment adviser, to such companies. Such companies may also pay cash for such information.
Securities considered as investments for the Fund may also be appropriate for other investment accounts managed by the investment adviser or its affiliates. Whenever decisions are made to buy or sell securities by the Fund and one or more of such other accounts simultaneously, the investment adviser will allocate the security transactions (including hot issues) in a manner which it believes to be equitable under the circumstances. As a result of such allocations, there may be instances where the Fund will not participate in a transaction that is allocated among other accounts. If an aggregated order cannot be filled completely, allocations will generally be made on a pro rata basis. An order may not be allocated on a pro rata basis where, for example: (i) consideration is given to portfolio managers who have been instrumental in developing or negotiating a particular investment; (ii) consideration is given to an account with specialized investment policies that coincide with the particulars of a specific investment; (iii) pro rata allocation would result in odd-lot or de minimis amounts being allocated to a portfolio or other client; or (iv) where the investment adviser reasonably determines that departure from a pro rata allocation is advisable. While these aggregation and allocation policies could have a detrimental effect on the price or amount of the securities available to the Fund from time to time, it is the opinion of the Trustees of the Trust that the benefits from the investment adviser organization outweigh any disadvantage that may arise from exposure to simultaneous transactions.
There are no financial statements of the Fund because as of the date of this SAI, the Fund has not commenced operations.
Householding. Consistent with applicable law, duplicate mailings of shareholder reports and certain other Fund information to shareholders residing at the same address may be eliminated.
19
Class I Fees, Performance &
Ownership
As of the date of this SAI, this Class of the Fund had not yet commenced operations so there is no fee or performance information.
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities. As of the date hereof, Eaton Vance owned one share of this Class of the Fund, being the only shares of this Class outstanding. Eaton Vance is a Massachusetts business trust and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC.
20
EATON VANCE
FUNDS
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES |
I.
Overview
|
The Boards of Trustees (the Boards) of the Eaton Vance Funds (the Funds) recognize that it is their fiduciary responsibility to actively monitor the Funds operations. The Boards have always placed paramount importance on their oversight of the implementation of the Funds investment strategies and the overall management of the Funds investments. A critical aspect of the investment management of the Funds continues to be the effective assessment and voting of proxies relating to the Funds portfolio securities. While the Boards will continue to delegate the day-to-day responsibilities relating to the management of the proxy-voting process to the relevant investment adviser or sub-adviser, if applicable, of the Fund (or its underlying portfolio in the case of a master-feeder arrangement), the Boards have determined that it is in the interests of the Funds shareholders to adopt these written proxy voting policy and procedures (the Policy). For purposes of this Policy the term Fund shall include a Funds underlying portfolio in the case of a master-feeder arrangement and the term Adviser shall mean the adviser to a Fund or its sub-adviser if a sub-advisory relationship exists.
II. Delegation of Proxy Voting
Responsibilities
|
Pursuant to investment advisory agreements between each Fund and its Adviser, the Adviser has long been responsible for reviewing proxy statements relating to Fund investments and, if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do so, to vote proxies on behalf of the Funds. The Boards hereby formally delegate this responsibility to the Adviser, except as otherwise described in this Policy. In so doing, the Boards hereby adopt on behalf of each Fund the proxy voting policies and procedures of the Adviser(s) to each Fund as the proxy voting policies and procedures of the Fund. The Boards recognize that the Advisers may from time to time amend their policies and procedures. The Advisers will report material changes to the Boards in the manner set forth in Section IV below. In addition, the Boards will annually review and approve the Advisers proxy voting policies and procedures.
III. Delegation of Proxy Voting Disclosure Responsibilities
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) recently enacted certain new reporting requirements for registered investment companies. The Commissions new regulations require that funds (other than those which invest exclusively in non-voting securities) make certain disclosures regarding their proxy voting activities. The most significant disclosure requirement for the Funds is the duty pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 promulgated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), to file Form N-PX no later than August 31 st of each year beginning in 2004. Under Form N-PX, each Fund will be required to disclose, among other things, information concerning proxies relating to the Funds portfolio investments, whether or not the Fund (or its Adviser) voted the proxies relating to securities held by the Fund and how it voted in the matter and whether it voted for or against management.
The Boards hereby delegate to each Adviser the responsibility for recording, compiling and transmitting in a timely manner all data required to be filed on Form N-PX to Eaton Vance Management, which acts as administrator to each of the Funds (the Administrator), for each Fund that such Adviser manages. The Boards hereby delegate the responsibility to file Form N-PX on behalf of each Fund to the Administrator.
IV. Conflicts of
Interest
|
The Boards expect each Adviser, as a fiduciary to the Fund(s) it manages, to put the interests of each Fund and its shareholders above those of the Adviser. In the event that in connection with its proxy voting responsibilities a material conflict of interest arises between a Funds shareholders and the Funds Adviser or the Administrator (or any of their affiliates) or any affiliated person of the Fund, and the Proxy Administrator intends to vote the proxy in a manner inconsistent with the guidelines approved by the Board, the Adviser, to the extent it is aware or reasonably should have been aware of the material conflict, will refrain from voting any proxies related to companies giving rise to such material conflict until it notifies and consults with the appropriate Board(s), or a committee or sub-committee of such Board concerning the material conflict.
Once the Adviser notifies the relevant Board(s), committee or sub-committee of the Board, of the material conflict, the Board(s), committee or sub-committee, shall convene a meeting to review and consider all relevant materials related to the
21
proxies involved. In considering such proxies, the Adviser shall make available all materials requested by the Board, committee or sub-committee and make reasonably available appropriate personnel to discuss the matter upon request. The Board, committee or sub-committee will instruct the Adviser on the appropriate course of action. If the Board, committee or sub-committee is unable to meet and the failure to vote a proxy would have a material adverse impact on the Fund(s) involved, each Adviser will have the right to vote such proxy, provided that it discloses the existence of the material conflict to the Board, committee or sub-committee at its next meeting. Any determination regarding the voting of proxies of each Fund that is made by the committee or sub-committee shall be deemed to be a good faith determination regarding the voting of proxies by the full Board.
V.
Reports
|
The Administrator shall make copies of each Form N-PX filed on behalf of the Funds available for the Boards review upon the Boards request. The Administrator (with input from the Adviser for the relevant Fund(s)) shall also provide any reports reasonably requested by the Boards regarding the proxy voting records of the Funds.
Each Adviser shall annually report any material changes to such Advisers proxy voting policies and procedures to the relevant Board(s) and the relevant Board(s) will annually review and approve the Advisers proxy voting policies and procedures. Each Adviser shall report any changes to such Advisers proxy voting policies and procedures to the Administrator prior to implementing such changes in order to enable the Administrator to effectively coordinate the Funds disclosure relating to such policies and procedures.
22
EATON VANCE
BOSTON MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES |
I.
Introduction
|
Eaton Vance Management, Boston Management and Research and Eaton Vance Investment Counsel (each an Adviser and collectively the Advisers) have each adopted and implemented policies and procedures that each Adviser believes are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with its fiduciary duties and Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Advisers authority to vote the proxies of their clients is established by their advisory contracts or similar documentation, such as the Eaton Vance Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures. These proxy policies and procedures reflect the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requirements governing advisers and the long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities for ERISA accounts set out in the Department of Labor Bulletin 94-2 C.F.R. 2509.94 -2 (July 29, 1994).
II.
Overview
|
Each Adviser manages its clients assets with the overriding goal of seeking to provide the greatest possible return to such clients consistent with governing laws and the investment policies of each client. In pursuing that goal, each Adviser seeks to exercise its clients rights as shareholders of voting securities to support sound corporate governance of the companies issuing those securities with the principle aim of maintaining or enhancing the companies economic value.
The exercise of shareholder rights is generally done by casting votes by proxy at shareholder meetings on matters submitted to shareholders for approval (for example, the election of directors or the approval of a companys stock option plans for directors, officers or employees). Each Adviser is adopting the formal written Guidelines described in detail below and will utilize such Guidelines in voting proxies on behalf of its clients. These Guidelines are designed to promote accountability of a companys management and board of directors to its shareholders and to align the interests of management with those of shareholders.
Each Adviser will vote any proxies received by a client for which it has sole investment discretion through a third-party proxy voting service (Agent) in accordance with customized policies, as approved by the Boards of Trustees of the Eaton Vance Funds and, with respect to proxies referred back to the Adviser by the Agent pursuant to the Guidelines, in a manner that is reasonably designed to eliminate any potential conflicts of interest, as described more fully below. The Agent is currently Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. Proxies will be voted in accordance with client-specific guidelines and an Eaton Vance Funds sub-advisers proxy voting policies and procedures, if applicable.
No set of guidelines can anticipate all situations that may arise. In special cases, the Proxy Administrator (the person specifically charged with the responsibility to oversee the Agent and coordinate the voting of proxies referred back to the Adviser by the Agent) may seek insight from the Proxy Group established by the Advisers. The Proxy Group will assist in the review of the Agents recommendation when a proxy voting issue is referred to the Proxy Group through the Proxy Administrator. The members of the Proxy Group, which may include employees of the Advisers affiliates, may change at the Advisers discretion.
III. | Roles and Responsibilities | |
A. | Proxy Administrator | |
The Proxy Administrator will assist in the coordination of the voting of each clients proxy in accordance with the Guidelines below and the Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures. The Proxy Administrator is authorized to direct the Agent to vote a proxy in accordance with the Guidelines. Responsibilities assigned herein to the Proxy Administrator, or activities in support thereof, may be performed by such members of the Proxy Group or employees of the Advisers affiliates as are deemed appropriate by the Proxy Group. | ||
B. | Agent | |
An independent proxy voting service (the Agent), as approved by the Board of each Fund, shall be engaged to assist in the voting of proxies. The Agent is currently Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. The Agent is responsible for coordinating with the clients custodians and the Advisers to ensure that all proxy materials received by the custodians relating to the portfolio securities are processed in a timely fashion. The Agent is required to vote and/or refer all proxies in accordance with the Guidelines below. The Agent shall retain a record of all proxy votes handled by the Agent. Such record must reflect all of the information required to be disclosed in a Funds Form N-PX pursuant | ||
23
to Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In addition, the Agent is responsible for maintaining copies of all proxy statements received by issuers and to promptly provide such materials to an Adviser upon request. Subject to the oversight of the Advisers, the Agent shall establish and maintain adequate internal controls and policies in connection with the provision of proxy voting services to the Advisers, including methods to reasonably ensure that its analysis and recommendations are not influenced by a conflict of interest, and shall disclose such controls and policies to the Advisers when and as provided for herein. Unless otherwise specified, references herein to recommendations of the Agent shall refer to those in which no conflict of interest has been identified. | ||
C. | Proxy Group | |
The Adviser shall establish a Proxy Group which shall assist in the review of the Agents recommendations when a proxy voting issue has been referred to the Proxy Administrator by the Agent. The members of the Proxy Group, which may include employees of the Advisers affiliates, may be amended from time to time at the Advisers discretion. | ||
For each proposal referred to the Proxy Group, the Proxy Group will review the (i) Guidelines, (ii) recommendations of the Agent, and (iii) any other resources that any member of the Proxy Group deems appropriate to aid in a determination of the recommendation. | ||
If the Proxy Group recommends a vote in accordance with the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, it shall instruct the Proxy Administrator to so advise the Agent. | ||
If the Proxy Group recommends a vote contrary to the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, or if the proxy statement relates to a conflicted company of the Agent, as determined by the Advisers, it shall follow the procedures for such voting outlined below. | ||
The Proxy Administrator shall use best efforts to convene the Proxy Group with respect to all matters requiring its consideration. In the event the Proxy Group cannot meet in a timely manner in connection with a voting deadline, the Proxy Administrator shall follow the procedures for such voting outlined below. | ||
IV. | Proxy Voting Guidelines (Guidelines) | |
A. | General Policies | |
It shall generally be the policy of the Advisers to take no action on a proxy for which no client holds a position or otherwise maintains an economic interest in the relevant security at the time the vote is to be cast. | ||
In all cases except those highlighted below, it shall generally be the policy of the Advisers to vote in accordance with the recommendation by the Agent, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. | ||
When a fund client participates in the lending of its securities and the securities are on loan at the record date, proxies related to such securities generally will not be forwarded to the relevant Adviser by the funds custodian and therefore will not be voted. In the event that the Adviser determines that the matters involved would have a material effect on the applicable funds investment in the loaned securities, the fund will exercise its best efforts to terminate the loan in time to be able to cast such vote or exercise such consent. | ||
Interpretation and application of these Guidelines is not intended to supersede any law, regulation, binding agreement or other legal requirement to which an issuer may be or become subject. The Guidelines relate to the types of proposals that are most frequently presented in proxy statements to shareholders. Absent unusual circumstances, each Adviser will utilize these Guidelines when voting proxies on behalf of its clients. The Guidelines may be revised at any time, provided such revisions are reported to the Boards of Trustees of the Eaton Vance Funds. | ||
B. | Proposals Regarding Mergers and Corporate Restructurings | |
The Agent shall be directed to refer proxy proposals accompanied by its written analysis and voting recommendation to the Proxy Administrator for all proposals relating to Mergers and Corporate Restructurings. | ||
C. | Proposals Regarding Mutual Fund Proxies Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation and Mergers | |
The Agent shall be directed to refer proxy proposals accompanied by its written analysis and voting recommendation to the Proxy Administrator for all proposals relating to the Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation and Mergers contained in mutual fund proxies. | ||
D. | Corporate Structure Matters/Anti-Takeover Defenses | |
As a general matter, the Advisers will normally vote against anti-takeover measures and other proposals designed to limit the ability of shareholders to act on possible transactions (except in the case of closed-end management investment companies). | ||
24
E. Social and Environmental
Issues
|
The Advisers generally support management on social and environmental proposals.
F. Voting
Procedures
|
Upon receipt of a referral from the Agent or upon advice from an Eaton Vance investment professional, the Proxy Administrator may solicit additional research from the Agent, as well as from any other source or service.
1. | WITHIN-GUIDELINES VOTES: Votes in Accordance with the Guidelines and/or, where applicable, Agent Recommendation |
In the event the Proxy Administrator recommends a vote within Guidelines and/or, where applicable, in accordance with the Agents recommendation, the Proxy Administrator will instruct the Agent to vote in this manner.
2. NON-VOTES: Votes in Which No Action is
Taken
|
The Proxy Administrator may recommend that a client refrain from voting under the following circumstances: (i) if the economic effect on shareholders' interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant, e.g., proxies in connection with securities no longer held in the portfolio of a client or proxies being considered on behalf of a client that is no longer in existence; or (ii) if the cost of voting a proxy outweighs the benefits, e.g., certain international proxies, particularly in cases in which share blocking practices may impose trading restrictions on the relevant portfolio security. In such instances, the Proxy Administrator may instruct the Agent not to vote such proxy.
Reasonable efforts shall be made to secure and vote all other proxies for the clients, but, particularly in markets in which shareholders' rights are limited, Non-Votes may also occur in connection with a client's related inability to timely access ballots or other proxy information in connection with its portfolio securities.
Non-Votes may also result in certain cases in which the Agent's recommendation has been deemed to be conflicted, as provided for herein.
3. | OUT-OF-GUIDELINES VOTES: Votes Contrary to Guidelines, or Agent Recommendation, where applicable, Where No Recommendation is Provided by Agent, or Where Agent's Recommendation is Conflicted |
If the Proxy Administrator recommends that a client vote contrary to the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, if the Agent has made no recommendation on a matter requiring case-by-case consideration and the Guidelines are silent, or the Agent's recommendation on a matter requiring case-by-case consideration is deemed to be conflicted, the Proxy Administrator will forward the Agents analysis and recommendation and any research obtained from the Agent or any other source to the Proxy Group. The Proxy Group may consult with the Agent as it deems necessary. The Proxy Administrator will instruct the Agent to vote the proxy as recommended by the Proxy Group. The Adviser will provide a report to the Boards of Trustees of the Eaton Vance Funds reflecting any votes cast contrary to the Guidelines or Agent Recommendation, as applicable, and shall do so no less than annually.
The Proxy Administrator will maintain a record of all proxy questions that have been referred by the Agent, all applicable recommendations, analysis and research received and any resolution of the matter.
V.
Recordkeeping
|
The Advisers will maintain records relating to the proxies they vote on behalf of their clients in accordance with Section 204-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Those records will include:
All records described above will be maintained in an easily accessible place for five years and will be maintained in the offices of the Advisers or their Agent for two years after they are created.
25
VI. | Assessment of Agent and Identification and Resolution of Conflicts with Clients | |
A. | Assessment of Agent | |
The Advisers shall establish that the Agent (i) is independent from the Advisers, (ii) has resources that indicate it can competently provide analysis of proxy issues, and (iii) can make recommendations in an impartial manner and in the best interests of the clients and, where applicable, their beneficial owners. The Advisers shall utilize, and the Agent shall comply with, such methods for establishing the foregoing as the Advisers may deem reasonably appropriate and shall do so not less than annually as well as prior to engaging the services of any new proxy voting service. The Agent shall also notify the Advisers in writing within fifteen (15) calendar days of any material change to information previously provided to an Adviser in connection with establishing the Agent's independence, competence or impartiality. | ||
B. | Conflicts of Interest | |
As fiduciaries to their clients, each Adviser puts the interests of its clients ahead of its own. In order to ensure that relevant personnel of the Advisers are able to identify potential material conflicts of interest, each Adviser will take the following steps: | ||
|
Quarterly, the Eaton Vance Legal and Compliance Department will seek information from the department heads of each department of the Advisers and of Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD) (an affiliate of the Advisers and principal underwriter of certain Eaton Vance Funds). Each department head will be asked to provide a list of significant clients or prospective clients of the Advisers or EVD. | |
|
A representative of the Legal and Compliance Department will compile a list of the companies identified (the Conflicted Companies) and provide that list to the Proxy Administrator. | |
|
The Proxy Administrator will compare the list of Conflicted Companies with the names of companies for which he or she has been referred a proxy statement (the Proxy Companies). If a Conflicted Company is also a Proxy Company, the Proxy Administrator will report that fact to the Proxy Group. | |
|
If the Proxy Administrator expects to instruct the Agent to vote the proxy of the Conflicted Company strictly according to the Guidelines contained in these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (the Policies) or the recommendation of the Agent, as applicable, he or she will (i) inform the Proxy Group of that fact, (ii) instruct the Agent to vote the proxies and (iii) record the existence of the material conflict and the resolution of the matter. | |
|
If the Proxy Administrator intends to instruct the Agent to vote in a manner inconsistent with the Guidelines contained herein or the recommendation of the Agent, as applicable, the Proxy Group, in consultation with Eaton Vance senior management, will then determine if a material conflict of interest exists between the relevant Adviser and its clients. If the Proxy Group, in consultation with Eaton Vance senior management, determines that a material conflict exists, prior to instructing the Agent to vote any proxies relating to these Conflicted Companies the Adviser will seek instruction on how the proxy should be voted from: | |
|
The client, in the case of an individual or corporate client; | |
|
In the case of a Fund, its board of directors, or any committee or sub-committee identified by the board; or | |
|
The adviser, in situations where the Adviser acts as a sub-adviser to such adviser. | |
The Adviser will provide all reasonable assistance to each party to enable such party to make an informed decision.
If the client, Fund board or adviser, as the case may be, fails to instruct the Adviser on how to vote the proxy, the Adviser will generally instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Administrator, to abstain from voting in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety. If however, the failure of the Adviser to vote its clients proxies would have a material adverse economic impact on the Advisers clients securities holdings in the Conflicted Company, the Adviser may instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Administrator, to vote such proxies in order to protect its clients interests. In either case, the Proxy Administrator will record the existence of the material conflict and the resolution of the matter.
The Advisers shall also identify and address conflicts that may arise from time to time concerning the Agent. Upon the Advisers request, which shall be not less than annually, and within fifteen (15) calendar days of any material change to such information previously provided to an Adviser, the Agent shall provide the Advisers with such information as the Advisers deem reasonable and appropriate for use in determining material relationships of the Agent that may pose a conflict of interest with respect to the Agents proxy analysis or recommendations. Such information shall include, but is not limited to, a monthly report from the Agent detailing the Agents Corporate Securities Division clients and related revenue data. The Advisers shall review such information on a monthly basis. The Proxy Administrator shall instruct the Agent to refer any proxies for which a material conflict of the Agent is deemed to be present to the Proxy Administrator. Any such proxy referred by the Agent shall be referred to the Proxy Group for consideration accompanied by the Agents
26
written analysis and voting recommendation. The Proxy Administrator will instruct the Agent to vote the proxy as recommended by the Proxy Group.
27
PART C - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 23. | Exhibits (with inapplicable items omitted) | |||
(a) | (1) | Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated September 27, 1993, filed as Exhibit (1)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 filed July 17, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(2) | Amendment to the Declaration of Trust dated June 23, 1997 filed as Exhibit (1)(b) to Post- Effective Amendment No. 48 filed October 10, 1997 (Accession No. 0000950156-97-000868) and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(3) | Amendment of Establishment and Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest, Without Par Value effective February 13, 2006 filed herewith. | |||
(b) | (1) | By-Laws filed as Exhibit (2)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 filed July 17, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(2) | Amendment to By-Laws dated December 13, 1993 filed as Exhibit (2)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 42 filed July 17, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(3) | Amendment to By-Laws dated June 18, 2002 filed as Exhibit (b)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 filed October 23, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(4) | Amendment to By-Laws dated February 7, 2005 filed as Exhibit (b)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 filed April 29, 2005 (Accession No. 0000940394-05-000457) and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(c) | Reference is made to Item 23(a) and 23(b) above. | |||
(d) | (1) | Investment Advisory Agreement with Eaton Vance Management for EV Traditional Emerging Growth Fund dated December 31, 1996 filed as Exhibit (5)(e) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 45 filed December 31, 1996 (Accession No. 0000940394-96-000391) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(2) | Investment Advisory Agreement with Eaton Vance Management for Eaton Vance Institutional Short Term Income Fund dated October 21, 2002 filed as Exhibit (d)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 filed December 30, 2002 (Accession No. 0000940394-02-000786) and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(3) | Investment Advisory Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance Small-Cap Value Fund, and Boston Management and Research dated April 13, 2004 filed as Exhibit (d)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 filed April 28, 2004 (Accession No. 0000940394-04-000434) and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(4) | Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Boston Management and Research and Fox Asset Management LLC for Eaton Vance Small-Cap Value Fund dated April 13, 2004 filed as Exhibit (d)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 filed April 28, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(5) | Investment Advisory Agreement between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund, and Eaton Vance Management dated February 13, 2006 filed herewith. | |||
C-1
C-2
C-3
(b) | Amended Schedule A to Class B Distribution Plan filed as Exhibit (m)(3)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 filed August 23, 2002 (Accession No. 0000940394-02-000512) and incorporated herein by reference. | |||||
(4) | (a) | Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust Class C Distribution Plan adopted June 23, 1997 filed as Exhibit (15)(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 filed October 10, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||||
(b) | Amended Schedule A to Class C Distribution Plan filed as Exhibit (m)(4)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 64 filed August 23, 2002 and incorporated herein by reference. | |||||
(5) | (a) | Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust Class R Distribution Plan adopted June 16, 2003 with attached Schedule A filed as Exhibit (5)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 filed July 9, 2003 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||||
(n) (1) | Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan for Eaton Vance Funds dated February 9, 2004 filed as Exhibit (o)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 02-90946, 811-4015) filed February 26, 2004 (Accession No. 0000940394- 04-000170) and incorporated herein by reference. | |||||
(2) | Schedule A effective February 13, 2006 to Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan dated February 9, 2004 filed herewith. | |||||
(p) | (1) |
Code of Ethics adopted by Eaton Vance
Corp., Eaton Vance Management, Boston
M
anagement
and Research, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. and the Eaton Vance
Funds
effective September 1, 2000, as revised
February 1, 2006, filed as Exhibit (p)(1) to Post-
Effective Amendment No. 94 of Eaton Vance Growth Trust (File Nos.
2-22019, 811-1241)
filed January 27, 2006 (Accession No. 0000940394-06-000125) and incorporated herein by reference. |
||||
(2) |
Code of Ethics adopted by the Lloyd George
Management Group, which includes: Lloyd
George
Management (BVI) Ltd, Lloyd George Investment Management (Bermuda)
Ltd,
Lloyd George Management (Hong Kong) Ltd,
Lloyd George Investment Management (Hong
Kong)
Limited, Lloyd George Management (Europe) Ltd, Lloyd George
Management
(Singapore) Pte Ltd and the LGM Funds effective November 2004 filed as Exhibit (p)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 filed November 19, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference. |
|||||
(3) | Code of Ethics - Fox Asset Management LLC effective March 1, 2004 filed as Exhibit (p)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 70 filed April 28, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference. | |||||
(q) | (1) | Power of Attorney for Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust dated November 1, 2005 filed as Exhibit (q) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 102 of Eaton Vance Municipals Trust (File Nos 33-52, 811-4409) filed November 11, 2005 (Accession No. 0000940394-05-001357) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||||
(2) | Power of Attorney for Capital Growth Portfolio, Emerging Markets Portfolio, Investment Grade Income Portfolio, Large Cap Core Portfolio, Large-Cap Value Portfolio, Small-Cap Growth Portfolio, Special Equities Portfolio, South Asia Portfolio and Utilities Portfolio dated November 1, 2006, filed as Exhibit (q)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 of Eaton Vance Growth Trust (File Nos. 2-22019, 811-1241) filed December 23, 2005 (Accession No. | |||||
C-4
0000940394-05-00142) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(3) |
Power of Attorney for Capital Growth
Portfolio, Large-Cap Value Portfolio, Small-Cap
Growth Portfolio, South Asia Portfolio and Utilities Portfolio
dated November 1, 2006, filed
as Exhibit (q)(3)
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 of Eaton Vance Growth Trust (File
Nos.
2-22019, 811-1241) filed December 23, 2005
(Accession No. 0000940394-05-00142) and
incorporated herein by reference. |
|
(4) | Power of Attorney for Special Equities Portfolio filed as Exhibit (q)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 of Eaton Vance Growth Trust (File Nos. 2-22019, 811-1241) filed December 23, 2005 (Accession No. 0000940394-05-00142) and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(5) | Power of Attorney for Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust dated November 1, 2006 filed as Exhibit (q)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 of Eaton Vance Growth Trust (File Nos. 2- 22019, 811-1241) filed January 27, 2006 (Accession No. 0000940394-06-00142) and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(6) | Powers of Attorney for Emerging Markets Portfolio and South Asia Portfolio dated November 1, 2006 filed as Exhibit (q)(7) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 of Eaton Vance Growth Trust (File Nos. 2-22019, 811-1241) filed January 27, 2006 (Accession No. 0000940394-06- 00142) and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(7) | Power of Attorney for Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust dated January 25, 2006, filed as Exhibit (q)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 of Eaton Vance Growth Trust (File Nos. 33-572, 811-4409) filed January 30, 2006 (Accession No. 0000940394-06-00148) and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(8) | Power of Attorney for Capital Growth Portfolio, Emerging Markets Portfolio, Investment Grade Income Portfolio, Large-Cap Value Portfolio, Small-Cap Growth Portfolio, South Asia Portfolio and Utilities Portfolio dated January 25, 2006 filed herewith. | |
Item 24. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control
Not applicable
C-5
Item 25. Indemnification
Article IV of the Registrants Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust permits Trustee and officer indemnification by By-Law, contract and vote. Article XI of the By-Laws contains indemnification provisions. Registrants Trustees and officers are insured under a standard mutual fund errors and omissions insurance policy covering loss incurred by reason of negligent errors and omissions committed in their capacities as such.
The distribution agreements of the Registrant also provide for reciprocal indemnity of the principal underwriter, on the one hand, and the Trustees and officers, on the other.
Item 26. Business and other Connections of Investment Advisers
Reference is made to: (i) the information set forth under the caption Management and Organization in the Statement of Additional Information; (ii) the Eaton Vance Corp. 10-K filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (File No. 1-8100); and (iii) the Form ADV of Eaton Vance Management (File No. 801-15930), BMR (File No. 43127), Lloyd George (File No. 801-40889) and Fox Asset Management, LLC (File No. 801-26379) filed with the Commission, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 27. Principal
Underwriters
(a) | Registrants principal underwriter, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Management, is the principal underwriter for each of the registered investment companies named below: |
Eaton Vance Advisers Senior Floating-Rate Fund | Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust | |||
Eaton Vance Growth Trust | Eaton Vance Prime Rate Reserves | |||
Eaton Vance Institutional Senior Floating-Rate Fund | Eaton Vance Series Trust II | |||
Eaton Vance Investment Trust | Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust | |||
Eaton Vance Municipals Trust | EV Classic Senior Floating-Rate Fund | |||
Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II | Eaton Vance Variable Trust | |||
(b) | ||||
(1) | (2) | (3) | ||
Name and Principal | Positions and Offices | Positions and Offices | ||
Business Address* | with Principal Underwriter | with Registrant | ||
Ira Baron | Vice President | None | ||
John Bercini | Vice President | None | ||
Chris Berg | Vice President | None | ||
Kate B. Bradshaw | Vice President | None | ||
Timothy Breer | Vice President | None | ||
Eric Caplinger | Vice President | None | ||
Mark Carlson | Vice President | None | ||
Tiffany Cayarga | Vice President | None | ||
Randy Clark | Vice President | None | ||
Daniel C. Cataldo | Vice President and Treasurer | None | ||
Patrick Cosgrove | Vice President | None | ||
Raymond Cox | Vice President | None | ||
Peter Crowley | Vice President | None | ||
Russell E. Curtis | Vice President | None | ||
Kevin Darrow | Vice President | None | ||
Derek Devine | Vice President | None | ||
Todd Dickinson | Vice President | None | ||
John Dolan | Vice President | None | ||
James Durocher | Vice President | None | ||
Alan R. Dynner | Vice President, Secretary and Clerk | Secretary | ||
Robert Ellerbeck | Vice President | None | ||
Daniel Ethier | Vice President | None |
C-6
Troy Evans | Vice President | None | ||
Vince Falbo | Vice President | None | ||
Richard A. Finelli | Vice President | None | ||
Daniel Flynn | Vice President | None | ||
James Foley | Vice President | None | ||
Michael A. Foster | Vice President | None | ||
Kathleen Fryer | Vice President | None | ||
Anne Marie Gallagher | Vice President | None | ||
William M. Gillen | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Hugh S. Gilmartin | Vice President | None | ||
Linda Grasso | Vice President | None | ||
John Greenway | Vice President | None | ||
Jorge Gutierrez | Vice President | None | ||
Peter Hartman | Vice President | None | ||
James B. Hawkes | Vice President and Director | Trustee | ||
Joseph Hernandez | Vice President | None | ||
Perry D. Hooker | Vice President | None | ||
Chris Howe | Vice President | None | ||
Elizabeth Johnson | Vice President | None | ||
Paul F. Jones | Vice President | None | ||
Steve Jones | Vice President | None | ||
Lindsey Kidder | Vice President | None | ||
Thomas P. Luka | Vice President | None | ||
Coleen Lynch | Vice President | None | ||
John Macejka | Vice President | None | ||
Christopher Marek | Vice President | None | ||
Geoff Marshall | Vice President | None | ||
Christopher Mason | Vice President | None | ||
Judy Snow May | Vice President | None | ||
Don McCaughey | Vice President | None | ||
Andy McClelland | Vice President | None | ||
Dave McDonald | Vice President | None | ||
Tim McEwen | Vice President | None | ||
David Michaud | Vice President | None | ||
Morgan C. Mohrman | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Don Murphy | Vice President | None | ||
James A. Naughton | Vice President | None | ||
Joseph Nelson | Vice President | None | ||
Mark D. Nelson | Vice President | None | ||
Scott Nelson | Vice President | None | ||
Linda D. Newkirk | Vice President | None | ||
James OBrien | Vice President | None | ||
Andrew Ogren | Vice President | None | ||
Philip Pace | Vice President | None | ||
Margaret Pier | Vice President | None | ||
Shannon Price | Vice President | None | ||
James Putman | Vice President | None | ||
James Queen | Vice President | None | ||
David Richman | Vice President | None | ||
Tim Roach | Vice President | None | ||
Randy Skarda | Vice President | None | ||
Lawrence Sinsimer | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Bill Squadroni | Vice President | None | ||
Joseph Staszkiw | Vice President | None | ||
William M. Steul | Vice President and Director | None | ||
Cornelius J. Sullivan | Senior Vice President | None | ||
Frank Sweeney | Vice President | None | ||
Gigi Szekely | Vice President | None | ||
Stefan Thielen | Vice President | None | ||
Michael Tordone | Vice President | None | ||
John M. Trotsky | Vice President | None | ||
Jerry Vainisi | Vice President | None | ||
John Vaughan | Vice President | None | ||
Greg Walsh | Vice President | None | ||
Stan Weiland | Vice President | None | ||
Wharton P. Whitaker | President and Director | None | ||
Greg Whitehead | Vice President | None |
C-7
Mark Whitehouse | Vice President | None | ||
Steve Widder | Vice President | None | ||
Charles Womack | Vice President | None | ||
Joseph Yasinski | Vice President | None | ||
Trey Young | Vice President | None | ||
Gregor Yuska | Vice President | None |
* | Address is The Eaton Vance Building, 255 State Street, Boston, MA 02109 (c) Not applicable |
Item 28. Location of Accounts and
Records
All applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by the Registrant by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated thereunder are in the possession and custody of the Registrants custodian, Investors Bank & Trust Company, 200 Clarendon Street, 16th Floor, Mail Code ADM27, Boston, MA 02116, and its transfer agent, PFPC Inc., 4400 Computer Drive, Westborough, MA 01581-5120, with the exception of certain corporate documents and portfolio trading documents which are in the possession and custody of the administrator and investment adviser or sub-adviser. Registrant is informed that all applicable accounts, books and documents required to be maintained by registered investment advisers are in the custody and possession of the relevant investment adviser or sub-adviser.
Not applicable
|
Undertakings
|
None
|
C-8
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this Amendment to its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Boston, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on February 13, 2006.
EATON VANCE SPECIAL INVESTMENT TRUST |
By: /s/ THOMAS E. FAUST JR. |
|
Thomas E. Faust Jr., President |
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 indicated on February 13, 2006.
Signature | Title | |
/s/ Thomas E. Faust Jr. | President (Chief Executive Officer) | |
Thomas E. Faust Jr. | ||
/s/ Barbara E. Campbell | Treasurer (and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | |
Barbara E. Campbell | ||
Benjamin C. Esty* | Trustee | |
Benjamin C. Esty | ||
/s/ James B. Hawkes | Trustee | |
James B. Hawkes | ||
Samuel L. Hayes, III* | Trustee | |
Samuel L. Hayes | ||
William H. Park* | Trustee | |
William H. Park | ||
Ronald A. Pearlman* | Trustee | |
Ronald A. Pearlman | ||
Norton H. Reamer* | Trustee | |
Norton H. Reamer | ||
Lynn A. Stout* | Trustee | |
Lynn A. Stout | ||
Ralph F. Verni* | Trustee | |
Ralph F. Verni | ||
*By: /s/ Alan R. Dynner | ||
Alan R. Dynner, As attorney-in-fact |
C-9
The following exhibits are filed as part of this amendment to the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 483 of Regulation C.
Exhibit No. | Description | |||||
(a) | (3) |
Amendment of Establishment and Designation
of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest,
Without Par Value |
||||
(d) | (5) |
Investment Advisory Agreement between Eaton
Vance Special Investment Trust, on behalf of
Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund, and Eaton Vance Management |
||||
(e) | (1) | (b) | Schedule A to Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement | |||
(h) | (4) | (b) | Schedule A to Administrative Services Agreement | |||
(i) | Opinion of Internal Counsel | |||||
(n) | (2) | Schedule A to Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan dated February 9, 2004 |
C-10
Exhibit (a)(3)
|
EATON VANCE SPECIAL INVESTMENT
TRUST
Amendment of Establishment and Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest, Without Par Value |
(as amended effective February 13,
2006)
|
WHEREAS, the Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust), have previously designated separate series (or Funds); and
WHEREAS, the Trustees now desire to add two new series, i.e. Eaton Vance Investment Grade Income Fund and Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund, and to further redesignate the series or Funds pursuant to Section 5.1 of Article V of the Trusts Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated September 27, 1993 (as further Amended) (the Declaration of Trust);
NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, being at least a majority of the duly elected and qualified Trustees presently in office of the Trust, hereby divide the shares of beneficial interest of the Trust into the following separate series (Funds), each Fund to have the following special and relative rights:
1. The Funds shall be designated as follows effective February 13, 2006:
Eaton Vance Balanced Fund |
Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Fund |
Eaton Vance Greater India Fund |
Eaton Vance Institutional Short Term Income Fund |
Eaton Vance Institutional Short Term Treasury Fund |
Eaton Vance Investment Grade Income Fund |
Eaton Vance Large-Cap Core Fund |
Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund |
Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund |
Eaton Vance Small-Cap Growth Fund |
Eaton Vance Small-Cap Value Fund |
Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund |
Eaton Vance Utilities Fund |
2. Each Fund shall be authorized to invest in cash, securities, instruments and other property as from time to time described in the Trusts then currently effective registration statements under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940. Each share of beneficial interest of each Fund (share) shall be redeemable, shall be entitled to one vote (or fraction thereof in respect of a fractional share) on matters on which shares of that Fund shall be entitled to vote and shall represent a pro rata beneficial interest in the assets allocated to that Fund, all as provided in the Declaration of Trust. The proceeds of sales of shares of each Fund, together with any income and gain thereon, less any diminution or expenses thereof, shall irrevocably belong to such Fund, unless otherwise required by law. Each share of a Fund shall be entitled to receive its pro rata share of net assets of that Fund upon liquidation of that Fund.
3. Shareholders of each Fund shall vote separately as a class to the extent provided in Rule 18f-2, as from time to time in effect, under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
4. The assets and liabilities of the Trust shall be allocated among the above-referenced Funds as set forth in Section 5.5 of Article V of the Declaration of Trust, except as provided below:
(a) Costs incurred by each Fund in connection with its organization and start-up, including Federal and state registration and qualification fees and expenses of the initial public offering of such Funds shares, shall (if applicable) be borne by such Fund and deferred and amortized over the five year period beginning on the date that such Fund commences operations.
(b) Reimbursement required under any expense limitation applicable to the Trust shall be allocated among those Funds whose expense ratios exceed such limitation on the basis of the relative expense ratios of such Funds.
(c) The liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves of the Trust (other than the management and investment advisory fees or the organizational expenses paid by the Trust) which are not readily identifiable as belonging to any particular Fund shall be allocated among the Funds on an equitable basis as determined by the Trustees.
5. The Trustees (including any successor Trustees) shall have the right at any time and from time to time to reallocate assets and expenses or to change the designation of any Fund now or hereafter created, or to otherwise change the special and relative rights of any such Fund, and to terminate any Fund or add additional Funds as provided in the Declaration of Trust.
6. Any Fund may merge or consolidate with any other corporation, association, trust or other organization or may sell, lease or exchange all or substantially all of its property, including its good will, upon such terms and conditions and for such consideration when and as authorized by the Trustees; and any such merger, consolidation, sale, lease or exchange shall be deemed for all purposes to have been accomplished under and pursuant to the statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Trustees may also at any time sell and convert into money all the assets of any Fund. Upon making provision for the payment of all outstanding obligations, taxes and other liabilities, accrued or contingent, of such Fund, the Trustees shall distribute the remaining assets of such Fund ratably among the holders of the outstanding shares. Upon completion of the distribution of the remaining proceeds or the remaining assets as provided in this paragraph 6, the Fund shall terminate and the Trustees shall be discharged of any and all further liabilities and duties hereunder with respect to such Fund and the right, title and interest of all parties with respect to such Fund shall be canceled and discharged.
7. The Declaration of Trust authorizes the Trustees to divide each Fund and any other series of shares into two or more classes and to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences as between, and all provisions applicable to, each of the different classes so established and designated by the Trustees. The Funds shall have classes of shares established and designated as follows:
|
(a)
Classes
A, B and C
|
2
|
004_0071
Eaton Vance Utilities Fund
(d) Classes A, B, C, I and R Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund (e) Class I Eaton Vance Investment Grade Income Fund Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund |
The Trustees may designate additional classes in the future. For purposes of allocating liabilities among classes, each class of that Fund shall be treated in the same manner as a separate series.
Dated: February 13, 2006
|
/s/ | Benjamin C. Esty | /s/ | Ronald A. Pearlman | |||
Benjamin C. Esty | Ronald A. Pearlman | |||||
/s/ | James B. Hawkes | /s/ | Norton H. Reamer | |||
James B. Hawkes | Norton H. Reamer | |||||
/s/ | Samuel L. Hayes, III | /s/ | Lynn A. Stout | |||
Samuel L. Hayes, III | Lynn A. Stout | |||||
/s/ | William H. Park | /s/ | Ralph F. Verni | |||
William H. Park | Ralph F. Verni |
3
|
004_0071
Exhibit (d)(5)
|
EATON VANCE SPECIAL INVESTMENT TRUST
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT |
ON BEHALF OF EATON VANCE REAL ESTATE FUND
AGREEMENT made this 13 th day of February, 2006, between Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust), on behalf of Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund (the Fund) and Eaton Vance Management, a Massachusetts business trust (the Adviser).
1. Duties of the Adviser . The Trust hereby employs the Adviser to act as investment adviser for and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund and to administer its investment affairs, subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust, for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement.
The Adviser hereby accepts such employment, and undertakes to afford to the Trust the advice and assistance of the Adviser's organization in the choice of investments and in the purchase and sale of securities for the Fund and to furnish for the use of the Fund office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel for servicing the investments of the Fund and for administering its affairs and to pay the salaries and fees of all officers and Trustees of the Trust who are members of the Adviser's organization and all personnel of the Adviser performing services relating to research and investment activities. The Adviser shall for all purposes herein be deemed to be an independent contractor and shall, except as otherwise expressly provided or authorized, have no authority to act for or represent the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed an agent of the Trust.
The Adviser shall provide the Trust with such investment management and supervision as the Trust may from time to time consider necessary for the proper supervision of the Fund. As investment adviser to the Trust, the Adviser shall furnish continuously an investment program and shall determine from time to time what securities and other investments shall be acquired, disposed of or exchanged and what portion of the Funds assets shall be held uninvested, subject always to the applicable restrictions of the Declaration of Trust, By-Laws and registration statement of the Trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940, all as from time to time amended. The Adviser is authorized, in its discretion and without prior consultation with the Trust, to buy, sell, and otherwise trade in any and all types of securities, commodities and investment instruments on behalf of the Fund. Should the Trustees of the Trust at any time, however, make any specific determination as to investment policy for the Fund and notify the Adviser thereof in writing, the Adviser shall be bound by such determination for the period, if any, specified in such notice or until similarly notified that such determination has been revoked. The Adviser shall take, on behalf of the Trust, all actions which it deems necessary or desirable to implement the investment policies of the Trust and of the Fund.
The Adviser shall place all orders for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities for the account of the Fund either directly with the issuer or with brokers or dealers selected by the Adviser, and to that end the Adviser is authorized as the agent of the Fund to give instructions to the custodian of the Fund as to deliveries of securities and payments of cash for the account of the Fund. In connection with the selection of such brokers or dealers and the placing of such orders, the Adviser shall adhere to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
2. Compensation of the Adviser . For the services, payments and facilities to be furnished hereunder by the Adviser, the Adviser shall be entitled to receive from the Fund an advisory fee in an amount equal to 0.65% annually of the average daily net assets of the Fund.
Such compensation shall be paid monthly in arrears on the last business day of each month. The Funds daily net assets shall be computed in accordance with the Declaration of Trust of the Trust and any applicable votes and determinations of the Trustees of the Trust. In case of initiation or termination of the Agreement during any month with respect to the Fund, the fee for that month shall be based on the number of calendar days during which it is in effect. The Adviser may, from time to time, waive all or a part of the above compensation.
3. Allocation of Charges and Expenses . It is understood that the Fund will pay all expenses other than those expressly stated to be payable by the Adviser hereunder, which expenses payable by the Fund shall include, without implied limitation, (i) expenses of maintaining the Fund and continuing its existence, (ii) registration of the Trust under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (iii) commissions, fees and other expenses connected with the acquisition, holding and disposition of securities and other investments, (iv) auditing, accounting and legal expenses, (v) taxes and interest, (vi) governmental fees, (vii) expenses of issue, sale, and redemption of shares, (viii) expenses of registering and qualifying the Fund and its shares under federal and state securities laws and of preparing and printing registration statements or other offering statements or memoranda for such purposes and for distributing the same to shareholders and investors, and fees and expenses of registering and maintaining registrations of the Fund and of the Funds placement agent as broker-dealer or agent under state securities laws, (ix) expenses of reports and notices to shareholders and of meetings of shareholders and proxy solicitations therefor, (x) expenses of reports to governmental officers and commissions, (xi) insurance expenses, (xii) association membership dues, (xiii) fees, expenses and disbursements of custodians and subcustodians for all services to the Fund (including without limitation safekeeping of funds, securities and other investments, keeping of books, accounts and records, and determination of net asset values), (xiv) fees, expenses and disbursements of transfer agents, dividend disbursing agents, shareholder servicing agents and registrars for all services to the Fund, (xv) expenses for servicing shareholder accounts, (xvi) any direct charges to shareholders approved by the Trustees of the Trust, (xvii) compensation and expenses of Trustees of the Trust who are not members of the Advisers organization, (xviii) all payments to be made and expenses to be assumed by the Fund pursuant to any one or more distribution plans adopted by the Trust on behalf of the Fund pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and (xix) such non-recurring items as may arise, including expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings and claims and the obligation of the Trust to indemnify its Trustees, officers and shareholders with respect thereto.
4. Other Interests . It is understood that Trustees and officers of the Trust and shareholders of the Fund are or may be or become interested in the Adviser as trustees, officers, employees, shareholders or otherwise and that trustees, officers, employees and shareholders of the Adviser are or may be or become similarly interested in the Fund, and that the Adviser may be or become interested in the Fund as a shareholder or otherwise. It is also understood that trustees, officers, employees and shareholders of the Adviser may be or become interested (as directors, trustees, officers, employees, shareholders or otherwise) in other companies or entities (including, without limitation, other investment companies) which the Adviser may organize, sponsor or acquire, or with which it may merge or consolidate, and which may include the words Eaton Vance or any combination thereof as part of their name, and that the Adviser or its subsidiaries or affiliates may enter into advisory or management agreements or other contracts or relationships with such other companies or entities.
5. Limitation of Liability of the Adviser . The services of the Adviser to the Trust are not to be deemed to be exclusive, the Adviser being free to render services to others and engage in other business
2
017_0113
activities. In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of the Adviser, the Adviser shall not be subject to liability to the Trust or to any shareholder of the Fund for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder or for any losses which may be sustained in the acquisition, holding or disposition of any security or other investment.
6. Sub-Investment Advisers . The Adviser may employ one or more sub-investment advisers from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of the Adviser, including the selection of brokers or dealers or other persons to execute the Funds portfolio security transactions, and upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the Adviser and such sub-investment adviser and approved by the Trustees of the Trust, all as permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940.
7. Duration and Termination of this Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective upon the date of its execution, and, unless terminated as herein provided, shall remain in full force and effect through and including February 28, 2008 and shall continue in full force and effect indefinitely thereafter, but only so long as such continuance after February 28, 2008 is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund and (ii) by the vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Adviser or the Trust cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
Either party hereto may, at any time on sixty (60) days' prior written notice to the other, terminate this Agreement without the payment of any penalty, by action of Trustees of the Trust or the trustees of the Adviser, as the case may be, and the Trust may, at any time upon such written notice to the Adviser, terminate this Agreement by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event of its assignment.
8. Amendments of the Agreement . This Agreement may be amended by a writing signed by both parties hereto, provided that no amendment to this Agreement shall be effective until approved (i) by the vote of a majority of those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Adviser or the Trust cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) if required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
9. Limitation of Liability . The Adviser expressly acknowledges the provision in the
Declaration of Trust of the Trust limiting the personal liability of shareholders of the Fund, and the Adviser hereby agrees that it shall have recourse to the Trust or the Fund for payment of claims or obligations as between the Trust or the Fund and the Adviser arising out of this Agreement and shall not seek satisfaction from the shareholders or any shareholder of the Fund.
10. Use of the Name Eaton Vance. The Adviser hereby consents to the use by the Fund of the name Eaton Vance as part of the Funds name; provided, however, that such consent shall be conditioned upon the employment of the Adviser or one of its affiliates as the investment adviser of the Fund. The name Eaton Vance or any variation thereof may be used from time to time in other connections and for other purposes by the Adviser and its affiliates and other investment companies that have obtained consent to the use of the name Eaton Vance. The Adviser shall have the right to require the Fund to cease using the name Eaton Vance as part of the Funds name if the Fund ceases, for any reason, to employ the Adviser or one of its affiliates as the Funds investment adviser. Future names adopted by the Fund for itself, insofar as such names include identifying words requiring the consent of the Adviser, shall be the property of the Adviser and shall be subject to the same terms and conditions.
11. Certain Definitions . The terms assignment and interested persons when used herein shall have the respective meanings specified in the Investment Company Act of 1940 as now in effect or as
3
017_0113
hereafter amended subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission by any rule, regulation or order. The term vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities shall mean the vote, at a meeting of shareholders, of the lesser of (a) 67 per centum or more of the shares of the Fund present or represented by proxy at the meeting if the holders of more than 50 per centum of the shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy at the meeting, or (b) more than 50 per centum of the shares of the Fund.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed on the day and year first above written.
EATON VANCE
SPECIAL INVESTMENT TRUST
(on behalf of Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund) |
By: | /s/ Thomas E. Faust Jr . | |
Thomas E. Faust Jr. | ||
President |
EATON VANCE MANAGEMENT
|
By: | /s/ Alan R. Dynner | |
Alan R. Dynner | ||
Vice President | ||
and not individually |
4
|
017_0113
Exhibit (e)(1)(b)
SCHEDULE A
EATON VANCE SPECIAL INVESTMENT TRUST DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
I. | Funds sold prior to June 23, 1997 Agreement | |||||
Name of Fund Adopting this Agreement | Prior Agreements Relating to Class B and/or Class C Assets | |||||
Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Fund | Class B: | March 24, 1994/November 1, 1996 | ||||
Eaton Vance Greater India Fund | Class B: | March 24, 1994/November 1, 1996 | ||||
Eaton Vance Balanced Fund * | Class B: | October 28, 1993/August 1, 1995/November 1, 1996 | ||||
Class C: | October 28, 1993/January 27, 1995/August 1, 1995/November 1, 1996 | |||||
Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund | Class B: | August 1, 1994/August 1, 1995/November 1, 1996 | ||||
Class C: | August 1, 1994/January 27, 1995/August 1, 1995/November 1, 1996 | |||||
Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund * | Class B: | August 1, 1994/August 1, 1995/November 1, 1996 | ||||
Class C: | August 1, 1994/January 27, 1995/August 1, 1995/November 1, 1996 | |||||
Eaton Vance Utilities Fund * | Class B: | October 28, 1993/August 1, 1995/November 1, 1996 | ||||
Class C: | October 28, 1993/January 27, 1995/August 1, 1995/November 1, 1996 | |||||
Eaton Vance Small-Cap Growth Fund | N/A |
* | These funds are successors in operations to funds which were reorganized, effective August 1, 1995, and the outstanding uncovered distribution charges of the predecessor funds were assumed by the above funds. |
II. | Funds sold since June 23, 1997 | |||
Name of Fund Adopting this Agreement | Prior Agreements Relating to Class B, Class C and/or Class R Assets | |||
Eaton Vance Institutional Short Term Treasury Fund | N/A | |||
Eaton Vance Institutional Emerging Markets Fund | N/A | |||
Eaton Vance Small-Cap Value Fund | N/A | |||
Eaton Vance Large-Cap Core Fund | N/A | |||
Eaton Vance Institutional Short Term Income Fund | N/A | |||
Eaton Vance Investment Grade Income Fund | N/A | |||
Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund | N/A |
Exhibit (h)(4)(b)
SCHEDULE A
EATON VANCE SPECIAL INVESTMENT TRUST ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT |
Name of Fund | Effective Date | Fee* | ||
Eaton Vance Small-Cap Growth Fund | April 16, 2000 | 0.15% | ||
Eaton Vance Small-Cap Value Fund | March 18, 2002 | 0.15% | ||
Eaton Vance Large-Cap Core Fund | June 18, 2002 | 0.15% | ||
Eaton Vance Investment Grade Income Fund | February 13, 2006 | N/A | ||
Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund | February 13, 2006 | 0.15% |
* Fee is a percentage of average daily net assets per annum, computed and paid monthly.
Exhibit
(i)
|
EATON VANCE
MANAGEMENT
The Eaton Vance Building 255 State Street Boston, MA 02109 Telephone: (617) 482-8260 Telecopy: (617) 338-8054 |
February 13,
2006
|
Eaton Vance Special Investment
Trust
255 State Street Boston, MA 02109 Ladies and Gentlemen: |
Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust) is a voluntary association (commonly referred to as a (business trust) established under Massachusetts law with the powers and authority set forth under its Declaration of Trust dated March 27, 1989, as amended (the Declaration of Trust).
The Trustees of the Trust have the powers set forth in the Declaration of Trust, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions therein provided. As provided in the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may authorize one or more series or classes of shares, without par value, and the number of shares of each series or class authorized is unlimited. The series and classes of shares established and designated as of the date hereof and registered by Form N-1A are identified on Appendix A hereto.
Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may from time to time issue and sell or cause to be issued and sold shares of the Trust for cash or for property. All such shares, when so issued, shall be fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust.
I have examined originals, or copies, certified or otherwise identified to my satisfaction, of such certificates, records and other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the purpose of this opinion.
Based upon the foregoing, and with respect to Massachusetts law (other than the Massachusetts Uniform Securities Act), only to the extent that Massachusetts law may be applicable and without reference to the laws of the other several states or of the United States of America, I am of the opinion that under existing law:
1. The Trust is a trust with transferable shares of beneficial interest.
2. Shares of beneficial interest of the Trust registered by Form N-1A may be legally and validly issued in accordance with the Declaration of Trust upon receipt of payment in compliance with the Declaration of Trust and, when so issued and sold, will be fully paid and nonassessable by the Trust.
Eaton Vance Special Investment
Trust
February 13, 2006 Page 2 |
I am a member of the Massachusetts bar and have acted as internal legal counsel to the Trust in connection with the registration of shares.
I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 75 to the Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Very truly
yours,
|
/s/ Deidre E. Walsh
Deidre E. Walsh, Esq. Vice President |
T:\Fundamental Documents\027sries\027_0064.doc
Appendix A
Established and Designated Series of the Trust
Eaton Vance Balanced Fund
(1)
Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Fund (1) Eaton Vance Greater India Fund (1) Eaton Vance Investment Grade Income Fund (4) Eaton Vance Institutional Short Term Income Fund (6) Eaton Vance Institutional Short Term Treasury Fund (6) Eaton Vance Large-Cap Core Fund (2) Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund (3) Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund (4) Eaton Vance Small-Cap Growth Fund (5) Eaton Vance Small-Cap Value Fund (2) Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund (1) Eaton Vance Utilities Fund (1) |
____________________________
Authorized Classes are as follows: |
(1)
Class A, B, C
and I
(2) Class A, B, C, D and I (3) Class A, B, C, I and R (4) Class I (5) Class A, B, and C (6) No Class designated |
T:\Fundamental Documents\027sries\027_0064.doc
Exhibit (n)(2)
AMENDED AND RESTATED
Schedule A Effective February 13, 2006 AMENDED AND RESTATED MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN FOR EATON VANCE FUNDS February 9, 2004 |
Eaton Vance Growth
Trust
|
Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital Intermediate Bond Fund | Eaton Vance Global Growth Fund | |
Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital Large-Cap Growth Fund | Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund | |
Eaton Vance Atlanta Capital Small-Cap Fund | Eaton Vance Growth Fund | |
Eaton Vance Asian Small Companies Fund | Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund |
Eaton Vance California Limited Maturity Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance New Jersey Limited Maturity Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Florida Limited Maturity Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance New York Limited Maturity Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Massachusetts Limited Maturity Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance Ohio Limited Maturity Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance National Limited Maturity Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance Pennsylvania Limited Maturity Municipals Fund |
Eaton Vance Alabama Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance Mississippi Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Arizona Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance Missouri Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Arkansas Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance National Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance California Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance New Jersey Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Colorado Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance New York Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Connecticut Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance North Carolina Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Florida Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance Ohio Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Georgia Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance Oregon Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Kentucky Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance Pennsylvania Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Louisiana Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance Rhode Island Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Maryland Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance South Carolina Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Massachusetts Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance Tennessee Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Michigan Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance Virginia Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Minnesota Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance West Virginia Municipals Fund |
Eaton Vance Municipals Trust
II
Eaton Vance Florida Insured Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance High Yield Municipals Fund | |
Eaton Vance Hawaii Municipals Fund | Eaton Vance Kansas Municipals Fund |
A-1
Eaton Vance Mutual Funds
Trust
Eaton Vance Diversified Income Fund | Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Equity Asset Allocation Fund | |
Eaton Vance Dividend Income Fund | Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Growth Fund 1.1 | |
Eaton Vance Floating-Rate Fund | Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Growth Fund 1.2 | |
Eaton Vance Floating-Rate High Income Fund | Eaton Vance Tax-Managed International Growth Fund | |
Eaton Vance Government Obligations Fund | Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Mid-Cap Core Fund | |
Eaton Vance High Income Fund | Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Multi-Cap Opportunity Fund | |
Eaton Vance International Equity Fund | Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Small-Cap Growth Fund 1.1 | |
Eaton Vance Low Duration Fund | Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Small-Cap Growth Fund 1.2 | |
Eaton Vance Municipal Bond Fund | Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Small-Cap Value Fund | |
Eaton Vance Strategic Income Fund | Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Value Fund | |
Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Dividend Income Fund |
Eaton Vance Income Fund of Boston
Eaton Vance Tax-Managed Emerging Markets Fund |
Eaton Vance Special Investment
Trust
|
Eaton Vance Balanced Fund | Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund | |
Eaton Vance Emerging Markets Fund | Eaton Vance Small-Cap Growth Fund | |
Eaton Vance Greater India Fund | Eaton Vance Small-Cap Value Fund | |
Eaton Vance Investment Grade Income Fund | Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund | |
Eaton Vance Large-Cap Core Fund | Eaton Vance Utilities Fund | |
Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund |
A-2
Exhibit
(q)(8)
|
POWER OF
ATTORNEY
|
The undersigned officer of Asian Small Companies Portfolio, Capital Growth Portfolio, Emerging Markets Portfolio, Global Growth Portfolio, Greater China Growth Portfolio, Growth Portfolio, Investment Grade Income Portfolio, Large-Cap Value Portfolio, Small-Cap Growth Portfolio, South Asia Portfolio and Utilities Portfolio, each a New York trust, (does hereby severally constitute and appoint Barbara E. Campbell, Alan R. Dynner, Thomas E. Faust Jr. and James B. Hawkes, or any of them, to be true, sufficient and lawful attorneys, or attorney , to sign for me in the capacity indicated below, any Registration Statement and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to a Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of each of the respective Trusts listed below, in respect of shares of beneficial interest and other documents and papers relating thereto:
Asian Small Companies Portfolio | Eaton Vance Growth Trust | |
Capital Growth Portfolio | Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust | |
Emerging Markets Portfolio | Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust | |
Global Growth Portfolio | Eaton Vance Growth Trust | |
Greater China Growth Portfolio | Eaton Vance Growth Trust | |
Growth Portfolio | Eaton Vance Growth Trust | |
Investment Grade Income Portfolio | Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust | |
Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust | ||
Large-Cap Value Portfolio, | Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust | |
Small-Cap Growth Portfolio | Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust | |
South Asia Portfolio | Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust | |
Utilities Portfolio | Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand on the date set opposite my signature.
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ William J. Austin, Jr. |
Treasurer and Principal Financial
and
Accounting Officer |
January 25, 2006 | ||
|
||||
William J. Austin, Jr. |
exq8