As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 12, 2010 |
1933 Act File No. 2-22019
1940 Act File No. 811-1241 |
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM N-1A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT of 1933 ¨ POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 111 x REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 ¨ AMENDMENT NO. 84 x EATON VANCE GROWTH TRUST (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (617) 482-8260 (Registrants Telephone Number) MAUREEN A. GEMMA Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110 (Name and Address of Agent for Service) |
It is proposed that this filing will become effective pursuant to Rule 485 (check appropriate box):
x immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) | ¨ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
¨ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) | ¨ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
¨ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) | ¨ on (date) 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. |
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Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund |
Class A Shares -
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ERBAX
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Class C Shares -
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ERBCX
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Class I Shares -
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ERBIX
A diversified fund seeking total return |
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Prospectus Dated
October 12, 2010
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 | ||||
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Fund Summary | 2 | Investment Objective & Principal Policies and Risks | 5 | |
Investment Objective | 2 | Management and Organization | 8 | |
Fees and Expenses of the Fund | 2 | Valuing Shares | 9 | |
Portfolio Turnover | 2 | Purchasing Shares | 9 | |
Principal Investment Strategies | 2 | Sales Charges | 12 | |
Principal Risks | 3 | Redeeming Shares | 14 | |
Performance | 4 | Shareholder Account Features | 15 | |
Management | 4 | Additional Tax Information | 16 | |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares | 4 | |||
Tax Information | 4 | |||
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries | 4 | |||
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This Prospectus contains important information about the Fund and the services
available to shareholders. Please save it for reference.
Fund Summary
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Investment ^ Objective
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The Funds investment objective is to seek total return.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for a reduced sales charge if you invest, or agree to invest over a 13-month period, at least $50,000 in Eaton Vance Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in Sales Charges beginning on page ^ 12 of this Prospectus and page ^ 19 of the Funds Statement of Additional Information.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) | Class A | Class C | Class I |
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.75% | None | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of net asset value at time of purchase or redemption) | None | 1.00% | None |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) | Class A | Class C | Class I |
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Management Fees | 0.90% | 0.90% | 0.90% |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | n/a |
Other Expenses (estimated) | 0.35 % | 0.35 % | 0.35 % |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses ^ | 1.50% | 2.25% | 1.25% |
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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 ^ :
Expenses with Redemption | Expenses without Redemption | |||
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1 Year | 3 Years | 1 Year | 3 Years | |
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Class A shares | $719 | $1,022 | $719 | $1, ^ 022 |
Class C shares | $328 | $ 703 | $228 | $703 |
Class I shares | $127 | $ 397 | $127 | $397 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Funds performance ^ .
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities and derivative instruments that provide exposure to equity securities (the 80% Policy) ^ . The Fund may invest up to 20% of its net assets in fixed-income securities, including securities of any rating or that are unrated. The Fund may invest an unlimited amount of its assets in foreign securities located in developed or emerging market countries, including securities trading in the form of depositary receipts. The Fund may invest in stocks of companies of any capitalization, real estate investment trusts, exchange-traded notes and funds and other pooled investment vehicles.
The Fund may engage in derivative transactions to seek return, to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates or currency exchange rates, or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities or currencies. ^ The Fund expects to use derivatives ^ principally when seeking to gain exposure to equity securities using futures contracts on securities indices. However, the Fund may also purchase or ^ sell forwards or other types of futures contracts; options on futures contracts; exchange traded and over-
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the-counter options; equity collars; equity-linked securities and equity swap agreements. The Fund may also engage in covered short sales (on individual securities held or on an index or basket of securities whose constituents are held in whole or in part) . There is no stated limit on the Funds use of derivatives .
The Fund will be managed in a macro-driven, top-down style that will emphasize and de-emphasize various global equity market segments at different times. Leading exposures will vary among growth and value, small, mid and large cap, U.S. and non-U.S., and developed and emerging markets based on the sub-advisers assessment of a range of proprietary and non-proprietary quantitative indicators and the firms macro-economic analysis and judgment. It is expected that the macro-economic factors and indicators will evolve over time and may include the following: global equity market valuations; global yield curves; asset class, regional, and country correlations; profit cycle analyses and style and sector rotation; expected beta; estimate revisions and earnings surprises; ^ investor sentiment and other factors. Individual stock selection will be based on quantitative screening and optimization to achieve desired market exposures while controlling stock-specific and other observable market risks. The ^ portfolio is monitored on an ongoing basis and rebalanced as necessary to seek to ensure that desired market exposures and risk controls are maintained. Stocks may be sold if they exhibit performance that might counteract the desired exposures or to implement a revised allocation based on a modified top-down view.
The Fund will exercise a flexible strategy and is not limited by investment style or by an issuers location, size, market capitalization or industry sector. The strategy may have none, some or all of its assets invested in a particular market segment at a given time, and across market segments in relative proportions that change over time. Up to 100% of investments may be in either U.S. or foreign securities, including issuers located in emerging market countries.
Principal Risks
Equity Investing Risk. The Funds shares may be sensitive to stock market volatility and the stocks in which the Fund invests may be more volatile than the stock market as a whole. The value of equity investments and related instruments may decline in response to conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations, as well as issuer or sector specific events. Market conditions may affect certain types of ^ stocks to a greater extent than other types of stocks. If the stock market declines, the value of Fund shares will also likely decline and although stock values can rebound, there is no assurance that values will return to previous levels. Preferred stocks may also be sensitive to changes in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the value of preferred stocks will generally fall ^ .
^ Smaller Companies Risk. ^ Stocks of smaller, less seasoned companies are generally subject to greater price fluctuations, limited liquidity, higher transaction costs and higher investment risk. ^ Smaller companies may have limited product lines, markets or financial resources, and they may be dependent on a limited management group, or lack substantial capital reserves or an established performance record. There is generally less publicly available information about such companies than for larger, more established companies ^ .
Fixed Income and Convertible Security Risk. The Funds shares may be sensitive to increases in prevailing interest rates and the creditworthiness of issuers. Fixed-income securities rated below investment grade and comparable unrated securities have speculative characteristics because of the credit risk associated with their issuers. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances typically have a greater effect on the ability of issuers of lower rated investments to make principal and interest payments than they do on issuers of higher rated investments. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a lower rated investment may lose significant value before a default occurs. Lower rated investments generally are subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than higher rated investments.
Foreign and Emerging Market Investment Risk. Because the Fund can invest a significant portion of its assets in foreign instruments, the value of Fund shares can be adversely affected by changes in currency exchange rates and political and economic developments abroad. In emerging or less developed countries, these risks can be more significant. Investment markets in emerging market countries are ^ substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major markets in developed countries , and as a result, Fund share values may be more volatile . Emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments and economies. Emerging market investments often are subject to speculative trading, which typically contributes to volatility. ^ Trading in foreign and emerging markets typically involves higher expense than trading in the United States. The Fund may have difficulties enforcing its legal or contractual rights in a foreign country. Depositary receipts are subject to many of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities including political and economic risks. ^
Derivatives Risk. The use of derivatives can lead to losses ^ because of adverse movements in the price or value of the asset, index, rate or instrument underlying a derivative, due to failure of a counterparty or due to tax or regulatory constraints. Derivatives may create investment leverage in the Fund, which magnifies the Funds exposure to the underlying investment. Derivative risks may be more significant when they are used to enhance return or as a substitute for a position or security, rather than solely to hedge the risk of a position or security held by the Fund. ^ When derivatives are used to gain exposure to ^ a particular market
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or market segment their performance may not correlate as ^ expected to ^ the ^ performance of ^ such market thereby causing the ^ Fund to fail to achieve its orignal purpose for using such derivatives . Derivatives for hedging purposes may not reduce risk if they are not sufficiently correlated to the position being hedged. A decision as to whether, when and how to use derivatives involves the exercise of specialized skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived transaction may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected events. 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 instrument. The loss on ^ derivative transactions may substantially exceed the initial investment.
Risks Associated with Active and Quantitative Management. The Fund is an actively managed portfolio and its success depends upon the investment skills and analytical abilities of the investment sub-adviser to develop and effectively implement strategies that achieve the Funds investment objective. Subjective decisions may cause the Fund to incur losses or to miss profit opportunities on which it may otherwise have capitalized. The investment sub-adviser uses quantitative investment techniques and analyses in making investment decisions for the Fund, but there can be no assurance that these will achieve the desired results.
General Fund Investing Risks. The Fund is not a complete investment program and you may lose money by investing in the Fund. All investments carry a certain amount of risk and there is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to achieve its investment objective. In general, the Funds Annual Fund Operating Expenses as a percentage of Fund average daily net assets will change as Fund assets increase and decrease, and the Funds Annual Fund Operating Expenses may differ in the future. Purchase and redemption activities by ^ Fund shareholders may impact the management of the Fund and its ability to achieve its objective. 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, entity or person. You may lose money by investing in the Fund.
Performance
Performance history will be available after the Fund has been in operation for one calendar year ^ .
Management
Investment Adviser. Eaton Vance Management (" ^ EVM ").
Investment Sub-Adviser. Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC ("RBA").
Portfolio Manager. The Fund is managed by Richard Bernstein, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of RBA, who has managed the Fund since its inception in 2010.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares on any business day, which is any day the New York Stock Exchange is open for business. You may purchase, redeem or exchange Fund shares either through your financial intermediary or directly from the Fund either by writing to Eaton Vance Funds, P.O. Box 9653, Providence, RI 02940-9653, or by calling 1-800-262-1122. The minimum initial purchase or exchange into the Fund is $1,000 for Class A and Class C and $250,000 for Class I (waived in certain circumstances). There is no minimum for subsequent investments.
Tax Information
The Funds distributions are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains, unless you are exempt from taxation.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (collectively, "financial intermediaries"), the Fund, its principal underwriter and its affiliates may pay the financial intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediarys web site for more information.
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Investment ^ Objective & Principal Policies and Risks
A statement of the investment ^ objective and principal investment policies and risks of the Fund is set forth above in ^ Fund ^ Summary. Set forth below is additional information about such policies and risks ^ which apply to the Fund.
Foreign and Emerging Market Investments. Investments in foreign issuers could be affected by 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. Because foreign issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements and regulatory measures comparable to those in the United States, there may be less publicly available information about such foreign issuers. Settlements of securities transactions in foreign countries are subject to risk of loss, may be delayed and are generally less ^ frequent than in the United States, which could affect the liquidity of the Funds assets. As an alternative to holding foreign-traded investments, the Fund may invest in dollar-denominated investments 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 investments).
The foregoing risks of foreign investing can be more significant in less developed and emerging market countries, which may offer higher potential for gains and losses than investments in the developed markets of the world. Political and economic structures in emerging market countries generally lack the social, political and economic stability of developed countries, which may affect the value of the Funds investments in these countries and also the ability of the Fund to access markets in such countries. Governmental actions can have a significant effect on the economic conditions in emerging countries, which also may adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Funds investments. The laws of emerging market countries relating to limited liability of corporate shareholders, fiduciary duties of officers and directors, and the bankruptcy of state enterprises are generally less well developed than or different from such laws in the United States. It may be more difficult to obtain a judgment in the courts of these countries than it is in the United States. Disruptions due to work stoppages and trading improprieties in foreign securities markets have caused such markets to close. If extended closings were to occur in stock markets where the Fund is heavily invested, the Funds ability to redeem Fund shares could become impaired. In such circumstances, the Fund may have to sell more liquid securities than it would ^ otherwise choose to sell. Emerging market countries are also subject to speculative trading which contributes to their volatility.
Foreign Currencies. The value of foreign assets and currencies as measured in U.S. dollars may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency rates and exchange control regulations, application of foreign tax laws (including withholding tax), governmental administration of economic or monetary policies (in this country or abroad), and relations between nations and trading. Foreign currencies also are subject to settlement, custodial and other operational risks. Currency exchange rates can 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 United States or abroad. Costs are incurred in connection with conversions between currencies. The Fund may engage in spot transactions and forward foreign currency exchange contracts, purchase and sell options on currencies and purchase and sell currency futures contracts and related options thereon (collectively, "Currency Instruments") to hedge against the decline in the value of currencies in which its portfolio holdings are denominated against the U.S. ^ dollar. Use of Currency Instruments may involve substantial currency risk and may also involve counterparty, leverage or liquidity risk.
Derivatives. The Fund may enter into derivatives transactions with respect to any security or other instrument in which it is permitted to invest or any related security, instrument, index or economic indicator ("reference instruments"). Derivatives are financial instruments the value of which is derived from the underlying reference instrument. Derivatives ^ allow the Fund to increase or decrease the level of risk to which the Fund is exposed more quickly and efficiently than transactions in other types of instruments. The Fund incurs costs in connection with opening and closing derivatives positions. The Fund may engage in the derivative transactions set forth below, as well as in other derivative transactions with substantially similar characteristics and risks.
Options on Securities, Indices and Currencies. The Fund may engage in transactions in exchange traded and over-the-counter (OTC) options. There are several risks associated with transactions in options such as imperfect correlation, counterparty risk and an insufficient liquid secondary market for particular options ^ . By buying a put option, the Fund acquires a right to sell the underlying instrument at the exercise price, thus limiting the Fund's risk of loss through a decline in the market value of the instrument until the put option expires. The Fund will pay a premium to the seller of the option for the right to receive payments of cash to the extent that the value of the applicable instrument declines below the exercise price as of the option valuation date. If the price of the instrument is above the exercise price of the option as of the option valuation date, the option expires worthless and the Fund will not be able to recover the option premium paid to the seller. The Fund may purchase uncovered put options. The Fund also has authority to write ( i.e., sell) put options. The Fund will receive a premium for writing a put option, which increases the Fund's return. In writing a put option, the Fund has the obligation to buy the underlying instrument at an agreed upon price if the price of such instrument decreases below the exercise price. If the value of the instrument on the option expiration date is above the exercise price, the option will generally expire worthless and the Fund, as option seller, will have no obligation to the option holders. |
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A purchased call option gives the Fund the right to buy, and obligates the seller to sell, the underlying instrument at the exercise price at any time during the option period. The Fund also is authorized to write ( i.e., sell) call options on instruments in which it may invest and to enter into closing purchase transactions with respect to such options. A covered call option is an option in which the Fund, in return for a premium, gives another party a right to buy specified instruments owned by the Fund at a specified future date and price set at the time of the contract. The Fund's ability to sell the instrument underlying a call option may be limited while the option is in effect unless the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction. Uncovered calls have speculative characteristics and are riskier than covered calls because there is no underlying instrument held by the Fund that can act as a partial hedge. As the writer of a covered call option or an index call option, the Fund forgoes, during the options life, the opportunity to profit from increases in the market value of the security or the index covering the call option above the sum of the option premium received and the exercise price of the call, but has retained the risk of loss, minus the option premium received, should the price of the underlying security or index decline. |
OTC options involve risk that the issuer or counterparty will fail to perform its contractual obligations. Participants in these markets ^ are typically not ^ subject to the same credit evaluation and regulatory oversight as are members of exchange based markets. By engaging in option transactions in these markets, the Fund may take a credit risk with regard to parties with which it trades and also may bear the risk of settlement default. |
Covered Calls and Equity Collars. While the Fund generally will write only covered call options, it may sell the instrument underlying a call option prior to entering into a closing purchase transaction on up to 5% of the Funds net assets, provided that such sale will not occur more than three days prior to the option buy back. In an equity collar, the Fund simultaneously writes a call option and purchases a put option on the same instrument. |
Futures Contracts. The Fund may engage in transactions in futures contracts and options on futures contracts. Futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts that obligate a purchaser to take delivery, and a seller to make delivery, of a specific amount of an asset at a specified future date at a specified price. Futures contracts ^ involve substantial leverage risk. The Fund also is authorized to purchase or sell call and put options on futures contracts. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts and options are imperfect correlation, liquidity, unanticipated market movement and counterparty risk. |
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are individually negotiated and privately traded so they are dependent upon the creditworthiness of the counterparty. They are subject to the risk of 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 forwards. As a result, available information may not be complete. |
Equity Swaps. Equity swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective returns as calculated on a notional amount of an equity index (such as the S&P 500 Index), basket of equity securities, or individual equity security. The success of swap agreements is dependent on the investment ^ advisers ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Other risks include liquidity and counterparty risk. |
Equity-Linked Securities. Equity-linked securities are primarily used as an alternative means to more efficiently and effectively access the securities markets of emerging market countries and may also be known as participation notes, equity swaps, and zero strike calls and warrants. The Fund deposits an amount of cash with its custodian (or broker, if legally permitted) in an amount near or equal to the selling price of the underlying security in exchange for an equity-linked security. Upon sale, the Fund receives cash from the broker or custodian equal to the value of the underlying security. Aside from market risk of the underlying security, there is the risk of default by the other party to the transaction. In the event of insolvency of the other party, the Fund might be unable to obtain its expected benefit. In addition, while the Fund will seek to enter into such transactions only with parties which are capable of entering into closing transactions with the Fund, there can be no assurance that the Fund will be able to close out such a transaction with the other party or obtain an offsetting position with any other party, at any time prior to the end of the term of the underlying agreement. This may impair the Funds ability to enter into other transactions at a time when doing so might be advantageous. |
Short Sales. A short sale typically involves the sale of a security that is borrowed from a broker or other institution to complete the sale. Short sales expose the seller to the risk that it will be required to acquire securities to replace the borrowed securities (also known as "covering" the short position) at a time when the securities sold short have appreciated in value, thus resulting in a loss. When making a short sale, the Fund must segregate liquid assets equal to (or otherwise cover) its obligations under the short sale. The seller of a short position generally realizes a profit on the transaction if the price it receives on the short sale exceeds the cost of closing out the position by purchasing securities in the market, but generally realizes a loss if the cost of closing out the short position exceeds the proceeds of the short sale ^ .
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Credit Quality. ^ Credit ratings are based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the issuers financial condition and the rating agencys investment analysis, if applicable, at the time of rating ^ , and the rating assigned to any particular security is not necessarily a reflection of the issuers current financial condition. The rating assigned to a security by a rating agency does not necessarily reflect its assessment of the volatility of the securitys market value or of the liquidity of an investment in the security.
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Lower Rated Securities. Investments in obligations ^ rated below investment grade and comparable securities have speculative characteristics because of the credit risk associated with their issuers. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances typically have a greater effect on the ability of issuers of lower rated investments to make principal and interest payments than they do on issuers of higher rated investments. An economic downturn generally leads to a higher non-payment rate, and a lower rated investment may lose significant value before a default occurs. Lower rated investments generally are subject to greater price volatility and illiquidity than higher rated investments.
U.S. Treasury and Government Agency Securities. ^ U.S. Treasury securities ("Treasury Securities") include U.S. Treasury obligations that differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance. Agency Securities include obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies or ^ instrumentalities and government-sponsored enterprises . Agency Securities may be guaranteed by the U.S. Government or they may be backed by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the obligations, or the credit of the agency or instrumentality. While U.S. Government agencies may be chartered or sponsored by Acts of Congress, their securities are not ^ issued, and may not be ^ guaranteed, by the U.S. Treasury. To the extent that the Fund invests in securities of ^ government- sponsored ^ enterprises , the Fund will be subject to the risks unique to such entities. ^ Government- sponsored ^ enterprises , such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac"), the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae"), the Federal Home Loan Banks ("FHLBs"), the Private Export Funding Corporation ("PEFCO"), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"), the Federal Farm Credit Banks ("FFCB") and the Tennessee Valley Authority ("TVA"), although chartered or sponsored by Congress, are not funded by congressional appropriations and the debt and mortgage-backed securities issued by them are ^ neither guaranteed nor issued by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government has recently provided financial support to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, but there can be no assurance that it will support these or other government-sponsored enterprises in the future. Treasury Securities and Agency Securities also include any security or agreement collateralized or otherwise secured by Treasury Securities or Agency Securities, respectively. As a result of their high credit quality and market liquidity, U.S. Government securities generally provide a lower current return than obligations of other issuers.
Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar Instruments. The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in Eurodollar and Yankee Dollar instruments. Eurodollar instruments are bonds that pay interest and principal in U.S. dollars held in banks outside the United States, primarily in Europe. Eurodollar instruments are usually issued on behalf of multinational companies and foreign governments by large underwriting groups composed of banks and issuing houses from many countries. Yankee Dollar instruments are U.S. dollar denominated bonds issued in the United States by foreign banks and corporations. These investments involve risks that are different from investments in securities issued by U.S. issuers, and may carry the same risks as investing in foreign securities.
Smaller Companies. Securities of smaller, less seasoned companies, which may include legally restricted securities, are generally subject to greater price fluctuations, limited liquidity, higher transaction costs and higher investment risk. Because of the absence of any public trading market for some of these investments (such as those which are legally restricted) it may take longer to liquidate these positions at fair value than would be the case for publicly traded securities.
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Pooled Investment Vehicles. Subject to applicable limitations, the Fund may invest in pooled investment vehicles, including open and closed-end investment companies unaffiliated with the investment adviser and exchange-traded funds. The market for common shares of closed-end investment companies, which are generally traded on an exchange, is affected by the demand for those securities regardless of the value for the Funds underlying portfolio assets. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees paid by pooled investment vehicles in which it invests. To the extent they exceed 0.01%, the costs associated with such investments will be reflected in Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses in Fund ^ Summary .
Illiquid 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 (such as those issued in private placements), and may include ^ commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A thereunder. Certain ^ Section 4(2) and 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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Borrowing. The Fund is authorized to borrow in accordance with applicable regulations, but currently intends to borrow only for temporary purposes (such as to satisfy redemption requests, to remain fully invested in anticipation of expected cash inflows and to settle transactions). The Fund will not purchase additional investment securities while outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of the value of its total assets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Fund may invest in cash or cash equivalents, including high quality short-term instruments or an affiliated investment vehicle that invests in such instruments, for cash management purposes. During ^ unusual market conditions, the Fund may invest up to ^ 100% of its assets in cash ^ or cash equivalents temporarily, which may be inconsistent with its investment objective ^ .
General. Unless otherwise stated, the Funds investment objective and certain other policies may be changed without shareholder approval. Shareholders will receive 60 days written notice of any material change in the 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 the Statement of Additional Information. While at times the Fund may use alternative investment strategies in an effort to limit its losses, it may choose not to do so.
The Funds 80% Policy ^ will not be changed unless shareholders are given at least 60 days advance written notice of the change and, for the purpose of such policy, ^ net assets include any assets purchased with borrowings for investment purposes.
^ The Funds investment policies include a provision allowing the Fund to invest (i) all of its investable assets in an open-end management investment company with substantially the same investment objective, policies and restrictions as the Fund; or (ii) in more than one open-end management investment company sponsored by Eaton Vance or its affiliates, provided any such companies have investment objectives, policies and restrictions that are consistent with those of 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 may initiate investments in one or more such investment companies at any time without shareholder ^ approval.
Management and Organization
Management. The Funds investment adviser is Eaton Vance Management (Eaton Vance), with offices at Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110. Eaton Vance has been managing assets since 1924 and managing mutual funds since 1931. Eaton Vance and its affiliates currently manage over $170 billion on behalf of mutual funds, institutional clients and individuals.
Eaton Vance manages the investments of the Fund and provides administrative services and related office facilities. Under its investment advisory and administrative agreement with the Fund, Eaton Vance receives a monthly advisory fee as follows:
Annual Fee Rate | |
Average Daily Net Assets | (for each level) |
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up to $500 million | 0.900% |
$500 million but less than $1 billion | 0.850% |
$1 billion but less than $2.5 billion | 0.825% |
$2.5 billion but less than $5 billion | 0.800% |
$5 billion and over | 0.780% |
Pursuant to an investment sub-advisory agreement, Eaton Vance has delegated the investment management of the Fund to Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC (RBA), a registered investment adviser. Eaton Vance pays RBA a monthly sub-advisory fee. RBA is located at 520 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor, New York, NY 10022.
Richard Bernstein is the portfolio manager of the Fund ^ since ^ it s inception in 2010. Mr. Bernstein is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of RBA (since its founding in 2009). Prior to founding RBA, Mr. Bernstein was Chief Investment Strategist (2006-2009) and Chief U.S. Strategist (2001-2006) at Merrill Lynch & Co.
The Funds shareholder report will provide information regarding the basis for the Trustees approval of the Funds investment advisory agreement.
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 Fund shares.
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund |
8 |
Prospectus dated October 12, 2010 |
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 the fees the transfer agent receives from the Eaton Vance funds.
Organization. The Fund is a series of Eaton Vance Growth Trust, a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund offers multiple classes of shares. Each Class represents a pro rata interest in the Fund but is subject to different expenses and rights. 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).
Valuing Shares
The Fund values its shares once each day only when the New York Stock Exchange (the "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 "valuation time"). The purchase price of Fund shares is their net asset value (plus a sales charge for Class A shares), which is derived from Fund holdings. When purchasing or redeeming Fund shares through a financial intermediary, your financial intermediary must receive your order not later than 4:00 p.m. in order for the purchase price or the redemption price to be based on that days net asset value per share. It is the financial intermediarys responsibility to transmit orders promptly. The Fund may accept purchase and redemption orders as of the time of their receipt by certain financial intermediaries (or their designated intermediaries).
The Trustees have adopted procedures for valuing investments and have delegated to the investment adviser or sub-adviser the daily valuation of such investments. Pursuant to the procedures, exchange-listed securities normally are valued at closing sale prices. Most debt securities are valued by an independent pricing service. In certain situations, the investment adviser or sub-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, the value of securities held by ^ the Fund can change on days when Fund shares cannot be redeemed. The investment adviser or sub-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
You may purchase shares through your financial intermediary or by mailing an account application form to the transfer agent (see back cover for address). Purchase orders will be executed at the net asset value (plus any applicable sales charge) next determined after their receipt in proper form (meaning that they are complete and contain all necessary information) by the Funds transfer agent. The Funds transfer agent or your financial intermediary must receive your purchase in proper form no later than the close of regular trading on the Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. eastern time) for your purchase to be effected at that days net asset value. If you purchase shares through a financial intermediary, that intermediary may charge you a fee for executing the purchase for you. The Fund may suspend the sale of its shares at any time and any purchase order may be refused for any reason. The Fund does not issue share certificates.
Class A and Class C Shares
Your initial investment must be at least $1,000. After your initial investment, additional investments may be made in any amount at any time by sending a 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 and Class of shares with each investment. You also may make additional investments by accessing your account via the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com. Purchases made through the Internet from a pre-designated bank account will have a trade date that is the first business day after the purchase is requested. For more information about purchasing shares through the Internet, please call 1-800-262-1122. ^
You may make automatic investments of $50 or more each month or each quarter from your bank account. You can establish bank automated investing on the account application or by providing written instructions. Please call 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (eastern time) for further information. The minimum initial investment amount and Fund policy of redeeming accounts with low account balances are waived for bank automated investing accounts (other than for Class I), certain group purchase plans (including tax-deferred retirement and other pension plans, and proprietary fee-based programs sponsored by financial intermediaries) and for persons affiliated with Eaton Vance, its affiliates and certain Fund service providers (as described in the Statement of Additional Information).
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund |
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Prospectus dated October 12, 2010 |
Class I Shares
Class I shares are offered to clients of financial intermediaries who (i) charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class I shares through a no-load network or platform. Such clients may include individuals, corporations, endowments, foundations and qualified plans (including tax-deferred retirement plans and profit sharing plans). Class I shares also are offered to investment and institutional clients of Eaton Vance and its affiliates and certain persons affiliated with Eaton Vance and certain Fund service providers. Your initial investment must be at least $250,000. Subsequent investments of any amount may be made at any time, including through automatic investment each month or quarter from your bank account. You may make automatic investments of $50 or more each month or each quarter from your bank account. You can establish bank automated investing on the account application or by providing written instructions. Please call 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (eastern time) for further information.
The minimum initial investment is waived for persons affiliated with Eaton Vance, its affiliates and certain Fund service providers (as described in the Statement of Additional Information). The initial minimum investment also is waived for individual accounts of a financial intermediary that charges an ongoing fee for its services or offers Class I shares through a no-load network or platform (in each case, as described above), provided the aggregate value of such accounts invested in Class I shares is at least $250,000 (or is anticipated by the principal underwriter to reach $250,000) and for corporations, endowments, foundations and qualified plans with assets of at least $100 million.
Class I shares may be purchased through a financial intermediary or by requesting your bank to transmit immediately available funds (Federal Funds) by wire. To make an initial investment by wire, you must complete an account application and telephone the Shareholder Services Department at 1-800-262-1122 to be assigned an account number. You may request a current account application by calling 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (eastern time). The Shareholder Services Department must be advised by telephone of each additional investment by wire.
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 all or a portion of its assets in foreign securities 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. In addition, a fund that invests in securities that are, among other things, thinly traded, traded infrequently or relatively illiquid (including restricted securities, derivatives instruments or other investments not priced by a pricing service) 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). The investment adviser and sub-adviser are authorized to use the fair value of a security if prices are unavailable or are 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 one round-trip exchange (exchanging from one fund to another fund and back again) within 90 days, it will be deemed to constitute market timing or excessive trading. Under the policies, the Fund or its principal 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 use reasonable efforts to detect market timing and excessive trading activity, but they cannot ensure that they will be able to identify all cases of market timing and excessive trading. 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.
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund |
10 |
Prospectus dated October 12, 2010 |
The following fund share transactions generally are exempt from the market timing and excessive trading policy described above because the Fund and the principal underwriter believe they generally do not raise market timing or excessive trading concerns:
It may be difficult for the Fund or the principal underwriter to identify market timing or excessive trading in omnibus accounts traded through financial intermediaries. 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. Although the Fund or the principal underwriter reviews trading activity at the omnibus account level for activity that indicates potential market timing or excessive trading activity, the Fund and the principal underwriter typically will not request or receive individual account data unless suspicious trading activity is identified. The Fund and the principal underwriter generally rely on financial intermediaries to monitor trading activity in omnibus accounts in good faith in accordance with their own or Fund policies. 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.
Choosing a Share Class. The Fund offers different classes of shares. The different classes of shares represent investments in the same portfolio of securities, but the classes are subject to different sales charges and expenses and will likely have different share prices due to differences in class expenses. In choosing the class of shares that suits your investment needs, you should consider:
Each investors considerations are different. You should speak with your financial intermediary to help you decide which class of shares is best for you. Set forth below is a brief description of each class of shares offered by the Fund.
Class A shares are offered at net asset value plus a front-end sales charge of up to 5.75%. This charge is deducted from the amount you invest. The Class A sales charge is reduced for purchases of $50,000 or more. The sales charge applicable to your purchase may be reduced under the right of accumulation or a statement of intention, which are described in Reducing or Eliminating Class A Sales Charges under Sales Charges below. Some investors may be eligible to purchase Class A shares at net asset value under certain circumstances, which are also described below. Class A shares pay distribution and service fees equal to 0.25% annually of average daily net assets. |
Class C shares are offered at net asset value with no front-end sales charge. If you sell your Class C shares within one year of purchase, you generally will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge or "CDSC". The CDSC is deducted from your redemption proceeds. Under certain circumstances, the Class C CDSC may be waived (such as certain redemptions from tax-deferred retirement plan accounts). See CDSC Waivers under Sales Charges below. Class C shares pay distribution and service fees equal to 1.00% annually of average daily net assets. Orders for Class C shares of one or more Eaton Vance funds will be refused when the total value of the purchase (including the aggregate value of all Eaton Vance fund shares held within the purchasing shareholders account) is $1,000,000 or more. Investors considering cumulative purchases of $1,000,000 or more, or who, after a purchase of shares, would own shares of Eaton Vance funds with a current market value of $1,000,000 or more, should consider whether Class A shares would be more advantageous and consult their financial intermediary. |
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund |
11 |
Prospectus dated October 12, 2010 |
Class I shares are offered to clients of financial intermediaries who (i) charge such clients an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class I shares through a no-load network or platform. Such clients may include individuals, corporations, endowments, foundations and qualified plans (as described above). Class I shares are also offered to investment and institutional clients of Eaton Vance and its affiliates and certain persons affiliated with Eaton Vance and certain Fund service providers. Class I shares do not pay distribution or service fees. |
Payments to Financial Intermediaries. In addition to payments disclosed under "Sales Charges" below, the principal underwriter, out of its own resources, may make cash payments to certain financial intermediaries 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 a financial intermediary may be significant and are typically in the form of fees based on Fund sales, assets, transactions processed and/or accounts attributable to that financial intermediary. Financial intermediaries 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 financial intermediaries to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations.
Certain financial intermediaries that maintain fund accounts for the benefit of their customers 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 financial intermediary includes any broker, dealer, bank (including bank trust departments), registered investment adviser, financial planner, a retirement plan and/or its administrator, their designated intermediaries and any other firm having a selling, administration or similar agreement with the principal underwriter or its affiliates.
Sales Charges
Class A Front-End Sales Charge. Class A shares are offered at net asset value per share plus a sales charge that is determined by the amount of your investment. The current sales charge schedule is: ^
Sales Charge* | Sales Charge* | Dealer Commission | |
as Percentage of | as Percentage of Net | as a Percentage of | |
Amount of Purchase | Offering Price | Amount Invested | Offering Price |
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Less than $50,000 | 5.75% | 6.10% | 5.00% |
$50,000 but less than $100,000 | 4.75% | 4.99% | 4.00% |
$100,000 but less than $250,000 | 3.75% | 3.90% | 3.00% |
$250,000 but less than $500,000 | 3.00% | 3.09% | 2.50% |
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000 | 2.00% | 2.04% | 1.75% |
$1,000,000 or more | 0.00** | 0.00** | 1.00% |
* | Because the offering price per share is rounded to two decimal places, the actual sales charge you pay on a purchase of Class A shares may be more or less than your total purchase amount multiplied by the applicable sales charge percentage. |
** | No sales charge is payable at the time of purchase on investments of $1 million or more. A CDSC of 1.00% will be imposed on such investments (as described below) in the event of redemptions within 18 months of purchase. |
The principal underwriter may also pay commissions of up to 1.00% on sales of Class A shares made at net asset value to certain tax-deferred retirement plans.
Reducing or Eliminating Class A Sales Charges. Front-end sales charges on purchases of Class A shares may be reduced under the right of accumulation or under a statement of intention. To receive a reduced sales charge, you must inform your financial intermediary or the Fund at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction. If you do not let your financial intermediary or the Fund know you are eligible for a reduced sales charge at the time of purchase, you will not receive the discount to which you may otherwise be entitled.
Right of Accumulation. Under the right of accumulation, the sales charge you pay is reduced if the current market value of your holdings in the Fund or any other Eaton Vance fund (based on the current maximum public offering price) plus your new purchase total $50,000 or more. Class A shares of Eaton Vance U.S. Government Money Market Fund and shares of Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves cannot be included under the right of accumulation. Shares owned by you, your spouse and children under age twenty-one may be combined for purposes of the right of accumulation, including shares held for the benefit of any of you in omnibus or street name accounts. In addition, shares held in a trust or fiduciary account of which any of the foregoing persons is the sole beneficiary (including retirement accounts) may be combined for purposes of the right of accumulation. Shares purchased and/or owned in a SEP, SARSEP and SIMPLE IRA plan also may be combined for purposes of the right of accumulation for the plan and its participants. You may be required to provide documentation to establish your ownership of shares included under the right of accumulation (such as account statements for you, your spouse and children or marriage certificates, birth certificates and/or trust or other fiduciary-related documents). |
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund |
12 |
Prospectus dated October 12, 2010 |
Statement of Intention. Under a statement of intention, purchases of $50,000 or more made over a 13-month period are eligible for reduced sales charges. Shares eligible under the right of accumulation (other than those included in employer-sponsored retirement plans) may be included to satisfy the amount to be purchased under a statement of intention. Under a statement of intention, the principal underwriter may hold 5% of the dollar amount to be purchased in escrow in the form of shares registered in your name until you satisfy the statement or the 13-month period expires. A statement of intention does not obligate you to purchase (or the Fund to sell) the full amount indicated in the statement. |
Class A shares are offered at net asset value (without a sales charge) to clients of financial intermediaries who (i) charge an ongoing fee for advisory, investment, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class A shares through a no-load network or platform. Such clients may include individuals, corporations, endowments, foundations and pension plans (including tax-deferred retirement plans and profit sharing plans). Class A shares also are offered at net asset value to investment and institutional clients of Eaton Vance and its affiliates; certain persons affiliated with Eaton Vance; and to certain fund service providers as described in the Statement of Additional Information. Class A shares may also be purchased at net asset value pursuant to the reinvestment privilege and exchange privilege and when distributions are reinvested. See Shareholder Account Features for details.
Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Class A and Class C shares are subject to a CDSC on certain redemptions. Class A shares purchased at net asset value in amounts of $ ^ 1,000,000 or more are subject to a 1.00% CDSC if redeemed within 18 months of purchase. Class C shares are subject to a 1.00% CDSC if redeemed within one year of purchase.
The sales commission payable to financial intermediaries in connection with sales of Class C shares is described under Distribution and Service Fees below.
CDSC Waivers. CDSCs are waived for certain redemptions pursuant to a Withdrawal Plan (see Shareholder Account Features) and for Class C shares, in connection with certain redemptions from tax-deferred retirement plans. The CDSC is also waived following the death of a beneficial owner of shares (a death certificate and other applicable documents may be required).
Distribution and Service Fees. ^ Class A and Class C shares have in effect plans under Rule 12b-1 that allow ^ the Fund to pay distribution fees for the sale and distribution of shares (so-called 12b-1 fees) and service fees for personal and/or shareholder account services. Class C ^ shares pay distribution fees to the principal underwriter of 0. ^ 75 % ^ of average daily net assets annually ^ . Because these fees are paid from Fund assets on an ongoing basis, they will increase your cost over time and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges. The principal underwriter compensates financial intermediaries on sales of Class C shares (except exchange transactions and reinvestments) ^ in an amount equal to 1% of the purchase price of the shares. After the first year, financial intermediaries also receive 0.75% of the value of Class C shares in annual distribution fees. Class C shares ^ also pay service fees to the principal underwriter equal to ^ 0.25 % of average daily net assets annually. Class A shares pay distribution and service fees equal to ^ 0.25% % of average daily net assets annually. After the sale of shares, the principal underwriter receives the Class A distribution ^ and service fees and the Class C service fees for one year and thereafter financial intermediaries generally receive them based on the value of shares sold by such dealers for shareholder servicing performed by such financial intermediaries ^ . Distribution and service fees are subject to the limitations contained in the sales charge rule of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
More information about sales charges is available free of charge on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com and in the Statement of Additional Information. Please consult the Eaton Vance website for any updates to sales charge information before making a purchase of Fund shares.
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund |
13 |
Prospectus dated October 12, 2010 |
Redeeming Shares
You can redeem shares in any of the following ways: ^
By Mail |
Send your request to the transfer agent along with any certificates and stock powers. The request must be signed exactly as your account is registered (for instance, a joint account must be signed by all registered owners to be accepted) and a Medallion signature guarantee may be required. You can obtain a Medallion signature guarantee at banks, savings and loan institutions, credit unions, securities dealers, securities exchanges, clearing agencies and registered securities associations that participate in The Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, Inc. (STAMP, Inc.). Only Medallion signature guarantees issued in accordance with STAMP, Inc. will be accepted. You may be asked to provide additional documents if your shares are registered in the name of a corporation, partnership or fiduciary. |
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By Telephone |
Certain shareholders can redeem by calling 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (eastern time). Proceeds of a telephone redemption are generally limited to $100,000 per account (which may include shares of one or more Eaton Vance funds) and can be sent only to the account address or to a bank pursuant to prior instructions. |
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By Internet |
Certain shareholders can redeem by logging on to the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com. Proceeds of internet redemptions are generally limited to $100,000 per account (which may include shares of one or more Eaton Vance funds) and can be sent only to the account address or to a bank pursuant to prior instructions. |
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For Additional Information |
Please call 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (eastern time). |
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Through a Financial Intermediary |
Your financial intermediary is responsible for transmitting the order promptly. A financial intermediary 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 in proper form (meaning that it is complete and contains all necessary information) by the Funds transfer agent or your financial intermediary. Your redemption proceeds normally will be paid in cash within seven days, reduced by the amount of any applicable CDSC and any federal income tax required to be withheld. Payments will be sent by regular mail. However, if you have given complete written authorization in advance, you may request that the redemption proceeds be wired directly to your bank account. The bank designated may be any bank in the United States. The request may be made by calling 1-800-262-1122 or by sending a Medallion signature guaranteed letter of instruction to the transfer agent (see back cover for address). ^ Certain redemption requests including those involving shares held by certain corporations , trusts ^ or certain other entities and shares that are subject to certain fiduciary arrangements may ^ require additional ^ documentation and may be redeemed only by mail . You may be required to pay the costs of such transaction by the Fund or your bank. No costs are currently charged by the Fund. However, charges may apply for expedited mail delivery services. The Fund may suspend or terminate the expedited payment procedure upon at least 30 days notice.
If you recently purchased shares, the proceeds of a redemption will not be sent until the purchase check (including a certified or cashiers check) has cleared. If the purchase check has not cleared, redemption proceeds may be delayed up to 15 days from the purchase date. If your account value falls below $750 (other than due to market decline), you may be asked either to add to your account or redeem it within 60 days. If you take no action, your account will be redeemed and the proceeds sent to you.
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.
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund |
14 |
Prospectus dated October 12, 2010 |
Shareholder Account Features
Distributions. You may have your Fund distributions paid in one of the following ways:
Full Reinvest Option |
Distributions are reinvested in additional shares. This option will be assigned if you do not specify an option. |
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Partial Reinvest Option Cash Option Exchange Option |
Dividends are paid in cash and capital gains are reinvested in additional shares. Distributions are paid in cash. Distributions are reinvested in additional shares of any class of another Eaton Vance fund chosen by you, subject to the terms of that funds prospectus. Before selecting this option, you must obtain a prospectus of the other fund and consider its objectives, risks, and charges and expenses carefully. |
Information about the Fund. From time to time, you may receive the following:
Most fund information (including semiannual and annual reports, prospectuses and proxy statements) as well as your periodic account statements can be delivered electronically. For more information please go to www.eatonvance.com/edelivery.
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 that is filed with the SEC is posted on the Eaton Vance website approximately 60 days after the end of the quarter to which it relates. Portfolio holdings information as of each calendar quarter end is posted to the website 30 days after such quarter end. 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 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.
Withdrawal Plan. You may redeem shares on a regular periodic basis by establishing a systematic withdrawal plan. Withdrawals will not be subject to any applicable CDSC if they are, in the aggregate, less than or equal to 12% annually of the greater of either the initial account balance or the current account balance. Because purchases of Class A shares are generally subject to an initial sales charge, Class A shareholders should not make withdrawals from their accounts while also making purchases.
Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans. Distributions will be invested in additional shares for all tax-deferred retirement plans.
Exchange Privilege. You may exchange your Fund shares for shares of the same Class of another Eaton Vance fund. Exchanges are made at net asset value. If your shares are subject to a CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares at the same CDSC rate. For purposes of the CDSC, your shares will continue to age from the date of your original purchase of Fund shares.
Before exchanging, you should read the prospectus of the new fund carefully. Exchanges are subject to the terms applicable to purchases of the new funds shares as set forth in its prospectus. If you wish to exchange shares, write to the transfer agent (see back cover for address), log on to your account at www.eatonvance.com or call 1-800-262-1122. Periodic automatic exchanges are also available. The exchange privilege may be changed or discontinued at any time. You will receive at least 60 days notice of any material change to the privilege. This privilege may not be used for market timing and may be terminated for market timing accounts or for any other reason. For additional information, see "Restrictions on Excessive Trading and Market Timing" under "Purchasing Shares".
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund |
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Prospectus dated October 12, 2010 |
Reinvestment Privilege. If you redeem shares, you may reinvest at net asset value all or any portion of the redemption proceeds in the same class of shares of the Fund you redeemed from, provided that the reinvestment occurs within 60 days of the redemption, and the privilege has not been used more than once in the prior 12 months. Under these circumstances your account will be credited with any CDSC paid in connection with the redemption. Any CDSC period applicable to the shares you acquire upon reinvestment will run from the date of your original share purchase. Reinvestment requests must be in writing. At the time of a reinvestment, you or your financial intermediary must notify the Fund or the transfer agent that you are reinvesting redemption proceeds in accordance with this privilege. If you reinvest, your purchase will be at the next determined net asset value following receipt of your request.
Telephone and Electronic Transactions. You can redeem or exchange shares by telephone as described in this Prospectus. In addition, certain transactions may be conducted through the Eaton Vance website. 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 recorded.
Street Name Accounts. If your shares are held in a street name account at a financial intermediary, that intermediary (and not the Fund or its transfer agent) will perform all recordkeeping, transaction processing and distribution payments. Because the Fund will have no record of your transactions, you should contact your financial intermediary to purchase, redeem or exchange shares, to make changes in your account, or to obtain account information. You will not be able to utilize a number of shareholder features, such as telephone transactions, directly with the Fund. If you transfer shares in a street name account to an account with another financial intermediary or to an account directly with the Fund, you should obtain historical information about your shares prior to the transfer.
Procedures for Opening New Accounts. To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each new customer who opens a Fund account and to determine whether such persons name appears on government lists of known or suspected terrorists or terrorist organizations. When you open an account, the transfer agent or your financial intermediary will ask you for your name, address, date of birth (for individuals), residential or business street address (although post office boxes are still permitted for mailing) and social security number, taxpayer identification number, or other government-issued identifying number. You also may be asked to produce a copy of your drivers license, passport or other identifying documents in order to verify your identity. In addition, it may be necessary to verify your identity by cross-referencing your identification information with a consumer report or other electronic databases. Other information or documents may be required to open accounts for corporations and other entities. Federal law prohibits the Fund and other financial institutions from opening a new account unless they receive the minimum identifying information described above. 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 financial intermediary 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 or documents 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 at the net asset value next determined. If the Funds net asset value has decreased since your purchase, you will lose money as a result of this redemption. The Fund has also designated an anti-money laundering compliance officer.
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 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (eastern time), or write to the transfer agent (see back cover for address).
Additional Tax Information
The Fund intends to declare and pay distributions annually. Dividends may not be paid if Fund (and Class) expenses exceed Fund income for the period. Different Classes of the Fund will generally distribute different dividend amounts. ^ The Fund makes distributions of net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually.
A portion of any distribution of the Funds investment income may, and any distribution by the Fund of net realized short-term capital gains will, be taxed as ordinary income. Distributions of any net long-term capital gains will be taxed as long-term capital gains. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her shares in the Fund. For taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010, distributions of investment income designated by the Fund as derived from "qualified dividend income" (as further described in the Statement of Additional Information) will be taxable to shareholders at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain provided holding period and other requirements are met by both the shareholder and the Fund. Over time, distributions by the Fund can
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generally be expected to include ordinary income, qualified dividend income and capital gain distributions taxable as long-term capital gains. A portion of the Funds income distributions may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporations. 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. Certain distributions paid in January may be taxable to shareholders as if received on December 31 of the prior year. A redemption of Fund shares, including an exchange for shares of another fund, is a taxable transaction.
Investments in foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes or other foreign taxes with respect to income (possibly including, in some cases, capital gains), which would decrease the Funds income on such securities. Shareholders generally will not be entitled to claim a credit or deduction ^ 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 or amount of the Funds distributions.
Shareholders should consult with their advisers concerning the applicability of federal, state, local and other taxes to an investment.
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More Information
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 will be 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.
Two International Place Boston, MA 02110 1-800-262-1122 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 1-800-732-0330 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, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549-0102, or by electronic mail at publicinfo@sec.gov. |
Shareholder Inquiries: You can obtain more information from Eaton Vance Shareholder Services or the Fund transfer agent, BNY Mellon Asset Servicing. If you own shares and would like to add to, redeem or change your account, please write or call below: |
The Funds Investment Company Act No. is 811-01214. | RBMMEP |
4822-10/10 | © 2010 Eaton Vance Management |
^ |
STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION October 12, 2010 |
^ |
^
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund |
Class A Shares - ERBAX Class C Shares - ERBCX Class I Shares - ERBIX |
Two International Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02110 1-800-262-1122 |
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides general information about the Fund. The Fund is a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund is a series of Eaton Vance Growth 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 | 18 | |
Investment Restrictions | ^ 8 | Sales Charges | ^ 19 | |
Management and Organization | ^ 9 | Performance | 21 | |
Investment Advisory and Administrative Services | 15 ^ | Taxes | ^ 23 | |
Other Service Providers | ^ 17 | Portfolio Securities Transactions | ^ 27 | |
Calculation of Net Asset Value | ^ 17 | Financial Statements | ^ 28 | |
Appendix A: Class A Fees, Performance and Ownership | 29 | Appendix D: ^ Eaton Vance Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures | 32 | |
Appendix B: Class C Fees, Performance and Ownership | 30 | |||
^ | ^ | Appendix E: ^ Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC Proxy Voting Policies and | ||
Procedures | 34 | |||
Appendix C: Class I Performance and Ownership | 31 |
This SAI is NOT a ^ prospectus and is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only if preceded or accompanied by the Fund Prospectus dated October 12, 2010, 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 1-800-262-1122.
© 2010 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; IRS for the Internal Revenue Service; Code for the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; 1940 Act for the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended; 1933 Act for the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; and FINRA for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
STRATEGIES AND RISKS |
^ Principal strategies ^ are ^ defined in the Prospectus. The following is a description of the various investment practices that may be engaged in, whether as a principal 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) ^ .
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. 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, 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, may not pass-through voting or other shareholder rights and may be less liquid.
Emerging Markets. Securities markets in emerging market countries are undergoing a period of growth and change which may result in trading volatility and difficulties in the settlement and recording of transactions, and in interpreting and applying the relevant law and regulations. The securities industry in these countries are comparatively undeveloped. Securities brokers and other intermediaries in emerging market countries may not perform as well as their counterparts in the United States and other more developed securities markets.
Emerging market countries may have relatively unstable governments and economies based on only a few industries. The value of Fund shares will likely be particularly sensitive to changes in the economies of such countries (such as reversals of economic liberalization, political unrest or changes in trading status). Additionally, changes in governments and economies of such countries may result in capital controls or other regulatory measures that may affect the Funds ability to satisfy redemptions.
Due to market illiquidity, capital restrictions, withholding taxes and portfolio allocation considerations, a portfolio may obtain synthetic exposure to emerging markets by holding derivatives along with cash equivalents, Treasuries, Agency MBS, or other high credit quality investments. Certain countries may require withholding on dividends paid on portfolio securities and on realized capital gains. In the past, these taxes have sometimes been substantial. There can be no assurance that repatriation of the Funds income, gains or initial capital from these countries can occur.
Equity Investments. Equity investments include common and preferred stocks; equity interests in trusts, partnerships, joint ventures and other unincorporated entities or enterprises; convertible preferred stocks and other convertible debt instruments; and warrants.
^
Fixed-Income Securities. The Fund may purchase fixed-income securities. Fixed-income securities include convertible bonds and convertible stocks and corporate debt securities. During an economic downturn, the ability of issuers to service their debt may be impaired. In the case of a default, the Fund may retain a defaulted security when the investment adviser deems it advisable to do so. In the case of a defaulted obligation, the Fund may incur additional expense seeking recovery of an investment that is in default.
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While lower rated debt securities may have some quality and protective characteristics, these characteristics can be expected to be offset or outweighed by uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions. Lower rated and comparable unrated securities are subject to the risk of an issuers inability to meet principal and interest payments on the securities (credit risk) and may also be subject to greater price volatility due to such factors as interest rate sensitivity, market perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and general market liquidity (market risk). Lower rated or unrated securities are also more likely to react to real or perceived developments affecting market and credit risk than are more highly rated securities, which react primarily to movements in the general level of interest rates.
Obligations of U.S. and Foreign Banks. Investments by the Fund may be made in U.S. dollar-denominated time deposits, certificates of deposit and bankers acceptances of U.S. banks and their branches located outside of the U.S., of U.S. branches of foreign banks, and foreign branches of foreign banks. The Fund may also invest in U.S. dollar-denominated securities issued or guaranteed by other domestic or foreign issuers, including domestic and foreign corporations or other business organizations, foreign governments and foreign government agencies or instrumentalities, and domestic and foreign financial institutions, including but not limited to savings and loan institutions, insurance companies, mortgage bankers and real estate investment trusts, as well as banks.
The obligations of foreign branches of U.S. banks may be general obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by governmental regulation. Payment of interest and principal upon these obligations may also be affected by governmental action in the country of domicile of the branch (generally referred to as sovereign risk). In addition, evidences of ownership of portfolio securities may be held outside of the U.S. and the Fund may be subject to the risks associated with the holding of such property overseas. Various provisions of federal law governing the establishment and operation of domestic branches do not apply to foreign branches of domestic banks.
The obligations of U.S. branches of foreign banks may be general obligations of the parent bank in addition to the issuing branch, or may be limited by the terms of a specific obligation and by federal and state regulation as well as by governmental action in the country in which the foreign bank has its head office.
The obligations of foreign issuers also involve certain additional risks, including the risks of adverse political, social and economic developments, the imposition of withholding taxes on interest income, seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits, exchange controls, and the adoption of foreign governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such obligations. Foreign issuers may be subject to less governmental regulation and supervision than U.S. issuers. Foreign issuers also generally are not bound by uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers.
Derivative Instruments. Derivative instruments (which are instruments that derive their value from another instrument, security, index or currency) may be used to enhance return (which may be considered speculative), to seek to hedge against fluctuations in securities prices, interest rates 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 forward or futures contracts; option on futures contracts; exchange-traded and over-the counter options forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The Fund may enter into derivatives transactions with respect to any security or other instrument in which it is permitted to invest. The Fund incurs costs in opening and closing derivatives positions.
The Fund may use derivative instruments and trading strategies, including the following:
Options on Securities Indices and Currencies. The Fund may engage in transactions in exchange traded and over-the-counter (OTC) options. In general, exchange-traded options have standardized exercise prices and expiration dates and require the parties to post margin against their obligations, and the performance of the parties' obligations in connection with such options is guaranteed by the exchange or a related clearing corporation. OTC options have more flexible terms negotiated between the buyer and the seller, but generally do not require the parties to post margin and are subject to greater credit risk. OTC options also involve greater liquidity risk. The Staff of the SEC takes the position that certain purchased OTC options, and assets used as cover for written OTC options, are illiquid. |
Call Options. A purchased call option gives the Fund the right to buy, and obligates the seller to sell, the underlying instrument at the exercise price at any time during the option period. The Fund also may purchase and sell call options on indices. Index options are similar to options on securities except that, rather than taking or making delivery of securities underlying the option at a specified price upon exercise, an index option gives the holder the right to receive cash upon exercise of the option if the level of the index upon which the option is based is greater than the exercise price of the option. |
The Fund also is authorized to write (i.e., sell) call options and to enter into closing purchase transactions with respect to certain of such options. A covered call option is an option in which the Fund, in return for a premium, gives another party a right to buy specified securities owned by the Fund at a specified future date and price set at the time of the contract. |
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The principal reason for writing call options is the attempt to realize, through the receipt of premiums, a greater return than would be realized on the securities alone. By writing covered call options, the Fund gives up the opportunity, while the option is in effect, to profit from any price increase in the underlying security above the option exercise price. In addition, the Fund's ability to sell the underlying security will be limited while the option is in effect unless the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction. A closing purchase transaction cancels out the Fund's position as the writer of an option by means of an offsetting purchase of an identical option prior to the expiration of the option it has written. Covered call options also serve as a partial hedge to the extent of the premium received against the price of the underlying security declining. While the Fund generally will write only covered call options, the Fund may sell a stock underlying a call option prior to entering into a closing purchase transaction on up to 5% of the Funds net assets, provided that such sale will not occur more than three days prior to the option buy back. Uncovered calls have speculative characteristics and are riskier than covered calls because there is no underlying security held by the Fund that can act as a partial hedge. |
Put Options. The Fund is authorized to purchase put options to seek to hedge against a decline in the value of its securities or to seek return. By buying a put option, the Fund acquires a right to sell the underlying securities or instruments at the exercise price, thus limiting the Fund's risk of loss through a decline in the market value of the securities or instruments until the put option expires. The amount of any appreciation in the value of the underlying securities or instruments will be partially offset by the amount of the premium paid for the put option and any related transaction costs. Prior to its expiration, a put option may be sold in a closing sale transaction and profit or loss from the sale will depend on whether the amount received is more or less than the premium paid for the put option plus the related transaction costs. A closing sale transaction cancels out the Fund's position as the purchaser of an option by means of an offsetting sale of an identical option prior to the expiration of the option it has purchased. The Fund also may purchase uncovered put options. |
The Fund also has authority to write (i.e., sell) put options. The Fund will receive a premium for writing a put option, which increases the Fund's return. The Fund has the obligation to buy the securities or instruments at an agreed upon price if the price of the securities or instruments decreases below the exercise price. |
There are several risks associated with transactions in options on securities and indexes. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition, a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded OTC or on a national securities exchange may be absent for reasons which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by a national securities exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on a national securities exchange; the facilities of a national securities exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation (the "OCC") may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or one or more national securities exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market on that national securities exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued by the OCC as a result of trades on that national securities exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms. |
Options transactions are subject to limitations established by each of the exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities on which such options are traded. These limitations govern the maximum number of options in each class which may be written or purchased by a single investor or group of investors acting in concert, regardless of whether the options are written or purchased on the same or different exchanges, boards of trade or other trading facilities or are held or written in one or more accounts or through one or more brokers. Thus, the number of options that may be purchased or sold may be affected by options sold or purchased by other investment advisory clients of the investment adviser. An exchange, board of trade or other trading facility may order the liquidation of positions found to be in excess of these limits, and may impose certain other sanctions. |
Futures. The Fund may engage in transactions in futures and options on futures. Futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts that obligate a purchaser to take delivery, and a seller to make delivery, of a specific amount of an asset at a specified future date at a specified price. No price is paid upon entering into a futures contract. Rather, upon purchasing or selling a futures contract the Fund is required to deposit collateral ("margin") equal to a percentage (generally less than 10%) of the contract value. Each day thereafter until the futures position is closed, the Fund will pay additional margin representing any loss experienced as a result of the futures position the prior day or be entitled to a payment representing any profit experienced as a result of the futures position the prior day. Futures involve substantial leverage risk. |
The sale of a futures contract limits the Fund's risk of loss from a decline in the market value of portfolio holdings correlated with the futures contract prior to the futures contract's expiration date. In the event the market value of the portfolio holdings |
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correlated with the futures contract increases rather than decreases, however, the Fund will realize a loss on the futures position and a lower return on the portfolio holdings than would have been realized without the purchase of the futures contract.
The purchase of a futures contract may protect the Fund from having to pay more for securities as a consequence of increases in the market value for such securities during a period when the Fund was attempting to identify specific securities in which to invest in a market the Fund believes to be attractive. In the event that such securities decline in value or the Fund determines not to complete an anticipatory hedge transaction relating to a futures contract, however, the Fund may realize a loss relating to the futures position.
The Fund is also authorized to purchase or sell call and put options on futures contracts including financial futures and stock indices. Generally, these strategies would be used under the same market and market sector conditions (i.e., conditions relating to specific types of investments) in which the Fund entered into futures transactions. The Fund may purchase put options or write call options on futures contracts and stock indices in lieu of selling the underlying futures contract in anticipation of a decrease in the market value of its securities. Similarly, the Fund can purchase call options, or write put options on futures contracts and stock indices, as a substitute for the purchase of such futures to hedge against the increased cost resulting from an increase in the market value of securities which the Fund intends to purchase.
Risks Associated with Futures. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts and options are (a) the imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the instruments held by the Fund and the price of the futures contract or option; (b) possible lack of a liquid secondary market for a futures contract and the resulting inability to close a futures contract when desired; (c) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which are potentially unlimited; (d) the investment advisers inability to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors; and (e) the possibility that the counterparty will default in the performance of its obligations.
The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term Commodity Pool Operator (CPO) under the Commodity Exchange Act and therefore is not subject to registration as a CPO.
Foreign Currency Transactions. The Fund may engage in spot transactions and forward foreign currency exchange contracts and currency swaps, purchase and sell options on currencies and purchase and sell currency futures and related options thereon (collectively, "Currency Instruments") for purposes of hedging against the decline in the value of currencies in which its portfolio holdings are denominated against the U.S. dollar. Such transactions could be effected with respect to hedges on foreign dollar denominated securities owned by the Fund, sold by the Fund but not yet delivered, or committed or anticipated to be purchased by the Fund.
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are OTC contracts to purchase or sell a specified amount of a specified currency or multinational currency unit at a price and future date set at the time of the contract. Spot foreign exchange transactions are similar but require current, rather than future, settlement. The Fund will enter into foreign exchange transactions for purposes of hedging either a specific transaction or a portfolio position.
Proxy hedging is often used when the currency to which the Fund is exposed is difficult to hedge or to hedge against the dollar. Proxy hedging entails entering into a forward contract to sell a currency whose changes in value are generally considered to be linked to a currency or currencies in which some or all of the Fund's securities are, or are expected to be, denominated, and to buy U.S. dollars. Proxy hedging involves some of the same risks and considerations as other transactions with similar instruments. Currency transactions can result in losses to the Fund if the currency being hedged fluctuates in value to a degree or in a direction that is not anticipated. In addition, there is the risk that the perceived linkage between various currencies may not be present or may not be present during the particular time that the Fund is engaged in proxy hedging. The Fund may also cross-hedge currencies by entering into forward contracts to sell one or more currencies that are expected to decline in value relative to other currencies to which the Fund has or in which the Fund expects to have portfolio exposure.
Some of the forward foreign currency contracts entered into by the Fund are classified as non-deliverable forwards ("NDF"). NDFs are cash-settled, short-term forward contracts that may be thinly traded or are denominated in non-convertible foreign currency, where the profit or loss at the time of settlement is calculated by taking the difference between the agreed upon exchange rate and the spot rate at the time of settlement, for an agreed upon notional amount of funds. NDFs are commonly quoted for time periods of one month up to two years, and are normally quoted and settled in U.S. dollars. They are often used to gain exposure to and/or hedge exposure to foreign currencies that are not internationally traded.
Currency Futures . The Fund may also seek to enhance returns or hedge against the decline in the value of a currency through use of currency futures or options thereon. Currency futures are similar to forward foreign exchange transactions except that futures are standardized, exchange-traded contracts while forward foreign exchange transactions are traded in the OTC market. Currency futures involve substantial currency risk, and also involve leverage risk.
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Currency Options. The Fund may also seek to enhance returns or hedge against the decline in the value of a currency through the use of currency options. Currency options are similar to options on securities. For example, in consideration for an option premium the writer of a currency option is obligated to sell (in the case of a call option) or purchase (in the case of a put option) a specified amount of a specified currency on or before the expiration date for a specified amount of another currency. The Fund may engage in transactions in options on currencies either on exchanges or OTC markets. Currency options involve substantial currency risk, and may also involve credit, leverage or liquidity risk. |
Risk Factors in Hedging Foreign Currency. Hedging transactions involving Currency Instruments involve substantial risks, including correlation risk. Although Currency Instruments will be used with the intention of hedging against adverse currency movements, transactions in Currency Instruments involve the risk that anticipated currency movements will not be accurately predicted and that the Fund's hedging strategies will be ineffective. To the extent that the Fund hedges against anticipated currency movements that do not occur, the Fund may realize losses and decrease its total return as the result of its hedging transactions. Furthermore, the Fund will only engage in hedging activities from time to time and may not be engaging in hedging activities when movements in currency exchange rates occur. |
Swap Agreements. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year. In a standard "swap" transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which can be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or "swapped" between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a "notional amount," i.e., the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate or in a "basket" of securities representing a particular index. |
Whether the Fund's use of swap agreements or swaptions will be successful in furthering its investment objectives will depend on the investment adviser's ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Because they are two-party contracts and because they may have terms of greater than seven days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. Moreover, the Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. The Fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. If there is a default by the other party to such a transaction, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. Swap agreements are also subject to the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its obligations to the counterparty. The Fund, however, will segregate liquid assets equal to or greater than the market value of the liabilities under the swap agreement or the amount it would cost the Fund initially to make an equivalent direct investment, plus or minus any amount the Fund is obligated to pay or is to receive under the swap agreement. The swap market has grown substantially in recent years with a large number of banks and investment banking firms acting both as principals and as agents utilizing standardized swap documentation. As a result, the swap market has become relatively liquid. The swaps market is largely unregulated. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect the Fund's ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements. |
Equity-Linked Securities. The Fund may invest in privately issued securities whose investment results are designed to correspond generally to the performance of a specified stock index or basket of securities, or sometimes a single stock (referred to as equity-linked securities). These securities are used for many of the same purposes as derivative instruments and share many of the same risks. Equity-linked securities may be considered illiquid and thus subject to the Funds restrictions on investments in illiquid securities.
When-Issued Securities. The Fund may purchase debt securities on a when-issued basis; that is delivery and payment for the securities normally take place up to 90 days after the date of the transaction. The payment obligation and the interest rate that will be received on the securities are fixed at the time the Fund enters into the purchase commitment. Securities purchased on a when-issued basis are subject to changes in value. Therefore, to the extent that the Fund remains substantially fully invested at the same time that it has purchased securities on a when-issued basis, there will be greater fluctuations in the Funds net asset value than if it solely set aside cash to pay for when-issued securities.
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements (the purchase of a security coupled with an agreement to resell at a specified date and price) with respect to its permitted investments. In the event of the bankruptcy of the counterparty to a repurchase agreement, recovery of cash may be delayed. To the extent that, in the meantime, the value of the purchased securities may have decreased, a loss could result. Repurchase agreements which mature in more than seven days will be treated as illiquid. The terms of a repurchase agreement 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.
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^ Other Investment ^ Companies . The Fund reserves the right to invest up to 10% of its total assets, calculated at the time of purchase, in the securities of ^ other investment companies unaffiliated with the investment adviser that have the characteristics of closed-end investment ^ companies and which may invest in foreign markets . The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by ^ investment ^ companies in which it invests in addition to the ^ advisory ^ fees paid by the Fund . The value of closed-end investment company securities, which are usually traded on an exchange, is affected by demand for the securities themselves, independent of the demand for the underlying portfolio assets. Accordingly, such securities can trade at a discount from their net asset values . Please refer to ^ " Cash Equivalents ^ " for additional information about ^ investment in other investment companies. The 10% limitation does not apply to ^ the Funds investment in money market ^ funds . If the Fund invests in an affiliated money market fund or similar fund that charges a management fee, then the allocable portion of the management fee paid on such investment will be credited against the ^ Funds advisory fee.
Exchange-Traded Funds. The Fund may invest in shares of exchange-traded funds (collectively, ETFs), which are designed to provide investment results corresponding to an index. These indexes may be either broad-based, sector or international and may include Standard & Poors Depositary Receipts (SPDRs), DIAMONDS, Nasdaq-100 Index Tracking Stock (also referred to as Nasdaq-100 Shares), iShares exchange-traded funds ("iShares"), such as iShares Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund and HOLDRS (Holding Company Depositary Receipts). ETFs usually are units of beneficial interest in an investment trust or represent undivided ownership interests in a portfolio of securities (or commodities), in each case with respect to a portfolio of all or substantially all of the component securities of, and in substantially the same weighting as, the relevant benchmark index. The benchmark indices of SPDRs, DIAMONDS and Nasdaq-100 Shares are the Standard & Poors 500 Stock Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq-100 Index, respectively. The benchmark index for iShares varies, generally corresponding to the name of the particular iShares fund. ETFs are designed to provide investment results that generally correspond to the price and yield performance of the component securities (or commodities) of the benchmark index. ETFs are listed on an exchange and trade in the secondary market on a per-share basis.
Investments in ETFs are generally subject to limits in the 1940 Act on investments in other investment companies. The values of ETFs are subject to change as the values of their respective component securities (or commodities) fluctuate according to market volatility. Investments in ETFs that are designed to correspond to an equity index involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments in a broadly based portfolio of common stocks, including the risk that the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of ETFs invested in by the Fund. Moreover, the Funds investments in ETFs may not exactly match the performance of a direct investment in the respective indices to which they are intended to correspond due to the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or other extraordinary circumstances, such as discrepancies with respect to the weighting of securities.
Typically, ETF programs bear their own operational expenses, which are deducted from the dividends paid to investors. To the extent that the Fund invests in ETFs, the Fund must bear these expenses in addition to the expenses of its own operation.
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.
Illiquid Securities. The Fund may invest not more than 15% of net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities legally restricted as to resale, and may include commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A thereunder. Section 4(2) and Rule 144A securities may, however, be treated as liquid by the investment adviser pursuant to procedures adopted by the Trustees, which require consideration of factors such as trading activity, availability of market quotations and number of dealers willing to purchase the security. If the Fund invests in Rule 144A securities, the level of portfolio illiquidity may be increased to the extent that eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing such securities.
It may be difficult to sell such securities at a price representing the fair value until such time as such securities may be sold publicly. Where registration is required, a considerable period may elapse between a decision to sell the securities and the time when it would be permitted to sell. Thus, the Fund may not be able to obtain as favorable a price as that prevailing at the time of the decision to sell. The Fund may also acquire securities through private placements under which it may agree to contractual restrictions on the resale of such securities. Such restrictions might prevent their sale at a time when such sale would otherwise be desirable.
ReFlow Liquidity Program. The Fund may participate in the ReFlow liquidity program, which is designed to provide an alternative liquidity source for mutual funds experiencing net redemptions of their shares. Pursuant to the program, ReFlow Fund, LLC (ReFlow) provides participating mutual funds with a source of cash to meet net shareholder redemptions by standing ready
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SAI dated October 12, 2010 |
each business day to purchase fund shares up to the value of the net shares redeemed by other shareholders that are to settle the next business day. Following purchases of fund shares, ReFlow then generally redeems those shares when the fund experiences net sales, at the end of a maximum holding period determined by ReFlow (currently 28 days) or at other times at ReFlows discretion. While ReFlow holds fund shares, it will have the same rights and privileges with respect to those shares as any other shareholder. For use of the ReFlow service, a fund pays a fee to ReFlow each time it purchases fund shares, calculated by applying to the purchase amount a fee rate determined through an automated daily auction among participating mutual funds. The current minimum fee rate is 0.15% of the value of the fund shares purchased by ReFlow although the fund may submit a bid at a higher fee rate if it determines that doing so is in the best interest of fund shareholders. Such fee is allocated among a funds share classes based on relative net assets. ReFlows purchases of fund shares through the liquidity program are made on an investment-blind basis without regard to the funds objective, policies or anticipated performance. ReFlow will purchase Class I shares at net asset value and will not be subject to any sales charge, investment minimum or redemption fee applicable to such shares. Investments in a fund by ReFlow in connection with the ReFlow liquidity program are not subject to the round trip limitation described in Restrictions on Excessive Trading and Market Timing under Purchasing Shares in the prospectus. In accordance with federal securities laws, ReFlow is prohibited from acquiring more than 3% of the outstanding voting securities of a fund. The investment adviser believes that the program assists in stabilizing the Funds net assets to the benefit of the Fund and its shareholders. To the extent the Funds net assets do not decline, the investment adviser may also benefit.
Cash Equivalents. The Fund may invest in cash equivalents to invest daily cash balances or for temporary defensive purposes. 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 and may include an affiliated money market fund which invests in such short-term securities.
Portfolio Turnover. The Fund cannot accurately predict its portfolio turnover rate, but the annual turnover rate may exceed 100% (excluding turnover of securities having a maturity of one year or less). A high turnover rate (100% or more) necessarily involves greater expenses to the Fund.
Diversified Status. The Fund is a diversified investment company under the 1940 Act. This means that with respect to 75% of its total assets: (1) it may not invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer (except obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities); and (2) it may not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer (which generally is inapplicable because debt obligations are not voting securities). With respect to no more than 25% of its total assets, investments are not subject to the foregoing restrictions.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS |
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) | Underwrite or participate in the marketing of securities of others, except insofar as it may technically be deemed to be an underwriter in selling a portfolio security under circumstances which may require the registration of the same under the Securities Act of 1933; |
(4) | Purchase 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; |
(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; |
(6) | With respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets (taken at current value) in the securities of any one issuer, or invest in more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer, except obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities and except securities of other investment companies; or |
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SAI dated October 12, 2010 |
(7) | Concentrate its investments in any particular industry, but, if deemed appropriate for the Funds objective, up to (but less than) 25% of the value of its assets may be invested in securities of companies in any one industry (although more than 25% may be invested in securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities). |
In addition, the Fund may: |
(8) | Purchase and sell commodities and commodities contracts of all types and kinds (including without limitation futures contracts, options on futures contracts and other commodities-related investments) to the extent permitted by law. |
For purposes of determining industry classifications, the investment adviser considers an issuer to be in a particular industry if a third party has designated the issuer to be in that industry, unless the investment adviser is aware of circumstances that make the third partys classification inappropriate. In such a case, the investment adviser will assign an industry classification to the issuer.
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). The Fund will not borrow more than 5% of its total assets except to satisfy redemption requests or for other temporary purposes. The Fund may not purchase additional investment securities while outstanding borrowings exceed 5% of the value of its total assets.
Notwithstanding its investment policies and restrictions, the Fund may in compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act invest (i) all of its investable assets in an open-end management investment company with substantially the same investment objective(s), policies and restrictions as the Fund; or (ii) in more than one open-end management investment company sponsored by Eaton Vance or its affiliates, provided any such company has investment objective(s), policies and restrictions that are consistent with those of the Fund.
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 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 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.
MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION |
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 Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used in this SAI, BMR ^ " refers to Boston Management and Research, EVC refers to Eaton Vance Corp., EV refers to Eaton Vance,
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SAI dated October 12, 2010 |
Inc ^ ., EVD refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. and Eaton Vance refers to Eaton Vance Management (see ^ Principal Underwriter ^ under ^ Other Service Providers ^ ). EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of Eaton Vance and BMR. ^ 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. ^
Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex Overseen By Trustee (1) |
|||||
Trust
Position(s) |
Term of Office and
Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
and Other Relevant Experience |
Other Directorships Held
During Last Five Years ( 2) |
||
Name and Date of Birth | |||||
Interested Trustee | |||||
THOMAS E. FAUST JR. | Trustee and | Trustee since | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and | 184 | Director of EVC. |
5/31/58 | President of | 2007 and | President of EV, Chie f Executive Officer and President of Eaton Vance | ||
the Trust | President of | and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of 184 | |||
the Trust since | registered investment companies and 1 private investment | ||||
2002 | company managed by Eaton Vance or BMR. Mr. Faust is an | ||||
interested person because of his positions with BMR, Eaton Vance, | |||||
EVC, EVD and EV, which are affiliates of the Trust. | |||||
Noninterested Trustees | |||||
BENJAMIN C. ESTY | Trustee | Since 2005 | Roy and Elizabeth Simmons Professor of Business Administration and | 184 | None |
1/2/63 | Finance Unit Head, Harvard University Graduate School of Business | ||||
Administration. | |||||
ALLEN R. FREEDMAN | Trustee | Since 2007 | Private Investor and Consultant. Former Chairman (2002-2004) and | 184 | Director of Assurant, Inc. |
4/3/40 | a Director (1983-2004) of Systems & Computer Technology Corp. | (insurance provider), and | |||
(provider of software to higher education). Formerly, a Director of | Stonemor Partners L.P. (owner | ||||
Loring Ward International (fund distributor) (2005-2007). Formerly, | and operator of cemeteries). | ||||
Chairman and a Director of Indus International, Inc. (provider of | |||||
enterprise management software to the power generating industry) | |||||
(2005-2007). | |||||
WILLIAM H. PARK | Trustee | Since 2003 | Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty |
184 |
None |
9/19/47 | finance company) (since 2006). Formerly, President and Chief | ||||
Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment | |||||
management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President | |||||
and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation | |||||
(an institutional investment management firm) (1982-2001). | |||||
Formerly, Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now | |||||
PricewaterhouseCoopers) (an independent registered public | |||||
accounting firm) (1972-1981). | |||||
RONALD A. PEARLMAN | Trustee | Since 2003 | Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center. Formerly, | 184 | None |
7/10/40 | Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax Policy) and Assistant Secretary (Tax | ||||
Policy), U.S. Department of the Treasury (1983-1985). Formerly, | |||||
Chief of Staff, Joint Committee on Taxation, U.S. Congress (1988- | |||||
1990). | |||||
HELEN FRAME PETERS | Trustee | Since 2008 | Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. | 184 | Director of BJs Wholesale Club, |
3/22/48 | Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College | Inc. (wholesale club retailer). | |||
(2000-2002). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, | Formerly, Trustee of SPDR Index | ||||
Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998- | Shares Funds and SPDR Series | ||||
1999). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, | Trust (exchange traded funds) | ||||
Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm) | (2000-2009). Formerly, Director | ||||
(1991-1998). | of Federal Home Loan Bank of | ||||
Boston (a bank for banks) (2007- | |||||
2009). | |||||
HEIDI L. STEIGER | Trustee | Since 2007 | Managing Partner, Topridge Associates LLC (global wealth | 184 | Director of Nuclear Electric |
7/8/53 | management firm) (since 2008); Senior Adviser (since 2008), | Insurance Ltd. (nuclear insurance | |||
President (2005-2008), Lowenhaupt Global Advisors, LLC (global | provider), Aviva USA (insurance | ||||
wealth management firm). Formerly, President and Contributing | provider) and CIFG (family of | ||||
Editor, Worth Magazine (2004-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice | financial guaranty companies) | ||||
President and Global Head of Private Asset Management (and various | and Advisory Director of | ||||
other positions), Neuberger Berman (investment firm) (1986-2004). | Berkshire Capital Securities LLC | ||||
(private investment banking | |||||
firm). |
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SAI dated October 12, 2010 |
Number of Portfolios
in Fund Complex Overseen By Trustee (1) |
|||||
Trust
Position (s) |
Term of Office and
Length of Service |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years
and Other Relevant Experience |
|||
Other DirectorshipsHeld
During Last Five Years ( 2) |
|||||
Name and Date of Birth | |||||
LYNN A. STOUT | Trustee | Since 1998 | Paul Hastings Professor of Corporate and Securities Law (since 2006) | 184 | None |
9/14/57 | and Pro fessor of Law (2001-2006), University of California at Los | ||||
Angeles School of Law. Professor Stout teaches classes in corporate | |||||
law and securities regulation and is the author of numerous | |||||
academic and professional papers on these areas. | |||||
RALPH F. VERNI | Chairman of | Chairman of | Consultant and private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer | 184 | None |
1/26/43 | the Board and | the Board | (1982-1992), Chief Financial Officer (1988-1990) and Director | ||
Trustee | since 2007 | (1982-1992), New England Life. Formerly, Chairperson, New England | |||
and Trustee | Mutual Funds (1982-1992). Formerly, President and Chief Executive | ||||
since 2005 | Officer, State Street Management & Research (1992-2000). Formerly, | ||||
Chairperson, State Research Mutual Funds (1992-2000). Formerly, | |||||
Director, W.P. Carey, LLC (1998-2004) and First Pioneer Farm Credit | |||||
Corp. (2002-2006). |
(1) | Includes both master and feeder funds in a master-feeder structure. |
(2) | During their respective tenures, the Trustees also served as trustees of one or more of the following Eaton Vance funds (which operated in the years noted): Eaton Vance Credit Opportunities Fund (launched in 2005 and terminated in 2010); Eaton Vance Insured Florida Plus Municipal Bond Fund (launched in 2002 and terminated in 2009); and Eaton Vance National Municipal Income Fund (launched in 1998 and terminated in 2009). |
^ |
The Board of Trustees has general oversight responsibility with respect to the business and affairs of the Trust and the Fund. The Board has engaged an investment adviser and ^ a sub-adviser (collectively the "adviser") to manage the Fund and an administrator to administer the Fund and is responsible for overseeing such adviser and administrator and other service providers to the Trust and the Fund. The Board is currently composed of nine Trustees, including eight Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (each an Independent Trustee). In addition to eight regularly scheduled meetings per year, the Board holds special meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may require action prior to the next regular meeting. As discussed below, the Board has established five committees to assist the Board in performing its oversight responsibilities.
The Board has appointed an Independent Trustee to serve in the role of Chairman. The Chairmans primary role is to participate in the preparation of the agenda for meetings of the Board and the identification of information to be presented to the Board with respect to matters to be acted upon by the Board. The Chairman also presides at all meetings of the Board and acts as a liaison with service providers, officers, attorneys, and other Trustees generally between meetings. The Chairman may perform such other functions as may be requested by the Board from time to time. Except for any duties specified herein or pursuant to the Trusts Declaration of Trust or By-laws, the designation of Chairman does not impose on such Independent Trustee any duties, obligations or liability that is greater than the duties, obligations or liability imposed on such person as a member of the Board, generally.
The Fund and the Trust are subject to a number of risks, including, among others, investment, compliance, operational, and valuation risks. Risk oversight is part of the Boards general oversight of the Fund and the Trust and is addressed as part of various
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activities of the Board of Trustees and its Committees. As part of its oversight of the Fund and Trust, the Board directly, or through a Committee, relies on and reviews reports from, among others, Fund management, the adviser, the administrator, the principal underwriter, the Chief Compliance Officer (the CCO), and other Fund service providers responsible for day-to-day oversight of Fund investments, operations and compliance to assist the Board in identifying and understanding the nature and extent of risks and determining whether, and to what extent, such risks can be mitigated. Each of the adviser, administrator, principal underwriter and the other Fund service providers has its own, independent interest and responsibilities in risk management, and its policies and methods for carrying out risk management functions will depend, in part, on its individual priorities, resources and controls. It is not possible to identify all of the risks that may affect the Fund or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects.
The Board, with the assistance of management and with input from the Board's various committees, reviews investment policies and risks in connection with its review of Fund performance. The Board has appointed a Fund Chief Compliance Officer who oversees the implementation and testing of the Fund compliance program and reports to the Board regarding compliance matters for the Fund and its principal service providers. In addition, as part of the Boards periodic review of the advisory, ^ subadvisory , distribution and other service provider agreements, the Board may consider risk management aspects of their operations and the functions for which they are responsible. With respect to valuation, the Board approves and periodically reviews valuation policies and procedures applicable to valuing the Funds shares. The administrator, the investment adviser and the sub-adviser ^ are responsible for the implementation and day-to-day administration of these valuation policies and procedures and provides reports periodically to the Board regarding these and related matters. In addition, the Board or the Audit Committee of the Board receives reports periodically from the independent public accounting firm for the Fund regarding tests performed by such firm on the valuation of all securities, as well as with respect to other risks associated with mutual funds. Reports received from service providers, legal counsel and the independent public accounting firm assist the Board in performing its oversight function.
The Board of Trustees of the Trust have several standing Committees, including the Governance Committee, the Audit Committee, the Portfolio Management Committee, the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee and the Contract Review Committee. Each of the Committees are comprised of only noninterested Trustees.
Mmes. Stout (Chair), Peters and Steiger, and Messrs. Esty, Freedman, Park, Pearlman and Verni are members 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.
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. Park (Chair) and Verni, and Mmes. Steiger and Stout are members of the Audit Committee. The Board of Trustees has designated Mr. Park, a noninterested Trustee, as audit committee financial expert. 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 the 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 applicable SEC and stock exchange rules for inclusion in the proxy statement of the Fund.
Messrs. Verni (Chair), Esty, Freedman, Park and Pearlman, and Ms. Peters are currently members of the Contract Review Committee. The purposes of the Contract Review Committee are to consider, evaluate and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees concerning the following matters: (i) contractual arrangements with each 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 other Committees of the Board of Trustees.
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SAI dated October 12, 2010 |
Messrs. Esty (Chair) and Freedman, and Ms. Peters are currently members of the Portfolio Management Committee. The purposes of the Portfolio Management Committee are to: (i) assist the Board of Trustees in its oversight of the portfolio management process employed by the Fund and its investment adviser and sub-adviser(s), if applicable, relative to the Funds stated objective(s), strategies and restrictions; (ii) assist the Board of Trustees in its oversight of the trading policies and procedures and risk management techniques applicable to the Fund; and (iii) assist the Board of Trustees in its monitoring of the performance results of all Fund, giving special attention to the performance of certain Fund that it or the Board of Trustees identifies from time to time.
Mr. Pearlman (Chair) and Mmes. Steiger and Stout are currently members of the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee. The purposes of the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee are to: (i) assist the Board of Trustees in its oversight role with respect to compliance issues and certain other regulatory matters affecting the Fund; (ii) serve as a liaison between the Board of Trustees and the Funds ^ CCO ^ ; and (iii) serve as a qualified legal compliance committee within the rules promulgated by the SEC.
Share Ownership. The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in all Eaton Vance Funds overseen by the Trustee as of December 31, 2009. None of the Trustees owned shares of the Fund as of ^ December 31, ^ 2009 since the Fund had not commenced operations.
As of December 31, 2009, 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, 2008 and December 31, 2009, 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, 2008 and December 31, 2009, 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.
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SAI dated October 12, 2010 |
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 assets, liabilities, and net income per share of the Fund, and will not obligate the Fund to retain the services of any Trustee or obligate the Fund to pay any particular level of compensation to the Trustee. The Trust does not have 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 ending ^ August 31, 2011 , ^ it is estimated that the Trustees of the Trust will earn the following compensation in their capacities as Trustees from the Trust. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Trustees earned the following compensation in their capacities as Trustees of the funds in the Eaton Vance fund complex (1) : ^
Benjamin C. | Allen R. | William H. | Ronald A. | Helen Frame | Heidi L. | Lynn A. | Ralph F. | |
Source of Compensation | Esty | Freedman | Park | Pearlman | Peters (1) | Steiger | Stout | Verni |
Trust (2) | $ 500 | $ 457 | $ 500 | $ 500 | $ 457 | $ 457 | $ 500 | $ 707 |
Trust and Fund Complex (1) | $230,000 | $210,000 | $230,000 | $230,000 | $183,750 | $210,000 | $230,000 (3) | $325,000 (4) |
(1) ^ As of ^ August 31, 2010 , ^ the Eaton Vance fund complex consists of ^ 184 registered investment companies or series thereof. ^ | |
(2) ^ The Trust consisted of ^ 8 Funds as of ^ August 31, 2010 . | |
(3) Includes $ ^ 45,000 of deferred compensation. | |
(4 ^ ) Includes $ ^ 162,500 of deferred compensation. |
Organization. The Fund is a series of the Trust, which was organized under Massachusetts law on May 25, 1985 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 of the Trust have divided the shares of the Fund into multiple classes. Each class represents an interest in the Fund, but is subject to different expenses, rights and privileges. 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 except that only shareholders of a particular class may vote on matters affecting only that class. Shares have no preemptive or conversion rights and are freely transferable. In the event of the liquidation of the Fund, shareholders of each class 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 Bylaws 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
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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.
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 procedures (the Fund Policy), pursuant to which the Trustees have delegated proxy voting responsibility to the investment adviser and sub-adviser and adopted the proxy voting policies and procedures of the investment adviser and sub-adviser (the Policies). An independent proxy voting service has been retained to assist in the voting of Fund proxies through the provision of vote analysis, implementation and record keeping and disclosure services. 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 sub-adviser Policies, see Appendix D and Appendix E, 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. Eaton Vance is the investment adviser for the Fund. 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 and Administrative 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 to the investment adviser, see the Prospectus. Pursuant an investment sub-advisory agreement, between Eaton Vance and Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC ("RBA"), Eaton Vance pays compensation to RBA for providing sub-advisory services to the Fund ^ .
^ The Investment Advisory and Administrative Agreement and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement with the investment adviser or sub-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 Agreements may be terminated at any time without penalty on sixty (60) days written notice by the Board of Trustees ^ or either party, or by vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of ^ the Fund , and ^ each Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment. The Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement may also be terminated in certain circumstances by the Sub-Adviser ^ upon not less than 20 business days ^ written notice to the investment ^ adviser . ^ Each Agreement provides that the investment adviser or sub- adviser may render services to others. Each Agreement also provides that the investment adviser or sub-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 or 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.
Information About Eaton Vance. Eaton Vance is a business trust organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. EV serves as trustee of Eaton Vance. EV and Eaton Vance are wholly-owned subsidiaries of 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 Thomas E. Faust Jr., Ann E. Berman, Leo I. Higdon, Jr., Dorothy E. Puhy, Duncan W. Richardson, Winthrop H. Smith, Jr. and Richard A. Spillane, Jr. All shares of the outstanding Voting Common Stock of EVC are deposited in a Voting Trust, the Voting Trustees of which are Mr.
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Faust, Jeffrey P. Beale, Cynthia J. Clemson, Maureen A. Gemma, Brian D. Langstraat, Michael R. Mach, Frederick S. Marius, Thomas M. Metzold, Scott H. Page, Mr. Richardson, Walter A. Row, III, G. West Saltonstall, Judith A. Saryan, David M. Stein, Payson F. Swaffield, Mark S. Venezia, Michael W. Weilheimer, Robert J. Whelan and Matthew J. Witkos (all of whom are officers of Eaton Vance or its affiliates). 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. Faust who is also a Trustee) hold positions in the Eaton Vance organization.
Code of Ethics. The investment adviser, sub-adviser, ^ principal underwriter, and the Fund have adopted Codes of Ethics governing personal securities transactions. Under the Codes, employees of Eaton Vance, the sub-adviser ^ and the principal underwriter 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.
Information About RBA. RBA is a Delaware limited liability company that was formed under the name Richard Bernstein Capital Management LLC in May 2009. RBA has been an investment adviser registered with the SEC since June 2010. RBA expects to provide advisory services to investment companies, institutional clients and high net worth individuals.
^ Portfolio Manager. The portfolio manager of the Fund is listed below ^ . The following table shows, as of August 31, 2010, the number of accounts the portfolio manager managed in each of the listed categories and the total assets (in millions of dollars) in the accounts managed within each category. The table also shows the number of accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account, if any, and the total assets in those accounts.
Number of | Total Assets of | Number of Accounts | Total Assets of Accounts | |
All Accounts | All Accounts | Paying a Performance Fee | Paying a Performance Fee | |
Richard Bernstein | ||||
Registered Investment Companies | 0* | $ 0* | 0 | $ 0 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 0 | $ 0 | 0 | $ 0 |
Other Accounts | 0 | $ 0 | 0 | $ 0 |
* The Fund commenced operations on October ^ 12 , 2010.
Mr. Bernstein did not beneficially own shares of the Fund since the Fund has not commenced operations, however, Mr. Bernstein beneficially owned between $ ^ 500,000 - $ ^ 1,000,000 in the Eaton Vance Family of Funds as of December 31, 2009. It is possible that conflicts of interest may arise in connection with a portfolio managers management of the Funds investments on the one hand and the investments of other accounts for which the portfolio manager is responsible for on the other. For example, a portfolio manager may have conflicts of interest in allocating management time, resources and investment opportunities among the Fund and other accounts he or she advises. In addition due to differences in the investment strategies or restrictions between the Fund and the other accounts, a portfolio manager may take action with respect to another account that differs from the action taken with respect to the Fund. In some cases, another account managed by a portfolio manager may compensate the investment adviser based on the performance of the securities held by that account. The existence of such a performance based fee may create additional conflicts of interest for the portfolio manager in the allocation of management time, resources and investment opportunities. Whenever conflicts of interest arise, the portfolio manager will endeavor to exercise his or her discretion in a manner that he or she believes is equitable to all interested persons. The investment adviser has adopted several policies and procedures designed to address these potential conflicts including a code of ethics and policies that govern the investment advisers trading practices, including among other things the aggregation and allocation of trades among clients, brokerage allocation, cross trades and best execution. ^
^
Compensation Structure for RBA. Compensation of RBAs portfolio managers and other investment professionals has several components, depending upon the status of the employee: (1) in all cases, a base salary; (2) in the case of non-partners, a discretionary cash bonus payable annually and based on individual performance and overall firm profits; and (3) in the case of partners, a cash bonus or profit participation payable annually and equal to a defined percentage of overall firm profits. RBA investment personnel also receive certain insurance and other benefits that are broadly available to all of the firms employees. Compensation of all RBA employees is reviewed and evaluated annually. Salaries are paid throughout the year, with any adjustments typically put into effect on January 1 st of the respective year. Cash bonuses and profit participations are typically paid at or shortly after year-end.
Method to Determine Compensation. RBA seeks to compensate its portfolio managers in a manner that is commensurate with their job performance and with the scale and complexity of their responsibilities, and that is competitive with other investment
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management firms. Because all of RBAs portfolio managers share responsibility for all of the firms managed funds and accounts, each managers performance is evaluated based on, inter alia , the individual and composite pre-tax performance of all such funds and accounts (including versus peer groups of funds, as determined by, e.g. , Lipper and/or Morningstar) and the respective managers perceived contribution to that performance, considering both current-year and longer-term performance objectives and results. While the salaries of RBA portfolio managers and other investment personnel are relatively fixed, cash bonuses and the value of profit participations may fluctuate substantially from year to year, based on changes in the firms financial performance and other factors as herein described.
Administrative Services. Eaton Vance also provides administrative services to the Fund. Under its Investment Advisory and Administrative ^ 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 sub-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.
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 each 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. The only expenses of the Fund allocated to a particular class are those incurred under the Distribution Plan applicable to that class (if any) and certain other class-specific expenses.
OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS |
Principal Underwriter. Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD"), Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110 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 is renewable annually by the Trusts Board of Trustees (including a majority of the noninterested Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Agreement or any applicable Distribution Plan), may be terminated on sixty days notice either by such Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Fund shares or on six months notice by the principal underwriter 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. EVD is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC. Mr. Faust is a Director of EVD.
Custodian. State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street ^ ), 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116, serves as custodian to the Fund. State Street 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. State Street ^ 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 State Street. 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. ^ Deloitte & Touche LLP, 200 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116 , is the independent registered public accounting firm of the Fund, providing audit and related services, assistance and consultation with respect to the preparation of filings with the SEC.
Transfer Agent. BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, P.O. Box 9653, Providence, RI 02940-9653, serves as transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund.
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CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of the Fund is ^ computed as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (normally 4:00 p.m. eastern time) (the "valuation time") by State Street (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 or interests on the following business holidays and any other business day that the New York Stock Exchange (the "Exchange") is closed: 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 Trust have established the following procedures for the fair valuation of the Fund ^ s 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 ^ Global or Global Select Market System generally are valued at the NASDAQ official 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 Exchange-traded options are valued at the mean between the bid and asked prices at ^ valuation time, as reported by the Options Price Reporting Authority for U.S. listed ^ options or by the relevant Exchange or Board of Trade for non-U.S. listed options. ^ ^ 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 are acquired with a remaining maturity of more than 60 days, they will be valued ^ by a pricing service. 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.
Foreign securities and currencies held by ^ the Fund and any other ^ Fund assets or liabilities expressed in foreign currencies 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 Exchange. 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 not readily available 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 other information including, in the case of restricted securities, 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 financial intermediaries which have entered into agreements with the principal underwriter. Shares of the Fund are sold at the offering price, which is the net asset value plus the initial sales charge, if any. The Fund receives the net asset value. The principal underwriter receives the sales charge, all or a portion of which may be reallowed to the financial intermediaries responsible for selling Fund shares. The sales charge table in the Prospectus is applicable to purchases of the Fund alone or in combination with purchases of certain other funds offered by the principal underwriter, made at a single time by (i) an individual, or an individual, his or her spouse and their children under the age of twenty-one, purchasing shares for his or their own account, and (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing shares for a single trust estate or a single fiduciary account. The table is also presently applicable to (1) purchases of Class A shares pursuant to a written Statement of Intention; or (2) purchases of Class A shares pursuant to the Right of Accumulation and declared as such at the time of purchase. See Sales Charges.
In connection with employee benefit or other continuous group purchase plans, the Fund may accept initial investments of less than the minimum investment amount 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.
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, and (if applicable) the amount of uncovered distribution charges of the principal underwriter. The Class A and Class C Distribution Plans may continue in effect and payments may be made under the Plans following any such suspension, discontinuance or limitation of the offering of shares; however, there is no contractual obligation to continue any Plan for any particular period of time. Suspension of the offering of shares would not, of course, affect a shareholders ability to redeem shares.
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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 $750. 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. No CDSC or redemption fees, if applicable, will be imposed with respect to such involuntary redemptions.
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 withdrawn from the Fund. 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.
Other Information. The Funds net asset value per share is normally rounded to two decimal places. In certain situations (such as a merger, share split or a purchase or sale of shares that represents a significant portion of a share class), the administrator may determine to extend the calculation of the net asset value per share to additional decimal places to ensure that neither the value of the Fund nor a shareholders shares is diluted materially as the result of a purchase or sale or other transaction.
In circumstances where a financial intermediary has entered into an agreement with the Fund or its principal underwriter to exchange shares from one class of the Fund to another, such exchange shall be permitted and any applicable redemption fee will not be imposed in connection with such transaction, provided that the class of shares acquired in the exchange is subject to the same redemption fee. In connection with the exemption from the ^ Funds policies to discourage short-term trading and market timing and the applicability of any redemption fee to a redemption, asset allocation programs include any investment vehicle that allocates its assets among investments in concert with changes in a model portfolio and any asset allocation programs that may be sponsored by Eaton Vance or its affiliates.
SALES CHARGES |
Dealer Commissions. The principal underwriter may, from time to time, at its own expense, provide additional incentives to financial intermediaries 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 financial intermediaries 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 financial intermediaries. The principal underwriter may allow, upon notice to all financial intermediaries with whom it has agreements, discounts up to the full sales charge during the periods specified in the notice. During periods when the discount includes the full sales charge, such financial intermediaries may be deemed to be underwriters as that term is defined in the 1933 Act.
Purchases at Net Asset Value. Class A shares may be sold at net asset value to current and retired Directors and Trustees of Eaton Vance funds and portfolios; to clients (including custodial, agency, advisory and trust accounts) and current and retired officers and employees of Eaton Vance, its affiliates and other investment advisers and sub-advisers of Eaton Vance sponsored funds; and to such persons spouses, parents, siblings and lineal descendants and their beneficial accounts. Such shares may also be issued at net asset value (1) in connection with the merger (or similar transaction) of an investment company (or series or class thereof) or personal holding company with the Fund (or class thereof), (2) to investors making an investment as part of a fixed fee program whereby an entity unaffiliated with the investment adviser provides investment services, such as management, brokerage and custody, (3) to investment advisors, financial planners or other intermediaries who place trades for their own accounts or the accounts of their clients and who charge a management, consulting or similar ongoing fee for their services; clients of such investment advisors, financial planners or other intermediaries who place trades for their own accounts if the accounts are linked to the master account of such investment advisor, financial planner or other intermediary on the books and records of the broker or
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agent; financial intermediaries who have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class A shares through a no-load network or platform; and to retirement and deferred compensation plans and trusts used to fund those plans, including, but not limited to, those defined in Section 401(a), 403(b) or 457 of the Code and rabbi trusts, (4) to officers and employees of the Funds custodian and transfer agent, and (5) in connection with the ReFlow liquidity program. Class A shares may also be sold at net asset value to registered representatives and employees of financial intermediaries. Sales charges generally are waived because either (i) there is no sales effort involved in the sale of shares or (ii) the investor is paying a fee (other than the sales charge) to the financial intermediary involved in the sale. Any new or revised sales charge or CDSC waiver will be prospective only.
Waiver of Investment Minimums. In addition to waivers described in the Prospectus, minimum investment amounts are waived for current and retired Directors and Trustees of Eaton Vance funds and portfolios, clients (including custodial, agency, advisory and trust accounts), current and retired officers and employees of Eaton Vance, its affiliates and other investment advisers and sub-advisers of Eaton Vance sponsored funds, and for such persons spouses, parents, siblings and lineal descendants and their beneficial accounts. The minimum initial investment amount is also waived for officers and employees of the Funds custodian and transfer agent. Investments in the Fund by ReFlow in connection with the ReFlow liquidity program are also not subject to the minimum investment amount.
Statement of Intention. If it is anticipated that $50,000 or more of Class A shares and shares of other funds exchangeable for Class A shares of another Eaton Vance fund will be purchased within a 13-month period, the Statement of Intention section of the account application should be completed so that shares may be obtained at the same reduced sales charge as though the total quantity were invested in one lump sum. Shares eligible for the right of accumulation (see below) as of the date of the Statement and purchased during the 13-month period will be included toward the completion of the Statement. If you make a Statement of Intention, the transfer agent is authorized to hold in escrow sufficient shares (5% of the dollar amount specified in the Statement) which can be redeemed to make up any difference in sales charge on the amount intended to be invested and the amount actually invested. A Statement of Intention does not obligate the shareholder to purchase or the Fund to sell the full amount indicated in the Statement.
If the amount actually purchased during the 13-month period is less than that indicated in the Statement, the shareholder will be requested to pay the difference between the sales charge applicable to the shares purchased and the sales charge paid under the Statement of Intention. If the payment is not received in 20 days, the appropriate number of escrowed shares will be redeemed in order to realize such difference. If the total purchases during the 13-month period are large enough to qualify for a lower sales charge than that applicable to the amount specified in the Statement, all transactions will be computed at the expiration date of the Statement to give effect to the lower sales charge. Any difference will be refunded to the shareholder in cash or applied to the purchase of additional shares, as specified by the shareholder. This refund will be made by the financial intermediary and the principal underwriter. If at the time of the recomputation, the financial intermediary for the account has changed, the adjustment will be made only on those shares purchased through the current financial intermediary for the account.
Right of Accumulation. Under the right of accumulation, the applicable sales charge level is calculated by aggregating the dollar amount of the current purchase and the value (calculated at the maximum current offering price) of shares owned by the shareholder. ^ Class A shares of Eaton Vance U.S. Government Money Market Fund and shares of Eaton Vance Tax Free Reserves cannot be accumulated for purposes of this privilege. The sales charge on the shares being purchased will then be applied at the rate applicable to the aggregate. Share purchases eligible for the right of accumulation are described under "Sales Charges" in the Prospectus. For any such discount to be made available at the time of purchase a purchaser or his or her financial intermediary must provide the principal underwriter (in the case of a purchase made through a financial intermediary) or the transfer agent (in the case of an investment made by mail) with sufficient information to permit verification that the purchase order qualifies for the accumulation privilege. Confirmation of the order is subject to such verification. The right of accumulation privilege may be amended or terminated at any time as to purchases occurring thereafter.
Tax-Deferred Retirement Plans. Shares may be 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.
^
Distribution Plans
The Trust has in effect a compensation-type Distribution Plan for Class A shares (the Class A Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Class A Plan is designed to (i) finance activities which are primarily intended to result in the distribution and
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sales of Class A shares and to make payments in connection with the distribution of such shares and (ii) pay service fees for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts to the principal underwriter, financial intermediaries and other persons. The distribution and service fees payable under the Class A Plan shall not exceed ^ 0.25 % of the average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for any fiscal year. Class A distribution and service fees are paid monthly in arrears. For the distribution and service fees paid by Class A shares, see Appendix A.
The Trust has in effect a compensation-type Distribution Plan for Class C shares (the Class C Plans) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Class C pays the principal underwriter a distribution fee, accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate not exceeding 0.75% of its average daily net assets to finance the distribution of its shares. Such fees compensate the principal underwriter for the sales commissions paid by it to financial intermediaries on the sale of shares, for other ^ distribution expenses (such as personnel, overhead, travel, printing and postage) and for interest expenses. The principal underwriter shall be entitled to receive all CDSCs paid or payable with respect to Class C shares, provided that no such sales charge which would cause the Class C to exceed the maximum applicable cap imposed hereon by Rule 2830 of the FINRA Rules shall be imposed.
The Trustees of the Trust believe that the Plan will be a significant factor in the expected growth of the Funds assets, and will result in increased investment flexibility and advantages which have benefited and will continue to benefit the Fund and its shareholders. The Eaton Vance organization will profit by reason of the operation of the Class C Plan through an increase in Fund assets and if at any point in time the aggregate amounts received by the principal underwriter pursuant to the Plans and from CDSCs have exceeded the total expenses incurred in distributing Class C shares. For sales commissions and CDSCs, see Appendix B.
The Class C Plans also authorizes the payment of service fees to the principal underwriter, financial intermediaries and other persons in amounts not exceeding an annual rate of 0.25% of its average daily net assets for personal services, and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. For Class C, financial intermediaries currently receive (a) a service fee (except on exchange transactions and reinvestments) at the time of sale equal to 0.25% of the purchase price of Class C shares sold by such dealer, and (b) monthly service fees approximately equivalent to 1/12 of 0.25% of the value of Class C shares sold by such dealer. During the first year after a purchase of Class C shares, the principal underwriter will retain the service fee as reimbursement for the service fee payment made to financial intermediaries at the time of sale. For the service fees paid, see Appendix B.
A Plan continues in effect from year to year so long as such continuance is approved at least annually by the vote of both a majority of (i) the noninterested Trustees of the Trust who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreements related to the Plan (the Plan Trustees) and (ii) all of the Trustees then in office. A Plan may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Plan Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the applicable Class. Quarterly Trustee review of a written report of the amount expended under the Plan and the purposes for which such expenditures were made is required. A Plan may not be amended to increase materially the payments described therein without approval of the shareholders of the affected Class and the Trustees. So long as a Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the noninterested Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of such Trustees. The Trustees, including the Plan Trustees, initially approved the current Plan(s) on August 9, 2010. Any Trustee of the Trust who is an interested person of the Trust has an indirect financial interest in a Plan because his or her employer (or affiliates thereof) receives distribution and/or service fees under the Plan or agreements related thereto.
PERFORMANCE |
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
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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, Appendix B and Appendix C.
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, sub-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 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 |
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 investment 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 tax. If the Fund qualifies for treatment as a RIC and satisfies the above-mentioned distribution requirements, it 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 August 31, 2011. The Fund also seeks to avoid payment of federal excise tax. However, if the Fund fails to distribute in a calendar year substantially all of its ordinary income for such year and substantially all of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 (or later if the Fund is permitted to so elect and so elects), plus any retained amount from the prior year, the Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. As a result of recently enacted legislation, the Code now contains a provision codifying the judicial economic substance doctrine, which has traditionally been used by courts to deny tax benefits for transactions that lack economic substance; a strict liability penalty is imposed for an understatement of tax liability due to a transactions lack of economic substance.
For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2011, the long-term capital gain rate is scheduled to return to 20%.
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. If the Fund fails to meet these requirements it will be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. Under current law, provided that the Fund qualifies as a RIC, the Fund should not be liable for any income, corporate excise or franchise tax in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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 tax-exempt income and net capital gain (if any), will be taxable
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to the shareholder as dividend income. However, such distributions may be eligible (i) to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals and (ii) for the ^ dividends- received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders. 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 may 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.
The Funds investment in so-called "section 1256 contracts," such as regulated futures contracts, most foreign currency forward contracts traded in the interbank market and options on most stock indices, are subject to special tax rules. All section 1256 contracts held by the Fund at the end of its taxable year are required to be marked to their market value, and any unrealized gain or loss on those positions will be included in the Funds income as if each position had been sold for its fair market value at the end of the taxable year. The resulting gain or loss will be combined with any gain or loss realized by the Fund from positions in section 1256 contracts closed during the taxable year. Provided such positions were held as capital assets and were not part of a "hedging transaction" nor part of a "straddle," 60% of the resulting net gain or loss will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss, and 40% of such net gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss, regardless of the period of time the positions were actually held by the Fund.
The Funds positions in index options that do not qualify as section 1256 contracts under the Code generally will be treated as equity options governed by Code Section 1234. Pursuant to Code Section 1234, if a written option expires unexercised, the premium received is short-term capital gain to a Fund. If a Fund enters into a closing transaction with respect to a written option, the difference between the premium received and the amount paid to close out its position is short-term capital gain or loss. If an option written by a Fund that is not a section 1256 contract is cash settled, any resulting gain or loss will be short-term. For an option purchased by a Fund that is not a section 1256 contract any gain or loss resulting from sale of the option will be a capital gain or loss, and will be short-term or long-term, depending upon the holding period for the option. If the option expires, the resulting loss is a capital loss and is short-term or long-term, depending upon the holding period for the option. If a put option written by a Fund is exercised and physically settled, the premium received is treated as a reduction in the amount paid to acquire the underlying securities, increasing the gain or decreasing the loss to be realized by a Fund upon sale of the securities. If a call option written by a Fund is exercised and physically settled, the premium received is included in the sale proceeds, increasing the gain or decreasing the loss realized by a Fund at the time of option exercise.
Certain types of income received by the Fund from REITs, real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs), taxable mortgage pools or other investments may cause the Fund to designate some or all of its distributions as excess inclusion income. To Fund shareholders such excess inclusion income may: (1) constitute taxable income as unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) for those shareholders who would otherwise be tax-exempt such as individual retirement accounts, 401(k) accounts, Keogh plans, pension plans and certain charitable entities; (2) not be offset by otherwise allowable deductions for tax purposes; (3) not be eligible for reduced U.S. withholding for non-U.S. shareholders even from tax treaty countries; and (4) cause the Fund to be subject to tax if certain disqualifed organizations" as defined by the Code are Fund shareholders.
Under Section 988 of the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange rates between the time the Fund accrues income or receivables or expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or pays such liabilities are generally treated as ordinary income or ordinary loss.
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 ( ^ PFICs ^ ) 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 PFIC as a qualified electing fund.
If ^ the Fund were to invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a qualified electing fund under the Code, the ^ Fund might be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gains of the qualified electing fund, even if not distributed to the ^ fund , and such amounts would be subject to the distribution requirements described above. In order to make this election, ^ the Fund would be required to obtain certain annual information from the PFICs in which it invests, which may be difficult or impossible to obtain. Alternatively, if ^ the Fund were to make a mark-to-market election with respect to a PFIC, the ^ Fund would be treated as if it had sold and repurchased the PFIC stock at the end of each year. In such case, ^ the Fund
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would report any such gains as ordinary income and would deduct any such losses as ordinary losses to the extent of previously recognized gains . This election must be made separately for each PFIC, and once made, would be effective for all subsequent taxable years unless revoked with the consent of the IRS . ^ The Fund may be required to recognize income in excess of the distributions it receives from PFICs and its proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock in any particular year. ^ As a result, the Fund may have to distribute this phantom income and gain to satisfy the distribution requirement and to avoid imposition of the 4% excise tax.
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 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.
As a result of entering into swap contracts, ^ the Fund may make or receive periodic net payments. ^ The Fund may also make or receive a payment when a swap is terminated prior to maturity through an assignment of the swap or other closing transaction. Periodic net payments will generally constitute ordinary income or deductions, while termination of a swap will generally result in capital gain or loss (which will be a long-term capital gain or loss if ^ the Fund has been a party to a swap for more than one year). With respect to certain types of swaps, ^ the Fund may be required to currently recognize income or loss with respect to future payments on such swaps or may elect under certain circumstances to mark such swaps to market annually for tax purposes as ordinary income or loss. The tax treatment of many types of credit default swaps is uncertain.
For taxable years beginning on or before December 31, 2010, 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. Dividends subject to these special rules are not actually treated as capital gains, however, and thus are not included in the computation of an individuals net capital gain and generally cannot be used to offset capital losses.
Generally, upon sale or exchange of shares, a shareholder will realize a taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and the basis in shares. A redemption of shares by the Fund will be treated as a sale for this purpose. Such gain or loss will be treated as capital gain or loss if the shares are capital assets in the shareholders hands, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for more than one year and short-term capital gain or loss if the shares are held for one year or less.
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.
Sales charges paid upon a purchase of shares subject to a front-end sales charge cannot be taken into account for purposes of determining gain or loss on a redemption or exchange of the shares before the 91st day after their purchase to the extent a sales charge is reduced or eliminated in a subsequent acquisition of Fund shares (or shares of another fund) pursuant to the reinvestment or exchange privilege. Any disregarded amounts will result in an adjustment to the shareholders tax basis in some or all of any other shares acquired.
Dividends and distributions on the Funds shares are generally subject to federal income tax as described herein to the extent they are made out of ^ a Funds earnings and profits, 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.
The Code imposes a new 3.8% Medicare tax on unearned income of certain U.S. individuals, estates and trusts. For individuals, the tax is on the lesser of the net investment income and the excess of modified adjusted gross income over $200,000 (or $250,000 if married filing jointly). Net investment income includes interest, dividends, and gross income and capital gains derived from passive activities and trading in securities or commodities. Net investment income is reduced by deductions properly allocable to this income. This tax is effective with respect to amounts received, and taxable years beginning, after December 31, 2012.
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In general, dividends (other than capital gain dividends and exempt-interest 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). The withholding tax does not apply to regular dividends paid to a foreign person who provides a Form W-8ECI, certifying that the dividends are effectively connected with the foreign persons conduct of a trade or business within the United States. Instead, the effectively connected dividends will be subject to regular U.S. income tax as if the foreign person were a U.S. shareholder. A non-U.S. corporation receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to additional "branch profits tax" imposed at a rate of 30% (or lower treaty rate). A foreign person who fails to provide an IRS Form W-8BEN or other applicable form may be subject to backup withholding at the appropriate rate.
For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2010, properly-designated dividends ^ were generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (i) ^ were paid in respect of the Funds qualified net interest income (generally, the Funds U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which the Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income) or (ii) ^ were paid in respect of the Funds qualified short-term capital gains (generally, the excess of the Funds net short-term capital gain over the Funds long-term capital loss for such taxable year). However, depending on its circumstances, the Fund ^ could designate all, some or none of its potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains and/or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. shareholder ^ needed to comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN or substitute Form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary ^ could withhold even if the Fund designates the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Non-U.S. shareholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts . Although this provision has expired, legislation has been proposed under which this provision would be extended to taxable years beginning before January 1, 2011; this extension, if enacted, would be applied retroactively . ^
^
If ^ the Funds direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property were to exceed certain levels, distributions to a foreign shareholder from ^ the Fund attributable to a REITs distribution to the Fund of gain from a sale or exchange of a U.S. real property interest and, in the case of a foreign shareholder owning more than 5% of the class of shares throughout either such persons holding period for the redeemed shares or, if shorter, the previous five years, the gain on redemption will be treated as real property gain subject to additional taxes or withholding and may result in the foreign shareholder having additional filing requirements ^ . It is not expected that a significant portion of the Funds interests will be in U.S. real property.
For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2010, distributions that ^ the Fund designated as short-term capital gain dividends or long-term capital gain dividends would not have been treated as such to a recipient foreign shareholder if the distribution were attributable to gain received from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property or an interest in a U.S. real property holding corporation and ^ the Funds direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property exceeded certain levels. Instead, if the foreign shareholder had not owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of the Fund at any time during the one year period ending on the date of distribution, such distributions were subject to 30% withholding by ^ the Fund and were treated as ordinary dividends to the foreign shareholder; if the foreign shareholder owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of ^ the Fund at any time during the one year period ending on the date of the distribution, such distribution was treated as real property gain subject to 35% withholding tax and could subject the foreign shareholder to U.S. filing requirements. Additionally, if ^ the Funds direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property were to exceed certain levels, a foreign shareholder realizing gains upon redemption from the Fund on or before December 31, 2009 could be subject to the 35% withholding tax and U.S. filing requirements unless more than 50% of the Funds shares were owned by U.S. persons at such time or unless the foreign person had not held more than 5% of the Funds outstanding shares throughout either such persons holding period for the redeemed shares or, if shorter, the previous five years. Although the provisions set forth in this paragraph have expired, legislation has been proposed under which these provisions would be extended for one year retroactive to January 1, 2010, although retroactivity would not apply to an obligation to withhold.
The Code will impose a U.S. withholding tax of 30% on payments (including gross proceeds) that are attributable to certain U.S. investments and made to a non-U.S. financial institution, including a non-U.S. investment fund. ^ The Fund will withhold at this rate on certain of its distributions unless any non-U.S. financial institution shareholder complies with certain reporting requirements to the IRS in respect of its direct and indirect U.S. investors effective beginning with payments made after December 31, 2012. Non ^ - U.S. financial institution shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of these requirements on their investment in ^ the Fund.
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 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
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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. Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against a shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability.
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 IRS 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. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances. Under certain circumstances, certain tax-exempt entities and their managers may be subject to excise tax if they are parties to certain reportable transactions.
The foregoing discussion does not address all of 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 federal, state, local, and, where applicable, foreign tax consequences of investing in the Fund.
PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS |
Decisions concerning the execution of portfolio security transactions, including the selection of the market and the broker-dealer firm, are made by the investment adviser or sub-adviser of the Fund (each referred to herein as the "investment adviser"). The Fund is responsible for the expenses associated with its 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 one or more broker-dealer firms. The investment adviser uses its best efforts to obtain execution of portfolio security transactions at prices which in the investment advisers judgment are advantageous to the client and at a reasonably competitive spread 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 broker-dealer 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 broker-dealer 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 ^ amount of the spread or commission, if any. In addition, the investment adviser may consider the receipt of ^ 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. In such cases, 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 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.
^
Pursuant to the safeharbor provided in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, a broker or dealer who executes a portfolio transaction on behalf of the investment adviser client may receive a commission which 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 on the basis of either that particular transaction or on the basis of the overall responsibility which the investment adviser and its affiliates have for accounts over which they exercise investment discretion. " Research ^ Services" as used herein includes any and all brokerage and research services to the extent permitted by Section 28(e) of the ^ Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and amended. Generally, Research Services may include, but are not limited to, such matters as research, analytical and quotation services, data, information and other services products and materials which
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assist the investment adviser in the performance of its investment responsibilities. More specifically, Research Services may include general economic, political, business and market information, industry and company reviews, evaluations of securities and portfolio strategies and transactions, technical analysis of various aspects of the securities markets, recommendations as to the purchase and sale of securities and other portfolio transactions, certain financial, industry and trade publications, certain news and information services, and certain research oriented computer 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 . The investment adviser may also receive brokerage and Research Services from underwriters and dealers in fixed-price offerings .
^
Research Services provided by (and produced by) broker-dealers that execute portfolio transactions or from affiliates of executing broker-dealers are referred to as Proprietary Research. The investment adviser may and does consider the receipt of Proprietary Research Services as a factor in selecting broker dealers to execute client portfolio transactions, provided it does not compromise the investment advisers obligation to seek best overall execution. The investment adviser also may consider the receipt of Research Services under so called client commission arrangements or commission sharing arrangements (both referred to as CCAs) as a factor in selecting broker dealers to execute transactions, provided it does not compromise the investment adviser's obligation to seek best overall execution. Under a CCA arrangement, the investment adviser may cause client accounts to effect transactions through a broker-dealer and request that the broker-dealer allocate a portion of the commissions paid on those transactions to a pool of commission credits that are paid to other firms that provide Research Services to the investment adviser. Under a CCA, the broker-dealer that provides the Research Services need not execute the trade. Participating in CCAs may enable the investment adviser to consolidate payments for research using accumulated client commission credits from transactions executed through a particular broker-dealer to periodically pay for Research Services obtained from and provided by other firms, including other broker-dealers that supply Research Services. The investment adviser believes that CCAs offer the potential to optimize the execution of trades and the acquisition of a variety of high quality Research Services that the investment adviser might not be provided access to absent CCAs. The investment adviser will only enter into and utilize CCAs to the extent permitted by Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. As required by interpretive guidance issued by the SEC, any CCAs entered into by the the investment adviser will provide that: (1) the broker-dealer pay the research preparer directly; and (2) the broker-dealer take steps to assure itself that the client commissions that the investment adviser directs it to use to pay for Research Services are only for eligible research under Section 28(e).
The ^ Fund may allocate ^ brokerage commissions to acquire information relating to the performance, fees and expenses of such ^ Fund and other ^ investment companies , which information is used by the Trustees of such ^ Fund to fulfill their responsibility to oversee the quality of the services provided ^ to various entities, including ^ the investment adviser to ^ the Fund . ^ The Fund 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 new 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.
^ |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
There are no financial statements of the Fund because as of the date of this SAI, the Fund had not commenced operations ^ .
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SAI dated October 12, 2010 |
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.
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SAI dated October 12, 2010 |
APPENDIX A |
^ Class A 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 ^ October 11 , ^ 2010 , ^ there are no shares of this Class of the Fund ^ outstanding .
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APPENDIX B |
Class C 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 ^ October 11 , ^ 2010 , ^ there are no shares of this Class of the Fund ^ outstanding .
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APPENDIX C |
Class I ^ 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 ^ October 11 , ^ 2010 , ^ there are no shares of this Class of the Fund ^ outstanding .
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^
|
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 V 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. Conflict 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 ^ any committee, sub-committee or group of Independent Trustees identified by such Board (as long as such committee, sub-committee or group contains at least two or more Independent Trustees), concerning the material conflict.
Once the Adviser notifies the relevant Board(s), ^ committee, sub-committee or group of Independent Trustees of the Board, of the material conflict, the Board(s), committee, sub- committee or ^ group of Independent Trustees , shall convene a meeting to review and consider all relevant materials related to the proxies involved. In considering such proxies, the Adviser shall make available all materials requested by the Board , committee , ^ sub-committee or group of Independent Trustees and make reasonably available appropriate personnel to discuss the matter upon request. The Board , committee , ^ sub-committee or group of Independent Trustees will instruct the Adviser on the appropriate course of action. If the Board, ^ committee, sub-committee or group of
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SAI dated October 12, 2010 |
Independent Trustees 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 , ^ sub-committee or group of Independent Trustees at its next meeting. Any determination regarding the voting of proxies of each Fund that is made by the ^ committee, sub-committee or group of Independent Trustees 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.
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APPENDIX E |
RICHARD BERNSTEIN ADVISORS LLC
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES |
I. Introduction
Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC (the " Firm ") is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the " Advisers Act "). The Firm has adopted these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures pursuant to Rule 206(4)-6 under the Advisers Act (the " Procedures "). These Procedures generally will govern whenever the Firm has authority to vote proxies relating to securities held in advisory client accounts, including fund accounts and separately managed accounts for which the Firm serves as investment adviser, investment sub-adviser, manager or in such other similar capacity, as applicable (each, a " Client ," and collectively, " Clients "). However, with respect to any Client that is an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (a " Registered Fund "), these Procedures may be superseded by the procedures adopted by the Registered Fund.
II. The Proxy Voting Process
All proxies are reviewed by the Firm's Chief Investment Officer (the " CIO ") in consultation with the Firm's Chief Compliance Officer (the " CCO "). The CCO votes the proxies according to the guidelines set forth below and, when necessary, determines the votes for issues not clearly specifically covered, applying the "General Principle" noted below. In addition, the CCO reviews, revises and updates the Procedures as necessary and appropriate.
III. General Principle
The Firm will vote any proxy or other beneficial interest in an equity security in a prudent manner the Firm believes to be in the best economic interest of the Client holding such security or on whose behalf the Firm is voting such security, considering all factors that the Firm believes to be relevant and without undue influence from individuals or groups (other than such Client, or Clients, as the case may be) who may have an economic interest in the outcome of a proxy vote. In limited circumstances, the Firm may refrain from voting proxies where it believes that voting would be inappropriate, weighing various factors and the anticipated costs and benefits to its Clients. The Firm may engage an independent, third-party proxy voting service to assist it in discharging its proxy-voting obligations, subject to adherence, in all material respects, to the guidelines herein (including, in particular, Section IV.B.1. herein).
IV. Specific Proposals
A. Routine Matters
Routine matters are typically proposed by Management (as defined below) of a company and meet the following criteria: (i) they do not measurably change the structure, management, control or operation of the company; (ii) they do not measurably change the terms of, or fees or expenses associated with, an investment in the company; and (iii) they are consistent with customary industry standards and practices, as well as the laws of the state of incorporation applicable to the company. For routine matters, the Firm will vote in accordance with the recommendation of the company's management, directors, general partners, managing members or trustees (collectively, " Management "), as applicable, unless, in the Firm's opinion, such recommendation is not in the best interests of the Client. 1. General Matters The Firm will generally vote for proposals: |
| to set time and location of annual meeting; |
| to change the fiscal year of the company; and |
| to change the name of a company. |
2. Board Members |
a. | Election or Re-Election. The Firm will generally vote for Management proposals to elect or re-elect members |
of a board of directors/trustees (the " Board "). | |
b. | Fees to Board Members. The Firm will generally vote for proposals to increase fees paid to the Board |
members, unless it determines that the compensation exceeds market standards. |
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3. | Capital Structure |
The Firm will generally vote for proposals to change capitalization, including to increase authorized common shares or to increase authorized preferred shares, as long as the proposal does not either: (i) establish a class or classes of shares or interests with terms that may disadvantage the class held by the Client; or (ii) result in disproportionate voting rights for preferred shares or other classes of shares or interests. |
4. | Appointment of Auditors |
The Firm will generally vote for the approval of auditors and proposals authorizing the Board to fix auditor fees, unless: |
| the Firm has serious concerns about the accountants presented, including their independence, or the audit |
procedures used; or | |
| the auditors are being changed without explanation. |
B. | Non-Routine Matters |
Non-routine matters involve a variety of issues and may be proposed by a company's Management or beneficial owners ( i.e., shareholders, members, partners, etc. (collectively, the " Owners ")). These proxies may involve one or more of the following: (i) a measurable change in the structure, management, control or operation of the company; (ii) a measurable change in the terms of, or fees or expenses associated with, an investment in the company; or (iii) a change that is inconsistent with industry standards and/or the laws of the state of incorporation applicable to the company. |
1. | Board Members |
a. | Term Limits. The Firm will generally vote for proposals to require a reasonable retirement age (e.g., 72) for | |
Board members, and will vote on a case-by-case basis on proposals to attempt to limit tenure. | ||
b. | Replacement. The Firm will generally vote against proposals that make it more difficult to replace Board | |
members, including proposals: | ||
| to stagger the Board; | |
| to overweight Management representation on the Board; | |
| to introduce cumulative voting (cumulative voting allows the Owners to "stack" votes behind one or a few | |
individuals for a position on the Board, thereby giving minority Owners a greater chance of electing the | ||
Board member(s)); | ||
| to introduce unequal voting rights; | |
| to create supermajority voting; or | |
| to establish pre-emptive rights. | |
c. | Liability and Indemnification. In order to promote accountability, the Firm will generally vote against proposals | |
to limit the personal liability of Board members for any breach of fiduciary duty or failure to act in good faith. | ||
d. | Ownership Issues. The Firm will generally vote for proposals that require Management to own a minimum | |
interest in the company. The purpose of this policy is to encourage the alignment of Management's interests | ||
with the interests of the Owners. However, the Firm will generally vote against proposals for stock options or | ||
other compensation that grant an ownership interest for Management if such proposals offer greater than | ||
[15%] of the outstanding securities of a company because such options may dilute the voting rights of other | ||
Owners. |
2. | Compensation, Fees and Expenses |
In general, the Firm will vote against proposals to increase compensation, fees or expenses to be paid to the Owners, unless the Firm determines that the benefits resulting to the company and its Owners justifies the increased compensation, fees or expenses.
3. | Voting Rights |
The Firm will generally vote against proposals: |
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund 36 SAI dated October 12, 2010 |
The Firm will generally vote for proposals that eliminate any of the foregoing rights or requirements. |
4. | Takeover Defenses and Related Actions | |
The Firm will generally vote against any proposal to create any plan or procedure designed primarily to discourage a takeover or other similar action, including "poison pills". Examples of "poison pills" include: | ||
|
||
|
large increases in the amount of stock authorized but not issued; | |
|
blank check preferred stock (stock with a fixed dividend and a preferential claim on company assets relative to common shares, the terms of which are set by the Board at a future date without further action by the Owners); | |
|
compensation that would act to reward Management as a result of a takeover attempt, whether successful or not, such as revaluing purchase price of stock options, or "golden parachutes"; | |
|
fixed price amendments that require a certain price to be offered to all of the Owners based on a fixed formula; and | |
|
greenmail provisions that allow a company to make payments to a bidder in order to persuade the bidder to abandon its takeover plans. | |
The Firm will generally vote for proposals that eliminate any of the foregoing rights or requirements, as well as proposals to: | ||
|
||
|
require that golden parachutes or golden handcuffs be submitted for ratification by the Owners; and | |
|
to opt out of state anti-takeover laws deemed by the Firm to be detrimental. |
The Firm will generally vote on a case-by-case basis regarding other proposals that may be used to prevent takeovers, such as the establishment of employee stock purchase or ownership plans. |
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9. | Social & Environmental Issues and Corporate Responsibility | |
The Firm will vote proxies relating to social and environmental issues on a case-by-case basis, but will generally vote for any proposals that will reduce discrimination, improve protections to minorities and disadvantaged classes, and increase conservation of resources and wildlife. | ||
The Firm will generally vote against any proposals that place arbitrary restrictions on the company's ability to invest, market, enter into contractual arrangements or conduct other activities. The Firm will also generally vote against proposals: | ||
|
||
|
to bar or restrict charitable contributions; or | |
|
to limit corporate political activities. | |
10. | All Other Matters | |
All other decisions regarding proxies will be determined on a case-by-case basis taking into account the general policy, as set forth above. |
C. Abstaining from Voting or Affirmatively Not Voting
The Firm will abstain from voting (which generally requires submission of a proxy voting card) or affirmatively decide not to vote if the Firm determines that abstaining or not voting is in the best interests of the relevant Client(s). In making such a determination, the Firm will consider various factors, including, but not limited to: (i) the costs associated with exercising the proxy ( e.g., translation or travel costs); (ii) any legal restrictions on trading resulting from the exercise of a proxy; and (iii) whether the Firm has sold the underlying securities since the record date for the proxy. The Firm will not abstain from voting or affirmatively decide not to vote merely to avoid a conflict of interest.
V. Conflicts of Interest
The Firm will make its best efforts to avoid material conflicts of interest in the voting of proxies. However, where material conflicts of interest arise, the Firm is committed to resolving the conflict in its Clients' best interest. If the Firm, as detected by the CIO or the CCO, determines (based on the combined decision of the CIO and the CCO) that it has, or may be perceived to have, a conflict of interest when voting a proxy, the Firm will address matters involving such conflicts of interest as follows:
A. | If a proposal is addressed by the specific policies herein, the Firm will vote in accordance with such policies; |
B. | If the Firm believes it is in the best interest of the relevant Client(s) to depart from the specific policies provided for herein, the Firm will be subject to the requirements of C or D below, as applicable; |
C. | If the proxy proposal is: (1) not addressed by the specific policies; or (2) requires a case-by-case determination by the Firm, the Firm may vote such proxy as it determines to be in the best interest of the investing Client(s), without taking any action described in D below, provided that such vote would be against the Firm's own interest in the matter ( i.e., against the perceived or actual conflict). The Firm will memorialize the rationale of such vote in writing; and |
D. | If the proxy proposal is: (1) not addressed by the specific policies; or (2) requires a case-by-case determination by the Firm, and the Firm believes it should vote in a way that may also benefit, or be perceived to benefit, its own interest, then the Firm must take one of the following actions in voting such proxy: (a) delegate the voting decision for such proxy proposal to an independent third party; (b) inform the Client(s) of the conflict of interest and obtain consent (majority consent in the case of a fund) to vote the proxy as recommended by the Firm; or (c) obtain approval of the decision from the CCO and outside counsel. |
VI. Procedures for Proxies
The CIO, in consultation with the CCO, will be responsible for determining whether each proxy is for a "routine" matter or not, as described above. All proxies identified as "routine" will be voted by the CCO in accordance with the Procedures.
Any proxies that are not clearly "routine" will be submitted to the CIO, who in consultation with the CCO will determine how to vote each such proxy by applying the Procedures. Upon making a decision, the proxy will be executed and returned to the CCO for submission to the company. Upon receipt of an executed proxy, the CCO will update the investing fund's or other Client's proxy voting record. The CCO is responsible for the actual voting of all proxies in a timely manner. The CCO also is responsible for monitoring the effectiveness of these Procedures.
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In the event the Firm determines that it should rely on the advice of an independent third party, including a proxy voting service, regarding the voting of a proxy, the Firm will submit the proxy to such third party and the CCO will execute the proxy in accordance with such third party's decision.
VII.Record of Proxy Voting/Retention
The CCO will maintain, or have available, written or electronic copies of each proxy statement received and of each executed proxy.
The CCO will also maintain records relating to each proxy, including: (i) the determination as to whether the proxy was routine or not; (ii) the voting decision with regard to each proxy; and (iii) any documents created by the CIO or others, that were material to making the voting decision.
The Firm will maintain a record of each written request from a Client or investor in a fund for proxy voting information and the Firm's written response to any such request.
The CCO will maintain such records in its offices for two years from the end of the fiscal year during which the record was created, and for an additional three years in an easily accessible place.
^ |
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PART C - OTHER INFORMATION |
Item 28. Exhibits (with inapplicable items omitted) |
(a) | (1) | Declaration of Trust dated May 25, 1989, filed as Exhibit (1)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. |
59 filed August 16, 1995 (Accession No. 0000950156-95-000600) and incorporated herein by | ||
reference. | ||
(2) | Amendment to the Declaration of Trust dated August 18, 1992 filed as Exhibit (1)(b) to Post- | |
Effective Amendment No. 59 filed August 16, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(3) | Amendment to the Declaration of Trust dated June 23, 1997 filed as Exhibit (1)(c) to Post-Effective | |
Amendment No. 68 filed August 25, 1997 (Accession No. 0000950156-97-000646) and | ||
incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(4) | Amendment to the Declaration of Trust dated August 11, 2008 filed as Exhibit (a)(4) to Post- | |
Effective Amendment No. 102 filed December 24, 2008 (Accession No. 0000940394-08- | ||
001633) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(5) | Amended and Restated Establishment and Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest, | |
Without Par Value, as amended effective August 9, 2010 filed herewith. | ||
(b) | (1) | By-Laws filed as Exhibit (2)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 filed August 16, 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. 59 filed August 16, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(3) | Amendment to By-Laws of Eaton Vance Growth Trust dated June 18, 2002 filed as Exhibit (b)(3) to | |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 filed December 23, 2002 (Accession No. 0000940394-02- | ||
000745) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(4) | Amendment to By-Laws of Eaton Vance Growth Trust dated February 7, 2005 filed as Exhibit (b)(4) | |
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 89 filed March 2, 2005 (Accession No. 0000940394-05- | ||
000248) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(5) | Amendment to By-Laws of Eaton Vance Growth Trust dated December 11, 2006 filed as Exhibit | |
(b)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 97 filed December 21, 2006 (Accession No. | ||
0000940394-06-001172) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(6) | Amendment to By-Laws of Eaton Vance Growth Trust dated August 11, 2008 filed as Exhibit (b)(6) | |
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 102 filed December 24, 2008 (Accession No. 0000940394-08- | ||
001633) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(c) | Reference is made to Item 28(a) and 28(b) above. | |
(d) | (1) | Investment Advisory Agreement with Boston Management and Research for Atlanta Capital |
Intermediate Bond Fund dated December 10, 2001 filed as Exhibit (d)(1) to Post-Effective | ||
Amendment No. 78 filed December 21, 2001 (Accession No. 0000940394-01-500575) and | ||
incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(2) | Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Boston Management and Research and Atlanta | |
Capital Management Company, LLC for Atlanta Capital Intermediate Bond Fund dated December | ||
10, 2001 filed as Exhibit (d)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 filed December 21, 2001 and | ||
incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(3) | Investment Advisory and Administrative Agreement between Eaton Vance Growth Trust, on behalf of | |
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund, and Eaton Vance Management | ||
dated August 9, 2010 filed herewith. | ||
(4) | Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Eaton Vance Management and Richard Bernstein | |
Advisors LLC dated August 9, 2010 filed herewith. |
C-1 |
(e) | (1) | Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement between Eaton Vance Growth Trust and Eaton Vance | |
Distributors, Inc. effective August 9, 2010 with attached Schedules A and B dated August 9, 2010 | |||
filed herewith. | |||
(2) | Selling Group Agreement between Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. and Authorized Dealers filed as | ||
Exhibit (e)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 filed to the Registration Statement of Eaton | |||
Vance Special Investment Trust (File Nos. 2-27962, 811-1545) filed April 26, 2007 (Accession | |||
No. 0000940394-07-000430) and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(f) | The Securities and Exchange Commission has granted the Registrant an exemptive order that | ||
permits the Registrant to enter into deferred compensation arrangements with its independent | |||
Trustees. See in the Matter of Capital Exchange Fund, Inc., Release No. IC-20671 (November 1, | |||
1994). | |||
(g) | (1) | Master Custodian Agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Company dated September 1, 2010 | |
filed as Exhibit (g)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 of Eaton Vance Special Investment | |||
Trust (File Nos. 2-27962, 811-1545) filed September 27, 2010 (Accession No. 0000940394- | |||
10-001000) and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(2) | Amended and Restated Services Agreement with State Street Bank & Trust Company dated | ||
September 1, 2010 filed as Exhibit (g)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 108 of Eaton Vance | |||
Special Investment Trust (File Nos. 2-27962, 811-1545) filed September 27, 2010 (Accession | |||
No. 0000940394-10-001000) and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(h) | (1) | (a) | Management Contract between Eaton Vance Growth Trust (on behalf of Eaton Vance Asian Small |
Companies Fund, Eaton Vance Information Age Fund, Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund and | |||
Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund) and Eaton Vance Management dated June 23, | |||
1997 filed as Exhibit (5)(a) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 filed August 25, 1997 and | |||
incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(b) | Fee Reduction Agreement between Eaton Vance Growth Trust and Eaton Vance Global Growth Fund | ||
dated July 28, 2006 to Management Contract dated June 23, 1997 filed as Exhibit (h)(1)(b) to | |||
Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 filed October 30, 2006 (Accession No. 0000940394-06- | |||
000845) and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(2) | (a) | Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement between Eaton Vance Growth Trust (on | |
behalf of certain of its series) and Eaton Vance Management dated December 10, 2001 with | |||
attached Schedule A dated December 10, 2001 filed as Exhibit (h)(2)(a) to Post-Effective | |||
Amendment No. 78 filed December 21, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(b) | Administrative Services Agreement between Eaton Vance Growth Trust (on behalf of certain of its | ||
series) and Eaton Vance Management effective December 10, 2001 with attached Schedule A | |||
dated December 10, 2001 filed as Exhibit (h)(2)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 filed | |||
December 21, 2001 and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(3) | (a) | Transfer Agency Agreement dated August 1, 2008 filed as Exhibit (h)(1) to Post-Effective | |
Amendment No. 70 of Eaton Vance Series Trust II (File Nos. 02-42722 and 811-02258) filed | |||
October 27, 2008 (Accession No. 0000940394-08-001324) and incorporated herein by | |||
reference. | |||
(b) | Red Flags Services Amendment effective May 1, 2009 to the Transfer Agency Agreement filed as | ||
Exhibit (h)(2)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 of Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II (File Nos. | |||
33-71320, 811-8134) filed May 28, 2009 (Accession No. 0000940394-09-000411) and | |||
incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(4) | Sub-Transfer Agency Services Agreement effective August 1, 2005 between PFPC Inc. and Eaton | ||
Vance Management filed as Exhibit (h)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 109 of Eaton Vance | |||
Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 02-90946 and 811-4015) filed August 25, 2005 (Accession No. | |||
0000940394-05-000983) and incorporated herein by reference. |
C-2 |
(5) | (a) | Expense Waivers/Reimbursements Agreement between Eaton Vance Management and Eaton Vance | |
Growth Trust, Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust, Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust and Eaton | |||
Vance Variable Trust (on behalf of certain of their series) dated October 16, 2007 filed as Exhibit | |||
(h)(5) to Post Effective Amendment No. 131 of Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 02-90946, 811- | |||
4015) filed November 26, 2007 and incoporated herein by reference. | |||
(b) | Amended Schedule A effective October 12, 2010 to the Expense Waivers/Reimbursements | ||
Agreement dated October 16, 2007 filed herewith. | |||
(6) | Expense Reduction Agreement between Eaton Vance Growth Trust, Eaton Vance Management and | ||
Lloyd George Investment Management (Bermuda) Ltd. filed as Exhibit (h)(6) to Post-Effective | |||
Amendment No. 102 filed December 24, 2008 (Accession No. 0000940394-08-001633) and | |||
incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(i) | (1) | Opinion of Internal Counsel dated July 29, 2010 filed as Exhibit (i) to Post Effective Amendment | |
No. 110 filed July 29, 2010 (Accession No. 0000940394-10-000802) and incorporated herein | |||
by reference. | |||
(2) | Consent of Internal Counsel dated October 11, 2010 filed herewith. | ||
(m) | (1) | (a) | Eaton Vance Growth Trust Class A Distribution Plan adopted June 23, 1997 and Amended April |
24, 2006 with attached Schedule A filed as Exhibit (m)(1) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 95 | |||
filed October 30, 2006 (accession No. 0000940394-06-000845) and incorporated herein by | |||
reference. | |||
(b) | Amended Schedule A to Eaton Vance Growth Trust Class A Distribution Plan effective August 9, | ||
2010 filed herewith. | |||
(2) | Eaton Vance Growth Trust Class A Distribution Plan adopted June 23, 1997 with attached | ||
Schedule A effective June 23, 1997 filed as Exhibit (15)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 | |||
and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(3) | Eaton Vance Growth Trust Class B Distribution Plan adopted June 23, 1997 with attached | ||
Schedule A effective June 23, 1997 filed as Exhibit (15)(c) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 | |||
filed August 25, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(4) | (a) | Eaton Vance Growth Trust Class C Distribution Plan adopted June 23, 1997 with attached | |
Schedule A effective June 23, 1997 filed as Exhibit (15)(d) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 | |||
filed August 25, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(b) | Amended Schedule A to Eaton Vance Growth Trust Class C Distribution Plan effective August 10, | ||
2009 filed as Exhibit (m)(4)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 105 filed September 29, 2009 | |||
(Accession No. 0000940394-09-000758) and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(5) | Eaton Vance Growth Trust Class D Distribution Plan adopted December 11, 2000 with attached | ||
Schedule A filed as Exhibit (m)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 76 filed January 22, 2001 | |||
(Accession No. 0000940394-01-500025) and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(6) | (a) | Eaton Vance Growth Trust Class R Distribution Plan adopted December 10, 2001 with attached | |
Schedule A filed as Exhibit (m)(6) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 78 filed December 21, 2001 | |||
and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(b) | Amended Schedule A effective June 15, 2009 to Eaton Vance Growth Trust Class R Distribution | ||
Plan filed as Exhibit (m)(6)(b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 filed July 30, 2009 | |||
(Accession No. 0000940394-09-000578) and incorporated herein by reference. | |||
(7) | Eaton Vance Growth Trust Class C Distribution Plan adopted August 9, 2010 with attached | ||
Schedule A effective August 9, 2010 filed herewith. | |||
(n) | (1) | Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan for Eaton Vance Funds dated August 6, 2007 filed as | |
Exhibit (n) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 128 of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 2- | |||
90946 and 811-4015) filed August 10, 2007 (Accession No. 0000940394-07-000956) and | |||
incorporated herein by reference. |
C-3 |
(2) | Schedule A effective August 9, 2010 to Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan filed as Exhibit | |
(n)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 161 of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 02- | ||
90946 and 811-4015) filed August 25, 2010 (Accession No. 0000940394-10-000859) and | ||
incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(3) | Schedule B effective August 9, 2010 to Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan filed as Exhibit | |
(n)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 161 of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 02- | ||
90946 and 811-4015) filed August 25, 2010 (Accession No. 0000940394-10-000859) and | ||
incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(4) | Schedule C effective August 9, 2010 to Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan filed as Exhibit | |
(n)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 161 of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 02- | ||
90946 and 811-4015) filed August 25, 2010 (Accession No. 0000940394-10-000859) and | ||
incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(p) | (1) | Code of Ethics adopted by Eaton Vance Corp., Eaton Vance Management, Boston Management and |
Research, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. and the Eaton Vance Funds effective September 1, 2000, | ||
as revised May 15, 2010 filed as Exhibit (r)(1) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 of Eaton Vance | ||
Tax-Advantaged Bond and Option Strategies Fund N-2 (File Nos. 333-164369, 811-22380) filed | ||
May 24, 2010 (Accession No. 0001193125-10-126745) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(2) | Code of Ethics adopted by 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 October 2008 filed as Exhibit (p)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 102 filed | ||
December 24, 2008 (Accession No. 0000940394-08-001633) and incorporated herein by | ||
reference. | ||
(3) | Amended and Restated Code of Ethics dated September 30, 2009 adopted by OrbiMed Advisors, | |
LLC filed as Exhibit (p)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 filed October 28, 2009 (Accession | ||
No. 0000940394-09-000808) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(4) | Code of Business Conduct and Ethics adopted by Atlanta Capital Management Company, LLC | |
effective January 1, 2006 as revised January 4, 2010 filed as Exhibit (p)(2) to Post-Effective | ||
Amendment No. 161 of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 02-90946 and 811-4015) | ||
filed August 25, 2010 (Accession No. 0000940394-10-000859) and incorporated herein by | ||
reference. | ||
(5) | Code of Ethics adopted by Eagle Global Advisors, LLC effective May 14, 2004 (as revised October | |
19, 2009) filed as Exhibit (p)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 106 filed October 28, 2009 | ||
(Accession No. 0000940394-09-000808) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(6) | Code of Ethics adopted by Parametric Portfolio Associates effective January 2, 2006 as revised | |
February 4, 2010 filed as Exhibit (p)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 155 of Eaton Vance | ||
Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 02-90946, 811-4015) filed March 31, 2010 (Accession No. | ||
0000940394-10-000341) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(7) | Code of Ethics adopted August, 2010 by Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC, updated October, 2010 filed herewith. | |
(q) | (1) | Power of Attorney for Eaton Vance Growth Trust dated November 1, 2005 filed as Exhibit (q) to |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 102 of Eaton Vance Municipals Trust (File Nos. 33-572, 811-4409) | ||
filed November 29, 2005 (Accession No. 0000940394-05-001357) and incorporated herein by | ||
reference. | ||
(2) | Power of Attorney for the President of Eaton Vance Growth Trust dated November 1, 2005 filed as | |
Exhibit (q)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 94 filed January 27, 2006 (Accession No. | ||
0000940394-06-000125) and incorporated herein by reference. |
C-4 |
(3) | Power of Attorney for Asian Small Companies Portfolio, Global Growth Portfolio, Greater China |
Growth Portfolio, Growth Portfolio, Large-Cap Growth Portfolio, Small-Cap Portfolio and Worldwide | |
Health Sciences Portfolio dated November 1, 2005 filed as Exhibit (q)(2) to Post-Effective | |
Amendment No. 93 filed December 23, 2005 (Accession No. 0000940394-05-001402) and | |
incorporated herein by reference. | |
(4) | Power of Attorney for Asian Small Companies Portfolio, Global Growth Portfolio, Greater China |
Growth Portfolio and Growth Portfolio dated November 1, 2005 filed as Exhibit (q)(3) to Post- | |
Effective Amendment No. 93 filed December 23, 2005 (Accession No. 0000940394-05-001402) | |
and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(5) | Power of Attorney for Global Growth Portfolio and Growth Portfolio dated November 1, 2005 filed as |
Exhibit (q)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 filed December 23, 2005 (Accession No. | |
0000940394-05-001402) and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(6) | Powers of Attorney for Worldwide Health Sciences Portfolio dated November 1, 2005 filed as |
Exhibit (q)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 93 filed December 23, 2005 (Accession No. | |
0000940394-05-001402) and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(7) | Powers of Attorney for Asian Small Companies Portfolio, Global Growth Portfolio, Growth Portfolio, |
Greater China Growth Portfolio, Large-Cap Growth Portfolio, Small-Cap Portfolio, and Worldwide | |
Health Sciences Portfolio dated November 1, 2005 filed as Exhibit (q)(7) to Post-Effective | |
Amendment No. 94 filed January 27, 2006 (Accession No. 0000940394-06-000125) and | |
incorporated herein by reference. | |
(8) | Powers of Attorney for Eaton Vance Growth Trust dated April 23, 2007 filed as Exhibit (q)(8) to |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 filed December 20, 2007 (Accession No. 0000940394-07- | |
002090) and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(9) | Powers of Attorney for Asian Small Companies Portfolio, Global Growth Portfolio, Growth Portfolio, |
Greater China Growth Portfolio, Large-Cap Growth Portfolio, Small-Cap Portfolio, and Worldwide | |
Health Sciences Portfolio dated April 23, 2007 filed as Exhibit (q)(9) to Post-Effective Amendment | |
No. 99 filed December 20, 2007 (Accession No. 0000940394-07-002090) and incorporated | |
herein by reference. | |
(10) | Power of Attorney for Eaton Vance Growth Trust dated November 12, 2007 filed as Exhibit (q)(10) |
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 99 filed December 20, 2007 (Accession No. 0000940394-07- | |
002090) and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(11) | Power of Attorney for Eaton Vance Growth Trust dated January 1, 2008 filed as Exhibit (q)(11) to |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 filed January 24, 2008 (Accession No. 0000940394-08- | |
000061) and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(12) | Power of Attorney for Large-Cap Portfolio and SMID-Cap Portfolio dated January 1, 2008 filed as |
Exhibit (q)(12) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 100 filed January 24, 2008 (Accession No. | |
0000940394-08-000061) and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(13) | Power of Attorney for Eaton Vance Growth Trust dated November 17, 2008 filed as Exhibit (q)(13) |
to Post-Effective Amendment No. 102 filed December 24, 2008 (Accession No. 0000940394-08- | |
001633) and incorporated herein by reference. | |
(14) | Power of Attorney for Large-Cap Portfolio and SMID-Cap Portfolio dated November 17, 2008 filed |
as Exhibit (q)(14) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 filed January 26, 2009 (Accession No. | |
0000940394-09-000040) and incorporated herein by reference. |
C-5 |
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control
Not applicable
Item 30. Indemnification
Article IV of the Registrants 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 agreement of the Registrant also provides for reciprocal indemnity of the principal underwriter, on the one hand, and the Trustees and officers, on the other.
Item 31. 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. Form 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) Boston Management and Research (File No. 801-43127), Lloyd George (Bermuda) (File No. 801-40889), Lloyd George (Hong Kong) (File No. 801-40890), OrbiMed (File No. 801-34429), Atlanta Capital Management Company, LLC (File No. 801-52179), Eagle Global Advisors, LLC (File No. 801-53294) and Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC (File No. 801-71501) filed with the Commission, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 32. Principal Underwriters
C-6
Rob Curtis | Vice President | None |
Russell E. Curtis | Vice President and Chief Operations Officer | None |
Kevin Darrow | Vice President | None |
Drew Devereaux | Vice President | None |
Derek Devine | Vice President | None |
Todd Dickinson | Vice President | None |
John Dolan | Vice President | None |
Brian Dunkley | Vice President | None |
James Durocher | Senior Vice President | None |
Margaret Egan | Vice President | None |
Robert Ellerbeck | Vice President | None |
Daniel Ethier | Vice President | None |
Troy Evans | Vice President | None |
Lawrence L. Fahey | Vice President | None |
Thomas E. Faust Jr. | Director | Trustee and President |
Daniel Flynn | Vice President | None |
James Foley | Vice President | None |
J. Timothy Ford | Vice President | None |
Kathleen Fryer | Vice President | None |
Jonathan Futterman | Vice President | None |
Anne Marie Gallagher | Vice President | None |
William M. Gillen | Senior Vice President | None |
Hugh S. Gilmartin | Vice President | None |
David Gordon | Vice President | None |
Linda Grasso | Vice President | None |
John Greenway | Vice President | None |
Jorge Gutierrez | Vice President | None |
Peter Hartman | Vice President | None |
Richard Hein | Vice President | None |
Joseph Hernandez | Vice President | None |
Dori Hetrick | Vice President | None |
Perry D. Hooker | Vice President | None |
Christian Howe | Vice President | None |
Thomas Hughes | Vice President | None |
Jonathan Isaac | Vice President | None |
Elizabeth Johnson | Vice President | None |
Paul F. Jones | Vice President | None |
Steve Jones | Vice President | None |
Sean Kelly | Senior Vice President | None |
William Kennedy | Vice President | None |
Kathleen Krivelow | Vice President | None |
Russell Kubie | Vice President | None |
David Lefcourt | Vice President | None |
Paul Leonardo | Vice President | None |
Lauren Loehning | Vice President | None |
John Loy | Vice President | None |
Coleen Lynch | Vice President | None |
John Macejka | Vice President | None |
Michael Maguire | Vice President | None |
Christopher Marek | Vice President | None |
Frederick S. Marius | Vice President, Secretary, Clerk and Chief Legal Officer | None |
Geoff Marshall | Vice President | None |
C-7
Christopher Mason | Vice President | None |
Judy Snow May | Vice President | None |
Dan McCarthy | Vice President | None |
Daniel J. McCarthy | Vice President | None |
Don McCaughey | Vice President | None |
Andy McClelland | Vice President | None |
Dave McDonald | Vice President | None |
Tim McEwen | Vice President | None |
Shannon McHugh-Price | Vice President | None |
Jac McLean | Senior Vice President | None |
David Michaud | Vice President | None |
Mark Milan | Vice President | None |
Don Murphy | Vice President | None |
James A. Naughton | Vice President | None |
Matthew Navins | Vice President | None |
Mark D. Nelson | Vice President | None |
Scott Nelson | Vice President | None |
Linda D. Newkirk | Vice President | None |
Paul Nicely | Vice President | None |
Paul Nobile | Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer | None |
Andrew Ogren | Vice President | None |
Stephen OLoughlin | Vice President | None |
Philip Pace | Vice President | None |
James Putman | Vice President | None |
James Queen | Vice President | None |
Christopher Remington | Vice President | None |
David Richman | Vice President | None |
Kevin Rookey | Vice President | None |
Scott Ruddick | Senior Vice President | None |
Stuart Shaw | Vice President | None |
Michael Shea | Vice President | None |
Alan Simeon | Vice President | None |
Randy Skarda | Vice President | None |
Kerry Smith | Vice President | None |
Jamie Smoller | Vice President | None |
Bill Squadroni | Vice President | None |
David Stokkink | Vice President | None |
Mike Sullivan | Vice President | None |
Frank Sweeney | Vice President | None |
Gigi Szekely | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer | None |
Brian Taranto | Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer | None |
Wayne Taylor | Vice President | None |
Stefan Thielen | Vice President | None |
John M. Trotsky | Vice President | None |
Geoffrey Underwood | Vice President | None |
Randolph Verzillo | Vice President | None |
Greg Walsh | Vice President | None |
Stan Weiland | Vice President | None |
Robert J. Whelan | Vice President and Director | None |
Greg Whitehead | Vice President | None |
Steve Widder | Vice President | None |
Matthew J. Witkos | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director | None |
C-8
Joseph Yasinski | Vice President | None |
Trey Young | Vice President | None |
Gregor Yuska | Vice President | None |
* | Address is Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110 |
(c) Not applicable
Item 33. 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, State Street Bank and Trust Company, 200 Clarendon Street, 16th Floor, Mail Code ADM27, Boston, MA 02116, and its transfer agent, BNY Mellon Asset Servicing, 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 .
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable
Item 35. Undertakings
None.
C-9
SIGNATURES |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Amendment to the Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and 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 October 11, 2010 .
EATON VANCE GROWTH 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 their capacities indicated on October 11, 2010 .
Signature | Title |
/s/ Thomas E. Faust Jr. | Trustee and President (Chief Executive Officer) |
Thomas E. Faust Jr. | |
/s/ Barbara E. Campbell | Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
Barbara E. Campbell | |
Benjamin C. Esty* | Trustee |
Benjamin C. Esty | |
Allen R. Freedman* | Trustee |
Allen R. Freedman | |
William H. Park* | Trustee |
William H. Park | |
Ronald A. Pearlman* | Trustee |
Ronald A. Pearlman | |
Helen Frame Peters* | Trustee |
Helen Frame Peters | |
Heidi L. Steiger* | Trustee |
Heidi L. Steiger | |
Lynn A. Stout* | Trustee |
Lynn A. Stout | |
Ralph F. Verni* | Trustee |
Ralph F. Verni | |
*By: /s/ Maureen A. Gemma | |
Maureen A. Gemma (As attorney-in-fact) |
C-10
EXHIBIT INDEX |
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) | (5) | Amended and Restated Establishment and Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest, | |
Without Par Value, as amended effective August 9, 2010 | |||
(d) | (3) | Investment Advisory and Administrative Agreement between Eaton Vance Growth Trust, on behalf of | |
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund, and Eaton Vance Management | |||
dated August 9, 2010 | |||
(4) | Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between Eaton Vance Management and Richard Bernstein | ||
Advisors LLC dated August 9, 2010 | |||
(e) | (1) | Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement between Eaton Vance Growth Trust and Eaton Vance | |
Distributors, Inc. effective August 9, 2010 with attached Schedules A and B dated August 9, 2010 | |||
(h) | (5) | (b) | Amended Schedule A effective October 12, 2010 to the Expense Waivers/Reimbursements |
Agreement dated October 16, 2007 | |||
(i) | (2) | Consent of Internal Counsel dated October 11, 2010 | |
(m) | (1) | (b) | Amended Schedule A to Eaton Vance Growth Trust Class A Distribution Plan effective August 9, 2010 |
(7) | Eaton Vance Growth Trust Class C Distribution Plan adopted August 9, 2010 with attached | ||
Schedule A effective August 9, 2010 | |||
(p) | (7) | Code of Ethics adopted August, 2010 by Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC, updated October, 2010 |
C-11
EXHIBIT (a)(5) |
EATON VANCE GROWTH TRUST
Amended and Restated Establishment and Designation of Series of Shares of Beneficial Interest, Without Par Value (as amended and restated effective August 9, 2010) |
WHEREAS, the Trustees of Eaton Vance Growth Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust), have previously designated separate series (or Funds); and
WHEREAS, the Trustees now desire to add a new Fund, Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund and to further redesignate the Series or Funds, pursuant to Section 5.1 of Article V of the Trusts Declaration of Trust dated May 25, 1989 (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 August 9, 2010:
Eaton Vance Asian Small Companies Fund
Eaton Vance-Atlanta Capital Focused Growth Fund Eaton Vance-Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund Eaton Vance Global Growth Fund Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund Eaton Vance Multi-Cap Growth Fund Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences 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.
(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 and I |
Eaton Vance-Atlanta Capital Focused Growth Fund | |
(b) | Classes A, B and C |
Eaton Vance Global Growth Fund Eaton Vance Multi-Cap Growth Fund | |
(c) | Classes A, B, C, I and R |
Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund | |
(d) | Classes A, C, I and R |
Eaton Vance-Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund | |
(e) | Classes A and B |
Eaton Vance Asian Small Companies Fund | |
(f) | Classes A, B, C and I |
Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund | |
(g) | Classes A, C and I |
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund |
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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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned certifies that this amendment has been duly adopted at a meeting of the Board of Trustees held on August 9, 2010. Signed this 27 th day of September, 2010.
/s/ Maureen A. Gemma
Maureen A. Gemma Secretary to the Trust |
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EXHIBIT (d)(3) |
EATON VANCE GROWTH TRUST |
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGREEMENT
ON BEHALF OF |
EATON VANCE RICHARD BERNSTEIN MULTI-MARKET
EQUITY STRATEGY FUND
AGREEMENT made this 9th day of August, 2010, between Eaton Vance Growth Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust), on behalf of Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund (the Fund), and Eaton Vance Management, a Massachusetts business trust (Eaton Vance).
1. Duties of Eaton Vance . The Trust hereby employs Eaton Vance to act as investment adviser for and to manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund and to administer the Funds affairs, subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust, for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement.
Eaton Vance hereby accepts such employment, and undertakes to afford to the Trust the advice and assistance of Eaton Vances organization in the choice of investments, in the purchase and sale of securities and in the administration of 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 Eaton Vances organization and all personnel of Eaton Vance performing services relating to research and investment and administrative activities. Eaton Vance 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.
Eaton Vance 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, Eaton Vance 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. Eaton Vance 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, derivatives, 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 Eaton Vance thereof in writing, Eaton Vance 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. Eaton Vance 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.
Eaton Vance 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 Eaton Vance, and to that end Eaton Vance 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, Eaton Vance shall adhere to procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust.
2. Compensation of Eaton Vance . For the services, payments and facilities to be furnished hereunder by Eaton Vance, Eaton Vance shall be entitled to receive from the Fund fees in an amount equal to the following average daily net assets of the Fund throughout each month:
Average Daily Net Assets for the Month | Annual Fee Rate |
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Up to $500 million | 0.900% |
$500 million but less than $1 billion | 0.850% |
$1 billion but less than $2.5 billion | 0.825% |
$2.5 billion but less than $5 billion | 0.800% |
$5 billion and over | 0.780% |
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.
3. Allocation of Charges and Expenses . Eaton Vance shall pay the entire salaries and fees of all of the Trusts Trustees and officers employed by Eaton Vance and who devote part or all of their time to the affairs of Eaton Vance, and the salaries and fees of such persons shall not be deemed to be expenses incurred by the Trust for purposes of this Section 3. Except as provided in the foregoing sentence, it is understood that the Fund will pay all expenses other than those expressly stated to be payable by Eaton Vance hereunder, which expenses payable by the Fund shall include, without implied limitation, (i) expenses of organizing and 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 Trust, 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 principal underwriter, if any, 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 Eaton Vances 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.
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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 Eaton Vance as trustees, officers, employees, shareholders or otherwise and that trustees, officers, employees and shareholders of Eaton Vance are or may be or become similarly interested in the Fund, and that Eaton Vance may be or become interested in the Fund as a shareholder or otherwise. It is also understood that trustees, officers, employees and shareholders of Eaton Vance 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 Eaton Vance may organize, sponsor or acquire, or with which it may merge or consolidate, and which may include the words Eaton Vance or Boston Management and Research or any combination thereof as part of their name, and that Eaton Vance 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 Eaton Vance . The services of Eaton Vance to the Trust and the Fund are not to be deemed to be exclusive, Eaton Vance being free to render services to others and engage in other business activities. In the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties hereunder on the part of Eaton Vance, Eaton Vance shall not be subject to liability to the Trust or the Fund 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-Advisers and Sub-Administrators . Eaton Vance may employ one or more sub-advisers or sub-administrators from time to time to perform such of the acts and services of Eaton Vance 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 Eaton Vance and such sub-adviser or sub-administrator and approved by the Trustees of the Trust, all as permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940. The performance of each such sub-investment adviser or sub-administrator of its obligation under any such agreement shall be supervised by Eaton Vance. Further, Eaton Vance may, with the approval of the Trustees of the Trust and without the vote of any Interests in the Trust, terminate any agreement with any sub-investment adviser or sub-administrator and/or enter into an agreement with one or more other sub-investment advisers or sub-administrators, all as permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules hereunder. In the event a sub-adviser or sub-administrator is employed, Eaton Vance retains the authority to immediately assume responsibility for any functions delegated to a sub-adviser or sub-administrator, subject to approval by the Board and notice to the sub-adviser or sub-administrator.
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 the second anniversary of the execution of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and effect indefinitely thereafter, but only so long as such continuance after such second anniversary 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 Eaton Vance 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 Eaton Vance, as the case may be, and the Trust may, at any time upon such written notice to Eaton Vance, 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.
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8. Amendments of the Agreement . This Agreement may be amended by a writing signed by both parties hereto, provided that no material 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 Eaton Vance 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 . Eaton Vance expressly acknowledges the provision in the Declaration of Trust of the Trust limiting the personal liability of shareholders of the Fund, and Eaton Vance 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 Eaton Vance 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. Eaton Vance 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 Eaton Vance or one of its affiliates as the investment adviser or administrator 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 Eaton Vance and its affiliates and other investment companies that have obtained consent to the use of the name Eaton Vance. Eaton Vance 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 Eaton Vance or one of its affiliates as the Funds investment adviser or administrator. Future names adopted by the Fund for itself, insofar as such names include identifying words requiring the consent of Eaton Vance, shall be the property of Eaton Vance 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 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 GROWTH TRUST
(on behalf of Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund) By: /s/ Thomas E. Faust Jr. Thomas E. Faust Jr., President EATON VANCE MANAGEMENT By: / s/ Maureen A. Gemma Maureen A. Gemma, Vice President |
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EXHIBIT (d)(4) |
INVESTMENT SUB-ADVISORY AGREEMENT
RELATING TO EATON VANCE RICHARD BERNSTEIN MULTI-MARKET EQUITY STRATEGY FUND |
THIS AGREEMENT (this Agreement) is effective as of the 9th day of August, 2010 between Eaton Vance Management, a Massachusetts business trust (the Adviser), and Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the Sub-Adviser).
WHEREAS, Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund (the Fund), a series of Eaton Vance Growth Trust (the Trust), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end, management investment company; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Investment Advisory and Administrative Agreement dated August 9, 2010 (the Advisory Agreement), a copy of which has been provided to the Sub-Adviser the Trust has retained the Adviser to render advisory and management services to the Fund; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to authority granted to the Adviser in the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser wishes to retain the Sub-Adviser to furnish investment advisory services to the Fund, and the Sub-Adviser is willing to furnish such services to the Fund and the Adviser.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants herein contained, it is agreed between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser as follows:
1. Appointment . The Adviser hereby appoints the Sub-Adviser to act as the investment adviser for and to manage the investment and reinvestment of that portion of the Funds assets that shall be allocated to the Sub-Adviser, subject to the supervision of the Adviser, for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to furnish the services set forth herein for the compensation herein provided. Subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act, the Adviser has the authority in its discretion to alter the allocation of the Funds assets among the Sub-Adviser, the Adviser and any other appointed sub-adviser. The Adviser undertakes to provide the Sub-Adviser with reasonable advance written notice of any action (including, without limitation, actions with respect to the policies and procedures and/or to the Registration Statement (as defined below) by the Trusts Board of Trustees (the Board)) relating to the Fund which action is likely to have any impact on the Sub-Advisers ability to provide services under this Agreement. The Adviser agrees that, provided it is within its ability, it will allow for a reasonable implementation period for any such action and Sub-Adviser agrees it will make a reasonable effort to implement any such action within such implementation period.
2. Sub-Adviser Duties . Subject to the supervision of the Board and the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser will provide a continuous investment program for the Funds portfolio and determine in its discretion the composition of the assets of the Funds portfolio, including with respect to the purchase, retention, and sale of the securities, cash, and other investments in the portfolio. The Sub-Adviser will provide investment research and conduct an ongoing program of evaluation, investment, sales and reinvestment of the Funds assets and determine the securities and other investments that shall be purchased, sold, closed, or exchanged for the
Fund, when these transactions should be executed, and what portion of the assets of the Fund should be held in such securities and investments. Subject to all other terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, Section 2(a), the Sub-Adviser will provide the services under this Agreement in accordance with the Funds investment objective or objectives, policies, and restrictions as stated in the Trusts Registration Statement as it relates to the Fund filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), as amended (the Registration Statement), copies of which shall be sent to the Sub-Adviser by the Adviser prior to the commencement of this Agreement and promptly following any such amendment, as well as with investment parameters for the Fund (including portfolio risk limits) to be agreed upon in writing from time to time by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser further agrees (in all cases subject to the other terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation Section 1) as follows:
a. The Sub-Adviser will abide by: (i) the 1940 Act and all rules and regulations thereunder, and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations; (ii) any applicable procedures adopted by the Board; (iii) the provisions of the Registration Statement applicable to the Fund; and (iv) with the Sub-Advisers compliance policies and procedures as are approved by the Adviser.
b. The Sub-Adviser will manage the Fund so that it meets the income and asset diversification requirements of Section 851 of the U.S Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code).
c. The Sub-Adviser shall exercise voting authority with respect to proxies that the Fund is entitled to vote with regard to securities in the Funds portfolio, provided that such authority may be revoked in whole or in part by the Adviser at any time upon written notice to the Sub-Adviser and provided further that the proxies that have been voted by the Sub-Adviser for the Fund shall be subject to review by the Adviser and the Board upon request. The Sub-Adviser shall exercise its proxy voting authority hereunder in accordance with such proxy voting policies and procedures of the Sub-Adviser as are approved by the Adviser and the Board. The Sub-Adviser shall provide such information relating to its exercise of proxy voting authority hereunder (including the manner in which it has voted proxies and its resolution of conflicts of interest) as reasonably requested by the Adviser from time to time. The Sub-Adviser shall provide the proxy voting history for the Fund to the Adviser, or any third party agent designated by the Adviser (currently Broadridge), in a timely manner for inclusion in the Funds requisite Form N-PX.
d. In connection with the purchase and sale of securities for the Fund, the Sub-Adviser will arrange for the transmission to the custodian for the Trust (the Custodian) on a daily basis such confirmation, trade tickets, and other documents and information, including, but not limited to, Cusip, Cedel, or other numbers that identify securities purchased or sold on behalf of the Fund, as may be reasonably necessary to enable the Custodian to perform its administrative and recordkeeping responsibilities with respect to the Trust.
e. The Sub-Adviser will assist the Custodian in determining or confirming, consistent with the procedures and policies stated in the Registration Statement or adopted by the Board, the value of any portfolio securities or other assets of the Fund for which the Custodian seeks assistance from or identifies for review by the Sub-Adviser, and will otherwise perform the activities of a Fund sub-adviser as described in the Funds valuation procedures. The parties acknowledge that the Sub-Adviser is not a custodian of the Trusts assets and will not take possession or custody of such assets.
f. Following the end of each of the Funds fiscal periods, the Sub-Adviser will assist the Adviser in preparing any reports required by applicable rules and regulations, such as Form N-CSR, Form-NSAR and Form N-Q, as well as the letter to shareholders containing a discussion of those factors referred to in Item 27 of Form N-1A. The Sub-Adviser will also provide periodic commentaries regarding the Fund as reasonably requested by the Adviser (to be subject to review and editing by the Adviser and further subject to the terms of Section 7 hereof). The Sub-Adviser also will provide to the Trust any certifications relating to the content of any such report, letter or commentary as is reasonably requested by the Trust, a current form of which has been provided to the Sub-Adviser.
g. The Sub-Adviser will complete and deliver to the Adviser for each quarter by the 5 th business day of the following quarter a written compliance checklist in a form provided by the Adviser, risk management and related analytic reports and such other reports as mutually agreed upon by the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. For purposes of this Agreement, business day means any day other than (a) Saturday and Sunday, and (b) any other day on which the New York Stock Exchange is closed.
h. The Sub-Adviser will make available to the Trust and the Adviser, promptly upon request, any of the Funds investment records and ledgers maintained by the Sub-Adviser (which shall not include the records and ledgers maintained by the Custodian or portfolio accounting agent for the Trust) as are necessary to assist the Trust and the Adviser to comply with requirements of the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act), and the rules under each, as well as other applicable laws. The Sub-Adviser will furnish to regulatory authorities having the requisite authority any information or reports in connection with such services in respect to the Fund which may be requested in order to ascertain whether the operations of the Fund are being conducted in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
i. The Sub-Adviser will provide for consideration at meetings of the Board on the investment program for the Fund and the issuers and securities represented in the Funds portfolio, and will furnish the Board or the Adviser with such periodic and special reports as the Board or the Adviser may reasonably request.
j. The Sub-Adviser will maintain insurance for its directors and officer and errors and omissions insurance in an adequate amount. The Sub-Adviser will not be responsible for filing claims in class action settlements related to securities currently or previously held by that portion of the Fund allocated to it by the Adviser, but agrees to deliver to the Custodian any notices it received relating to such claims.
k. The Sub-Adviser shall conduct its business at all times consistent with its status as a fiduciary to the Fund and its shareholders .
3. Broker-Dealer Selection . The Sub-Adviser is authorized to make decisions to buy and sell securities and other investments for the Funds portfolio, and to select broker-dealers and to negotiate brokerage commission rates in effecting investment transactions, provided the Sub-Adviser shall adhere to the Funds procedures relating to brokerage allocation. The Sub-Adviser will report on brokerage allocation to the Adviser and the Board indicating the broker-dealers to which such allocations have been made and the basis therefore as the Adviser or the Board reasonably requests.
4. Disclosure about the Sub-Adviser . The Sub-Adviser has reviewed the amendment to the Registration Statement for the Trust relating to the initial offering of the Fund that contains disclosure about the Sub-Adviser, and represents and warrants that, with respect to the disclosure about the Sub-Adviser or its investment process or information relating directly to the Sub-Adviser, such Registration Statement contains, as of the date hereof, no untrue statement of any material fact and does not omit any statement of a material fact which was required to be stated therein in order to make the statements contained therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. The Sub-Adviser further represents and warrants that it is a duly registered investment adviser under the Advisers Act and will maintain such registration so long as this Agreement remains in effect. The Adviser hereby acknowledges that it has received a copy of the Sub-Advisers Form ADV, Part II at least 48 hours prior to entering into this Agreement.
5. Expenses . During the term of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser will pay all expenses incurred by it and its staff and for their activities in connection with its duties under this Agreement, including, but not limited to, rental and overhead expenses, expenses of the Sub-Advisers personnel, insurance of the Sub-Adviser and its personnel, research services (except as may be permitted under the Funds policies and procedures) and taxes of the Sub-Adviser. The Adviser or the Trust shall be responsible for all the expenses of the Funds or the Advisers operations, including, without limitation, costs of marketing or distributing shares of the Fund, brokerage expenses and commissions (which includes mark-ups and mark-downs), custody and banking expenses, administration expenses, legal, audit and other professional expenses, governmental filing fees, and costs of communications with shareholders.
6. Compensation . For the services provided to the Fund, the Adviser will pay the Sub-Adviser an annual fee equal to the amount specified in Schedule A hereto, payable monthly in arrears on the last business day of each month. The fee will be appropriately prorated to reflect any portion of a calendar month that this Agreement is not in effect among the parties. The Adviser is solely responsible for the payment of fees to the Sub-Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser agrees to seek payment of its fees solely from the Adviser. The Trust shall have no liability for the Sub-Advisers fee hereunder.
7. Materials . During the term of this Agreement, the Adviser agrees to furnish the Sub-Adviser at its principal office all disclosure relating to the Sub-Adviser, its services and clients, and the Funds investment policies and strategies to be contained in materials prepared by the Adviser or its affiliates (including prospectuses, proxy statements, reports to shareholders, sales literature, or other materials prepared for distribution to financial intermediaries, shareholders of the Fund or the public) prior to the first use thereof, and the Adviser shall not use any such disclosure if the Sub-Adviser reasonably objects in writing within 2 business days (or such other period as may be mutually agreed) after receipt thereof. The Sub-Advisers right to object to such disclosure is limited to reasonable objections only on the grounds of the accuracy or completeness of the aforesaid disclosure.
8. Compliance .
a. As required by Rule 206(4)-7 under the Advisers Act, the Sub-Adviser has adopted written policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent violation by it, or any of its supervised persons, of the Advisers Act and the rules under the Advisers Act and all other laws and regulations relevant to the performance of its duties under this Agreement. The Sub-Adviser has designated a chief compliance officer responsible for administering these compliance policies and procedures. The chief compliance officer at the Sub-Advisers expense
shall provide such written compliance reports relating to the operations and compliance procedures of the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser and/or the Trust and their respective chief compliance officers as may be required by law or regulation or as are otherwise reasonably requested. Moreover, the Sub-Adviser agrees to use such additional compliance techniques as the Adviser or the Board may reasonably adopt or approve, including additional written compliance procedures. In addition, the Sub-Adviser shall retain at its own expense the services of the Custodian or any other third party as requested by the Board to monitor the compliance of the Funds portfolio with the investment objective, policies and restrictions set forth in the Registration Statement.
b. The Sub-Adviser agrees that it shall promptly notify, if legally permitted, the Adviser and the Trust (1) in the event that the SEC has censured the Sub-Adviser; placed limitations upon its activities, functions or operations; suspended or revoked its registration as an investment adviser; or has commenced proceedings or an investigation (formal or informal) that is likely to reasonably result in any of these actions; or corresponded with the Sub-Adviser, including sending a deficiency letter or raising issues about the business, operations, or practices of the Sub-Adviser; (2) in the event of any notice of an investigation, examination, inquiry audit or subpoena of the Sub-Adviser or any of its officers or employees by any federal, state or other governmental agency or body, (3) upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund has ceased to qualify or is likely not to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, (4) upon detection of any breach of any of the Funds policies, guidelines or procedures and of any violation of any applicable law or regulation, including the 1940 Act and Subchapter M of the Code, relating to that portion of the Funds assets allocated to the Sub-Adviser, or (5) upon detection of any material violations of the Sub-Advisers compliance policies and procedures that relate to the Fund or the Sub-Advisers activities generally, such as when the violation could be considered material to the Sub-Advisers advisory clients. If legally permitted, the Sub-Adviser will furnish to the Adviser upon request copies of any and all documents relating to the foregoing. The Sub-Adviser further agrees to promptly notify the Adviser and the Trust of any fact material to the Trust, the Adviser, the Board or shareholders of the Fund known to the Sub-Adviser respecting or relating to the Sub-Adviser that is not contained in the Registration Statement or prospectus for the Fund, or any amendment or supplement thereto received by the Sub-Adviser, or if any statement contained therein relating to the Sub-Adviser becomes untrue in any material respect.
c. The Adviser agrees that it shall promptly notify, if legally permitted, the Sub-Adviser (1) in the event that the SEC has censured the Adviser or the Trust with respect to the Fund; placed limitations upon either of their activities, functions, or operations; suspended or revoked the Advisers registration as an investment adviser; or has commenced proceedings or a formal investigation that is reasonably likely to result in any of these actions, (2) in the event of any notice of a formal investigation of the Adviser or any of its officers by any federal or state agency, provided that such investigation directly relates to the services provided by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement; (3) upon having a reasonable basis for believing that the Fund has ceased to qualify or is likely not to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code; or (4) upon detection of any material breach of any of the Funds policies, guidelines or procedures and of any violation of any applicable law or regulation, including the1940 Act and Subchapter M of the Code.
d. The Sub-Adviser will provide the Adviser with such reports, presentations, certifications and other information as the Adviser may reasonably request from time to time, in a format mutually agreed upon, concerning the business and operations of the Sub-Adviser in performing services hereunder or generally concerning the Sub-Advisers investment advisory
services, the Sub-Advisers compliance with applicable federal, state and local law and regulations, and changes in the Sub-Advisers key personnel, investment strategies, policies and procedures, and other matters that are likely to have a material impact on the Sub-Advisers duties hereunder.
9. Books and Records . The Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that all records which it maintains for the Fund are the property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trusts or the Advisers reasonable request in compliance with the requirements of Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act, although the Sub-Adviser may, at its own expense, make and retain a copy of such records. The Sub-Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 under the 1940 Act the records required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1 under the 1940 Act.
10. Cooperation; Confidentiality . Each party to this Agreement agrees to cooperate with the other party and with all appropriate governmental authorities having the requisite jurisdiction (including, but not limited to, the SEC) in connection with any investigation or inquiry relating to this Agreement, the Fund or the Trust. Subject to the foregoing, the Sub-Adviser shall treat as confidential all information pertaining to the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser and their respective actions, and shall use such information only in connection with the services performed under this Agreement. The Adviser shall treat as confidential all information provided by the Sub-Adviser that is identified by the Sub-Adviser as confidential. Notwithstanding the foregoing, information subject to this Section 10 need not be treated by the receiving party as confidential (i) if the receiving party is required to disclose such information under applicable law, (ii) if such information is generally available to the public through means other than by disclosure by the receiving party, or (iii) if available from a source other than the receiving party provided that such source is not known (or should have been known) to the receiving party to be bound by confidentiality obligations pertaining to such information. The Sub-Adviser acknowledges that the Adviser will have continuous access through the Custodian to any information related to the Funds portfolio.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or to any policies and procedures, the Sub-Adviser may not disclose Fund portfolio holdings information, except in accordance with the Funds Policies and Procedures on Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings (the Disclosure Policy). To the extent the Sub-Adviser has delegated any duties or services to an affiliate or a thirdparty, the Sub-Adviser shall require that any such affiliate or third-party agree in writing to maintain the confidentiality of Fund portfolio holdings information as and to the extent required by the Disclosure Policy. For purposes of the Disclosure Policy, information provided to a broker-dealer relating to orders or potential orders for the purchase or sale of Fund holdings will not be deemed to be portfolio holdings information, provided that the Sub-Adviser determines that the disclosure does not provide the recipient with an advantage over Fund shareholders.
11. Liability .
a . Except as may otherwise be required by the 1940 Act or the rules thereunder or other applicable law, the Adviser agrees that the Sub-Adviser, any affiliated person of the Sub-Adviser, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) controls the Sub-Adviser (each a Sub- Adviser Controlling Person, and collectively, Sub-Adviser Controlling Persons) shall not be liable for, or subject to any losses, claims, damages, expenses, liabilities or litigation in connection with, any act or omission connected with or arising out of any services rendered under this Agreement, except by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence, in each
such case, in the performance of the Sub-Advisers duties, or any material breach by the Sub-Adviser of its obligations or duties under this Agreement (the Sub-Adviser Standard of Care). In no case shall the Sub-Adviser, its affiliated persons or any of the Sub-Adviser Controlling Persons be liable for actions taken or non-actions with respect to the performance of services under this Agreement if the Sub-Adviser is instructed in writing by the Adviser or the Trust to take such action or non-action. The Adviser understands and acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser does not warrant that the portion of the assets of the Fund managed by the Sub-Adviser will achieve any particular rate of return or that its performance will match any benchmark index or other standard or objective. In no case shall the Sub-Adviser, its affiliated persons or any of the Sub-Adviser Controlling Persons be liable for any portion of the assets of the Fund not managed by the Sub-Adviser (if any).
b. The Sub-Adviser agrees that neither the Trust nor the Fund shall bear any responsibility or shall be subject to any liability for any losses, claims, damages, expenses, liabilities or litigation of the Sub-Adviser connected with or arising out of its services under this Agreement.
12. Indemnification .
a. The Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Sub-Adviser, any affiliated person of the Sub-Adviser, and Sub-Adviser Controlling Persons (the Sub-Adviser and all of such persons being referred to as Sub-Adviser Indemnified Persons) against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses, liabilities, or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which a Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person may become subject under the 1933 Act, the 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, under any other statute, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Advisers responsibilities to the Sub-Adviser which (1) may be based upon the Advisers gross negligence, willful misfeasance, or bad faith in the performance of its duties, or any material breach by the Adviser of its obligations or duties under this Agreement, or (2) may be based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or prospectus covering the Trust, or any amendment thereof or any supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading unless such statement or omission was made in reliance on disclosure reviewed by the Sub-Adviser in accordance with Section 7 of this Agreement; provided however, that in no case shall the indemnity in favor of the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person be deemed to protect such person against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or any material breach of its obligations or duties under this Agreement.
b. Notwithstanding Section 11 of this Agreement, the Sub-Adviser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Adviser, any affiliated person of the Adviser, and each person, if any, who, within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act controls the Adviser (the Adviser and all of such persons being referred to as Adviser Indemnified Persons) against any and all losses, claims, damages, expenses, liabilities, or litigation (including reasonable legal and other expenses) to which (1) an Adviser Indemnified Person may become subject under the 1933 Act, 1940 Act, the Advisers Act, under any other statute, at common law or otherwise, arising out of the Sub-Advisers responsibilities as sub-adviser of the Trust which may be based upon the Sub-Advisers breach of the Sub-Adviser Standard of Care; or (2) may be based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or prospectus covering the Trust, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact known or which should have been
known to the Sub-Adviser and was required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, if such a statement was made in reliance upon disclosure reviewed by the Sub-Adviser in accordance with Section 7 of this Agreement or was omitted from a disclosure reviewed by the Sub-Adviser in accordance with such Section 7; provided, however, that in no case shall the indemnity in favor of an Adviser Indemnified Person be deemed to protect such person against any liability to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of its material breach of its obligations or duties under this Agreement.
c. The Adviser shall not be liable under Paragraph (a) of this Section 12 with respect to any claim made against a Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person unless such Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person shall have notified the Adviser in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person (or after such Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Adviser of any such claim shall not relieve the Adviser from any liability which it may have to the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person against whom such action is brought except to the extent the Adviser is prejudiced by the failure or delay in giving such notice. In case any such action is brought against the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person, the Adviser will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof or, after notice to the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person. If the Adviser assumes the defense of any such action and the selection of counsel by the Adviser to represent both the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person would result in a conflict of interests and therefore, would not, in the reasonable judgment of the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person, adequately represent the interests of the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person, the Adviser will, at its own expense, assume the defense with counsel to the Adviser and, also at its own expense, with separate counsel to the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person, which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Adviser and to the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person. The Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Adviser shall not be liable to the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. The Adviser shall not have the right to compromise on or settle the litigation without the prior written consent of the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person if the compromise or settlement results, or may result in a finding of wrongdoing on the part of the Sub-Adviser Indemnified Person.
d. The Sub-Adviser shall not be liable under Paragraph (b) of this Section 12 with respect to any claim made against an Adviser Indemnified Person unless such Adviser Indemnified Person shall have notified the Sub-Adviser in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Adviser Indemnified Person (or after such Adviser Indemnified Person shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Sub-Adviser of any such claim shall not relieve the Sub-Adviser from any liability which it may have to the Adviser Indemnified Person against whom such action is brought except to the extent the Sub-Adviser is prejudiced by the failure or delay in giving such notice. In case any such action is brought against the Adviser Indemnified Person, the Sub-Adviser will be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense thereof or, after notice to the Adviser Indemnified Person, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Adviser Indemnified Person. If the Sub-Adviser assumes the defense of any such action and the selection of counsel by the Sub-Adviser to represent both the Sub-Adviser and the Adviser
Indemnified Person would result in a conflict of interests and therefore, would not, in the reasonable judgment of the Adviser Indemnified Person, adequately represent the interests of the Adviser Indemnified Person, the Sub-Adviser will, at its own expense, assume the defense with counsel to the Sub-Adviser and, also at its own expense, with separate counsel to the Adviser Indemnified Person, which counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Sub-Adviser and to the Adviser Indemnified Person. The Adviser Indemnified Person shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by it, and the Sub-Adviser shall not be liable to the Adviser Indemnified Person under this Agreement for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Adviser Indemnified Person independently in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. The Sub-Adviser shall not have the right to compromise on or settle the litigation without the prior written consent of the Adviser Indemnified Person if the compromise or settlement results, or may result in a finding of wrongdoing on the part of the Adviser Indemnified Person.
13. Duration and Termination . |
a. This Agreement shall become effective subject to the condition that the Board, including a majority of those Trustees who are not interested persons (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Adviser or the Sub-Adviser, shall have approved this Agreement in the manner required by the 1940 Act. Unless terminated as provided herein, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect through and including the second anniversary of the execution of this Agreement and shall continue in full force and affect indefinitely thereafter, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (a) the Board, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust, and (b) the vote of a majority of those Trustees who are not interested persons (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
b. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement may be terminated: (a) by the Adviser at any time without payment of any penalty, upon 60 days prior written notice to the Sub-Adviser and the Trust; (b) at any time without payment of any penalty by the Trust, by the Board or a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, upon 60 days prior written notice to the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, (c) at any time without payment of any penalty by the Sub-Adviser upon 60 days prior written notice by the Sub-Adviser to the Adviser and the Trust, (d) by the Sub-Adviser upon not less than 20 business days prior written notice to the Adviser if the Sub-Adviser is unable to implement any action by the Board that impacts the Sub-Advisers ability to provide the services under this Agreement as described in Section 1 hereof, provided such notice is given to the Adviser within 5 business days of the Sub-Advisers receipt of notice of the Board taking such action; (e) immediately in the event the Sub-Adviser or the Adviser ceases to be registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act or otherwise becomes legally incapable of providing investment management services pursuant to its respective contract with the Trust, or (f) in the event the Advisory Agreement is terminated.
c. In the event of termination for any reason, all records of the Trust shall promptly be returned to the Adviser or the Trust, free from any claim or retention of rights in such record by the Sub-Adviser, although the Sub-Adviser may, at its own expense, make and retain a copy of such records. This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of its assignment (within the meaning of such term in the 1940 Act). In the event this Agreement is terminated or is not approved in the manner described above, the Sections or Paragraphs numbered 9, 10, 11, and 12 of this Agreement shall remain in effect, as well as any applicable provision of this Section 13 and, to the extent that only amounts are owed to the Sub-Adviser or owed to the Adviser for subsidy reimbursement as compensation for services rendered while the agreement was in effect as provided in Section 6.
14. Exclusivity. The Sub-Adviser agrees that, for so long as it serves as the investment adviser or sub-adviser to the Fund or any successor entity, it will not accept an offer to serve as investment adviser or sub-adviser to any Competing Product (as defined below) without the prior written approval of the Adviser. The Adviser shall respond to a written request of the Sub-Adviser to advise or sub-advise a Competing Product within 30 days of receiving such request. A "Competing Product" means another unlisted, long-only (or substantially long-only), open-end, SEC-registered investment company or an actively-managed exchange-traded-fund (ETF, but excluding an ETF-of-ETFs), in each case utilizing a macroeconomic investment strategy and distributed in the United States. If and to the extent the restriction herein set forth is unenforceable, then such restriction shall (without any further action by the Adviser or Sub-Adviser) be deemed to have been replaced with an enforceable restriction reflecting as closely as possible the parties intent as expressed herein.
15. Notices . Any notice must be in writing and shall be sufficiently given (1) when delivered in person, (2) when dispatched by electronic mail or electronic facsimile transfer (confirmed in writing by postage prepaid first class air mail simultaneously dispatched), (3) when sent by internationally recognized overnight courier service (with receipt confirmed by such overnight courier service), or (4) when sent by registered or certified mail, to the other party at the address of such party set forth below or at such other address as such party may from time to time specify in writing to the other party.
If to the Trust:
Eaton Vance Growth Trust Two International Place Boston, MA 02110 Attn: Chief Legal Officer If to the Adviser: Eaton Vance Management Two International Place Boston, MA 02110 Attn: Chief Legal Officer If to the Sub-Adviser: Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC 520 Madison Avenue 28 th Floor New York, NY 10022 Attn: David Bloom, Chief Operating Officer And copy to: Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP 919 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 Attn: Udi Grofman |
16. Amendments . No provision of this Agreement may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated orally, but only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought, and no material amendment of this Agreement shall be effective until approved as required by applicable law. The Sub-Adviser shall furnish to the Board such information as may be reasonably necessary in order for the Board to evaluate this Agreement or any proposed amendments thereto for the purposes of casting a vote pursuant to Section 13 or this Section 16.
17. Governing Law . Notwithstanding the place where this Agreement may be executed by either party, the parties expressly agree that all terms and provisions hereof shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts applicable to contracts made between residents of Massachusetts, entered into and wholly performed, and to transactions wholly consummated, within Massachusetts. In the event of an action brought by the Adviser against the Sub-Adviser, the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and any New York State court sitting in New York City (Borough of Manhattan) for purposes of any legal or equitable actions or proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the matters contemplated hereby. In the event of an action brought by the Sub-Adviser against the Adviser, the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts and any Massachusetts court sitting in the city of Boston for purposes of any legal or equitable actions or proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the matters contemplated hereby. The parties hereby irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection that they may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue in any such action or proceeding brought in such a court, and any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
18 . Miscellaneous.
a. The Sub-Adviser hereby grants to the Adviser during the term of this Agreement, a non-exclusive, non-assignable, non-sublicensable royalty-free right to use the Sub-Adviser's name and registered and unregistered trademarks, service marks and logos in the name of the Fund, on the Adviser's website(s) and in other materials solely for purposes of disclosing and promoting the relationship between the parties as described herein. In the event that this Agreement shall be terminated for any reason, and in the event a new or successor Agreement with the Sub-Adviser is not concluded, the Adviser understands that it must immediately take all steps necessary to amend materials (including the Adviser's website) produced by the Adviser or its affiliates to delete any reference in all materials to the Sub-Adviser and to delete the words Richard Bernstein from the name of the Fund, provided that references to the former name of the Fund shall be permitted to the extent necessary.
b. The Adviser and the Sub-Adviser acknowledge that the Trust enjoys the rights of a third-party beneficiary under this Agreement, and the Adviser acknowledges that the Sub-Adviser enjoys the rights of a third party beneficiary under the Advisory Agreement. Nothing herein shall be construed as constituting the Sub-Adviser as an agent or co-partner of the Adviser, or constituting the Adviser as an agent or co-partner of the Sub-Adviser.
c. The Sub-Adviser expressly acknowledges the provision in the Declaration of Trust of the Adviser limiting the personal liability of the Trustee and officers of the Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser hereby agrees that it shall have recourse to the Adviser for payment of claims or obligations as between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser arising out of this Agreement and shall not seek satisfaction from the Trustee or any officer of the Adviser.
d. The captions of this Agreement are included for convenience only and in no way define or limit any of the provisions hereof or otherwise affect their construction or effect.
e. To the extent permitted under Section 13 of this Agreement, this Agreement may only be assigned by any party with the prior written consent of the other party.
f. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and to this extent, the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to be severable.
g. Nothing herein shall be construed as constituting the Sub-Adviser as an agent or co-partner of the Adviser, or constituting the Adviser as an agent or co-partner of the Sub-Adviser.
h. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts.
[Signature page follows.] |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed as of the day and year first above written.
EATON VANCE MANAGEMENT
By: /s/ Maureen A. Gemma Name: Maureen A. Gemma Title: Vice President RICHARD BERNSTEIN ADVISORS LLC By: /s/ David Bloom Name: David Bloom Title: Chief Operating Officer |
EXHIBIT (e)(1) |
EATON VANCE GROWTH TRUST
AMENDED AND RESTATED
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT effective as of August 9, 2010 between EATON VANCE GROWTH TRUST, a Massachusetts business trust having its principal place of business in Boston in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, hereinafter called the Trust, on behalf of each of its series listed on Schedule A or Schedule B (a Fund), and EATON VANCE DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a Massachusetts corporation having its principal place of business in said Boston, hereinafter sometimes called the Principal Underwriter. The Trustees of the Trust have established multiple classes of shares of the Funds, such classes having been designated Class A (or Advisers Class), Class B, Class C, Class R and Class I (the Classes).
IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual promises and undertakings herein contained, the parties hereto agree with respect to each Fund:
1. The Trust grants to the Principal Underwriter the right to purchase all classes of shares of the Fund upon the terms herein below set forth during the term of this Agreement. While this Agreement is in force, the Principal Underwriter agrees to use its best efforts to find purchasers for shares of the Fund.
The Principal Underwriter shall have the right to buy from the Fund the shares needed, but not more than the shares needed (except for clerical errors and errors of transmission) to fill unconditional orders for shares of the Fund placed with the Principal Underwriter by financial intermediaries or investors as set forth in the current Prospectus relating to shares of the Fund. The price which the Principal Underwriter shall pay for Class A shares so purchased shall be the net asset value used in determining the public offering price on which such orders were based; the price for Class B, Class C, Class R and Class I shares so purchased shall be equal to the price paid by investors upon purchasing such shares. The Principal Underwriter shall notify the Fund custodian and transfer agent at the end of each business day or as soon thereafter as the orders placed with it have been compiled, of the number of shares and the prices thereof which the Principal Underwriter is to purchase as principal for resale. The Principal Underwriter shall take down and pay for shares ordered from the Fund on or before the eleventh business day (excluding Saturdays) after the shares have been so ordered.
The right granted to the Principal Underwriter to buy shares from the Fund shall be exclusive, except that said exclusive right shall not apply to shares issued in connection with the merger or consolidation of any other investment company or personal holding company with the Fund or the acquisition by purchase or otherwise of all (or substantially all) the assets or the outstanding shares of any such company, by the Fund; nor shall it apply to shares, if any, issued by the Fund in distribution of income or realized capital gains of the Fund payable in shares or in cash at the option of the shareholder.
2. The shares may be resold by the Principal Underwriter to or through financial intermediaries having agreements with the Principal Underwriter, and to investors, upon the following terms and conditions.
Class A Shares. The public offering price, i.e., the price per Class A share at which the Principal Underwriter or financial intermediary purchasing shares from the Principal Underwriter may sell shares to the public, shall be the public offering price as set forth in the current Prospectus relating to said Class A shares, but not to exceed the net asset value at which the Principal Underwriter is to purchase the Class A shares, plus a sales charge not to exceed 7.25% of the public offering price (the net asset value divided by .9275). If the resulting public offering price does not come out to an even cent, the public offering price shall be adjusted to the nearer cent.
The Principal Underwriter may also sell Class A shares at the net asset value at which the Principal Underwriter is to purchase such Class A shares, provided such sales are not inconsistent with the provisions of Section 22(d) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time (the 1940 Act), and the rules thereunder, including any applicable exemptive orders or administrative interpretations or no-action positions with respect thereto.
Class B, Class C, Class I and Class R Shares. The public offering price, i.e., the price per Class B, Class C, Class I and Class R shares at which the Principal Underwriter or financial intermediary purchasing shares from the Principal Underwriter may sell shares to the public, shall be equal to the net asset value at which the Principal Underwriter is to purchase the Class B, Class C, Class I and Class R shares.
The net asset value of shares of each Class of the Fund shall be determined by the Trust or the Fund custodian, as the agent of the Trust, as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the Exchange) on each business day on which said Exchange is open, or as of such other time on each such business day as may be determined by the Trustees of the Trust, in accordance with the methodology and procedures for calculating such net asset value authorized by the Trustees. The Trust may also cause the net asset value to be determined in substantially the same manner or estimated in such manner and as of such other time or times as may from time to time be agreed upon by the Trust and Principal Underwriter. The Trust will notify the Principal Underwriter each time the net asset value of a Class of shares is determined and when such value is so determined it shall be applicable to transactions as set forth in the current Prospectus(es) and Statement(s) of Additional Information (hereafter the Prospectus) relating to the Fund's shares.
No Class of shares of the Fund shall be sold by the Fund during any period when the determination of that Classs net asset value is suspended pursuant to the Declaration of Trust, except to the Principal Underwriter, in the manner and upon the terms above set forth to cover contracts of sale made by the Principal Underwriter with its customers prior to any such suspension, and except as provided in paragraph 1 hereof. The Trust shall also have the right to suspend the sale of any Class of shares if in the judgment of the Trust conditions obtaining at any time render such action advisable. The Principal Underwriter shall have the right to suspend sales at any time, to refuse to accept or confirm any order from an investor or financial intermediary, or to accept or confirm any such order in part only, if in the judgment of the Principal Underwriter such action is in the best interests of the Fund.
3. The Trust covenants and agrees that it will, from time to time, but subject to the necessary approval of the Funds shareholders, take such steps as may be necessary to register the Funds shares under the federal Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time (the 1933 Act), to the end that there will be available for sale such number of shares as the Principal Underwriter may reasonably be expected to sell. The Trust covenants and agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Principal Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls the Principal
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Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act against any loss, liability, claim, damages or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, claim, damages or expense and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith), arising by reason of any person acquiring any shares of the Fund, which may be based upon the 1933 Act or on any other statute or at common law, on the ground that the Registration Statement or Prospectus, as from time to time amended and supplemented, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, information furnished in writing to the Trust in connection therewith by or on behalf of the Principal Underwriter; provided, however, that in no case (i) is the indemnity of the Trust in favor of the Principal Underwriter and any such controlling person to be deemed to protect such Principal Underwriter or any such controlling person against any liability to the Trust or the Fund or its security holders to which such Principal Underwriter or any such controlling person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) is the Trust or the Fund to be liable under its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph with respect to any claim made against the Principal Underwriter or any such controlling person unless the Principal Underwriter or any such controlling person, as the case may be, shall have notified the Trust in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Principal Underwriter or such controlling person (or after such Principal Underwriter or such controlling person shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Trust of any such claim shall not relieve it from any liability which the Fund may have to the person against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph. The Trust shall be entitled to participate, at the expense of the Fund, in the defense, or, if the Trust so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such liability, but if the Trust elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the Principal Underwriter or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit. In the event the Trust elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retains such counsel, the Principal Underwriter or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them, but, in case the Trust does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, the Fund shall reimburse the Principal Underwriter or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them. The Trust agrees promptly to notify the Principal Underwriter of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it or any of its officers or Trustees in connection with the issuance or sale of any of the Funds shares.
4. The Principal Underwriter covenants and agrees that, in selling the shares of the Fund, it will use its best efforts in all respects duly to conform with the requirements of all state and federal laws relating to the sale of such shares, and will indemnify and hold harmless the Trust and each of its Trustees and officers and each person, if any, who controls the Trust within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act, against any loss, liability, damages, claim or expense (including the reasonable cost of investigating or defending any alleged loss, liability, damages, claim or expense and reasonable counsel fees incurred in connection therewith), arising by reason of any person acquiring any shares of the Fund, which may be based upon the 1933 Act or any other statute or at common law, on account of any wrongful act of the Principal Underwriter or any of its employees (including any failure to conform with any requirement of any state or federal law relating to the sale of such shares) or on the ground that the Registration Statement or Prospectus, as from time to time amended and supplemented, includes an untrue statement of a
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material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, insofar as any such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Trust in connection therewith by or on behalf of the Principal Underwriter, provided, however, that in no case (i) is the indemnity of the Principal Underwriter in favor of any person indemnified to be deemed to protect the Fund or any such person against any liability to which the Fund or any such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, or gross negligence in the performance of its or his duties or by reason of its or his reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under this Agreement, or (ii) is the Principal Underwriter to be liable under its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph with respect to any claim made against the Fund or any person indemnified unless the Trust or such person, as the case may be, shall have notified the Principal Underwriter in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Trust, the Fund or upon such person (or after the Trust, the Fund or such person shall have received notice of such service on any designated agent), but failure to notify the Principal Underwriter of any such claim shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to the Fund or any person against whom such action is brought otherwise than on account of its indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph. The Principal Underwriter shall be entitled to participate, at its own expense, in the defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such liability, but if the Principal Underwriter elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it and satisfactory to the Trust, or to its officers or Trustees, or to any controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit. In the event that the Principal Underwriter elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retains such counsel, the Fund or such officers or Trustees or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, shall bear the fees and expenses of any additional counsel retained by them or the Trust, but, in case the Principal Underwriter does not elect to assume the defense of any such suit, it shall reimburse the Fund, any such officers and Trustees or controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in such suit, for the reasonable fees and expenses of any counsel retained by them or the Trust. The Principal Underwriter agrees promptly to notify the Trust of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against it in connection with the issue and sale of any of the Funds shares.
Neither the Principal Underwriter nor any financial intermediary nor any other person is authorized by the Trust to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in the Registration Statement or Prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the 1933 Act, (as said Registration Statement and Prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time), covering the shares of the Fund. Neither the Principal Underwriter nor any financial intermediary nor any other person is authorized to act as agent for the Trust or the Fund in connection with the offering or sale of shares of the Fund to the public or otherwise. All such sales made by the Principal Underwriter shall be made by it as principal, for its own account. The Principal Underwriter may, however, act as agent in connection with the repurchase of shares as provided in paragraph 6 below, or in connection with exchanges between investment companies for which the Principal Underwriter (or an affiliate thereof) acts as principal underwriter or investment adviser.
5(a). The Fund will pay, or cause to be paid (by one or more classes) -
(i) all the costs and expenses of the Fund, including fees and disbursements of its counsel, in connection with the preparation and filing of any required Registration Statement and/or Prospectus under the 1933 Act, or the 1940 Act, covering its shares and all amendments
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and supplements thereto, and preparing and mailing periodic reports to shareholders (including the expense of setting up in type any such Registration Statement, Prospectus or periodic report);
(ii) the cost of preparing temporary and permanent share certificates (if any) for shares of the Fund;
(iii) the cost and expenses of delivering to the Principal Underwriter at its office in Boston, Massachusetts, all shares of the Fund purchased by it as principal hereunder; and
(iv) all the federal and state (if any) issue and/or transfer taxes payable upon the issue by or (in the case of treasury shares) transfer from the Fund to the Principal Underwriter of any and all shares of the Fund purchased by the Principal Underwriter hereunder.
(v) the fees, costs and expenses of the registration or qualification of shares for sale in the various states, territories or other jurisdictions (including without limitation the registering or qualifying the Fund as a broker or dealer or any officer of the Fund as agent or salesman in any state, territory or other jurisdiction); and
(vi) all payments to be made pursuant to any written plan approved in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act or any written service plan.
(b) The Principal Underwriter agrees that, after the Prospectus (other than to existing shareholders of the Fund) and periodic reports have been set up in type, it will bear the expense of printing and distributing any copies thereof which are to be used in connection with the offering of shares of the Fund to financial intermediaries or investors. The Principal Underwriter further agrees that it will bear the expenses of preparing, printing and distributing any other literature used by the Principal Underwriter or furnished by it for use by financial intermediaries in connection with the offering of the shares of the Fund for sale to the public and any expenses of advertising in connection with such offering.
(c) In addition, the Trust agrees, to the extent provided by the Funds Distribution Plans (the Plans) adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to Class B and Class C shares, to make certain payments as follows. The Principal Underwriter shall be entitled to be paid by the Fund a sales commission equal to 6.25% of the price received by the Fund for each sale of Class B and Class C shares (excluding in each case the reinvestment of dividends and distributions) unless otherwise noted on Schedule A hereto, such payment to be made out of Class B or Class C assets as applicable and in the manner set forth in this paragraph 5. The Principal Underwriter shall also be entitled to be paid by the Fund a separate distribution fee (calculated in accordance with paragraph 5(d)) out of the relevant Class assets, such payment to be made in the manner set forth and subject to the terms of this paragraph 5.
(d) The sales commissions and distribution fees referred to in paragraph 5(c) or distribution fees otherwise payable pursuant to a Funds Plan shall be accrued and paid by the Fund in the following manner. Each Class B or Class C shall accrue daily an amount calculated at the rate of 0.75% per annum of its daily net assets (or such other amount as specified in the Plan and listed on Schedule B), which net assets shall be computed as described in paragraph 2. The daily amounts so accrued throughout the month shall be paid to the Principal Underwriter on the last day of each month. The aggregate amounts accrued and paid pursuant to this paragraph (d) during any fiscal year of the Fund shall not exceed 0.75% of the average daily net assets of a Class for such year.
5
To the extent provided by a Funds Plan, the amount of such daily accrual, as so calculated, shall first be applied and charged to all unpaid sales commissions, and the balance, if any, shall then be applied and charged to all unpaid distribution fees. No amount shall be accrued with respect to any day on which there exist no outstanding uncovered distribution charges of the Principal Underwriter due from the relevant Class. The amount of such uncovered distribution charges shall be calculated daily. For purposes of this calculation, distribution charges of the Principal Underwriter shall include (a) the aggregate of all sales commissions which the Principal Underwriter has been paid pursuant to this paragraph (d) (and pursuant to paragraph 5(d) of the Prior Agreements) plus all sales commissions which it is entitled to be paid pursuant to paragraph 5(c) (and pursuant to paragraph 5(c) of the Prior Agreements) since inception of the Prior Agreements through and including the day next preceding the date of calculation, and (b) an amount equal to the aggregate of all distribution fees referred to below which the Principal Underwriter has been paid pursuant to this paragraph (d) (and pursuant to paragraph 5(d) of the Prior Agreements) plus all such fees which it is entitled to be paid pursuant to paragraph 5(c) (and pursuant to paragraph 5(c) of the Prior Agreements) since inception of the Prior Agreements through and including the day next preceding the date of calculation. From this sum (distribution charges) there shall be subtracted (i) the aggregate amount paid or payable to the Principal Underwriter pursuant to this paragraph (d) (and pursuant to paragraph (d) of the Prior Agreements) since inception of the Prior Agreements through and including the day next preceding the date of calculation, and (ii) the aggregate amount of all contingent deferred sales charges paid or payable to the Principal Underwriter since inception of the Prior Agreements through and including the day next preceding the date of calculation. In addition, the calculation shall include amounts under the Prior Agreements when a predecessor principal underwriter existed. If the result of such subtraction is a positive amount, a distribution fee [computed at the rate of 1% per annum above the prime rate (being the base rate on corporate loans posted by at least 75% of the nation's 30 largest banks) then being reported in the Eastern Edition of The Wall Street Journal or if such prime rate is not so reported such other rate as may be designated from time to time by vote or other action of a majority of (i) those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or any agreements related to it (the Rule 12b-1 Trustees) and (ii) all of the Trustees then in office] shall be computed on such amount and added to such amount, with the resulting sum constituting the amount of outstanding uncovered distribution charges of the Principal Underwriter due from a Class with respect to such day for all purposes of this Agreement. If the result of such subtraction is a negative amount, there shall exist no outstanding uncovered distribution charges of the Principal Underwriter due from that Class with respect to such day and no amount shall be accrued or paid to the Principal Underwriter with respect to such day. The term Principal Underwriter as used in this paragraph (d) shall include the current Principal Underwriters predecessor, a Massachusetts corporation called Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. that served as principal underwriter for the Trust prior to November 1, 1996.
(e) The Principal Underwriter shall be entitled to receive all contingent deferred sales charges paid or payable due from a Class (i) provided that no such sales charge which would cause the Fund to exceed the maximum applicable cap imposed thereon by paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. shall be imposed and (ii) to the extent provided by a Funds Plan, the Principal Underwriter shall not be entitled to receive contingent deferred sales charges on any day when there is no uncovered distribution charges outstanding. On any such day, such contingent deferred sales charges shall be paid to the Fund and allocated to the appropriate Class.
6
(f) In accordance with a Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to Class R shares (the Class R Plan), a Fund may make payments from Class R assets of distribution fees to the Principal Underwriter, financial intermediaries and other persons. The aggregate of such payments during any fiscal year of the Fund shall not exceed 0.50% of Class Rs average daily net assets for such year.
(g) In accordance with a Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act with respect to Class A shares (Class A Plan), a Fund may make payments from Class A assets of distribution fees or distribution and service fees to the Principal Underwriter, financial intermediaries and other persons. The aggregate of such payments during any fiscal year of the Fund shall not exceed 0.25% of Class A average daily net assets for such year (unless otherwise specified on Schedule B).
(h) The Principal Underwriter shall be entitled to receive all contingent deferred sales charges imposed in accordance with the Prospectus on early redemption of Class A shares.
(i) The persons authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Fund pursuant to the Plans, the Class R Plan, the Class A Plan or this Agreement shall be the President or any Vice President or the Treasurer of the Trust. Such persons shall provide to the Trust's Trustees and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
(j) In addition to the payments to the Principal Underwriter provided for in paragraph 5(d) and (f), the Fund may make payments from the assets of Class B, C, and R of service fees to the Principal Underwriter, financial intermediaries and other persons. The aggregate of such payments during any fiscal year of the Fund shall not exceed 0.25% of a Class average daily net assets for such year.
6. The Trust hereby authorizes the Principal Underwriter to repurchase, upon the terms and conditions set forth in written instructions given by the Trust to the Principal Underwriter from time to time, as agent of the Trust and for its account, such shares of the Fund as may be offered for sale to the Fund from time to time.
(a) The Principal Underwriter shall notify in writing the Fund custodian and transfer agent at the end of each business day, or as soon thereafter as the repurchases in each pricing period have been compiled, of the number of shares of each Class repurchased for the account of the Fund since the last previous report, together with the prices at which such repurchases were made, and upon the request of any officer or Trustee of the Trust shall furnish similar information with respect to all repurchases made up to the time of the request on any day.
(b) The Trust reserves the right to suspend or revoke the foregoing authorization at any time; unless otherwise stated, any such suspension or revocation shall be effective forthwith upon receipt of notice thereof by an officer of the Principal Underwriter, by electronic or by written communication from an officer of the Trust duly authorized by its Trustees. In the event that the authorization of the Principal Underwriter is, by the terms of such notice, suspended for more than twenty-four hours or until further notice, the authorization given by this paragraph 6 shall not be revived except by action of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust.
(c) The Principal Underwriter shall have the right to terminate the operation of this paragraph 6 upon giving to the Trust thirty (30) days' written notice thereof.
7
(d) The Trust agrees to authorize and direct the Fund custodian to pay, for the account of the Fund, the purchase price of any shares so repurchased against delivery of the certificates in proper form for transfer to the Trust or for cancellation by the Trust.
(e) The Principal Underwriter shall receive no commission in respect of any repurchase of shares under the foregoing authorization and appointment as agent, except for any sales commission, distribution fee or contingent deferred sales charges payable under paragraph 5.
(f) The Trust agrees that the Fund will reimburse the Principal Underwriter, from time to time on demand, for any reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the repurchase of shares of the Fund pursuant to this paragraph 6.
7. If, at any time during the existence of this Agreement, the Trust shall deem it necessary or advisable in the best interests of the Fund that any amendment of this Agreement be made in order to comply with the recommendations or requirements of the Commission or other governmental authority or to obtain any advantage under Massachusetts or federal tax laws, and shall notify the Principal Underwriter of the form of amendment which it deems necessary or advisable and the reasons therefor, and, if the Principal Underwriter declines to assent to such amendment, the Trust may terminate this Agreement forthwith by written notice to the Principal Underwriter. If, at any time during the existence of its agreement upon request by the Principal Underwriter, the Trust fails (after a reasonable time) to make any changes in its Declaration of Trust, as amended, or in its methods of doing business which are necessary in order to comply with any requirement of federal law or regulations of the Commission or of a national securities association of which the Principal Underwriter is or may be a member, relating to the sale of the shares of the Fund, the Principal Underwriter may terminate this Agreement forthwith by written notice to the Trust.
8(a). The Principal Underwriter is a corporation in the United States organized under the laws of Massachusetts and holding membership in the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a securities association registered under Section 15A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and during the life of this Agreement will continue to be so resident in the United States, so organized and a member in good standing of said Association. The Principal Underwriter covenants that it and its officers and directors will comply with the Trust's Declaration of Trust and By-Laws, and the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, insofar as they are applicable to the Principal Underwriter.
(b) The Principal Underwriter shall maintain in the United States and preserve therein for such period or periods as the Commission shall prescribe by rules and regulations applicable to it as Principal Underwriter of an open-end investment company registered under the 1940 Act such accounts, books and other documents as are necessary or appropriate to record its transactions with the Fund. Such accounts, books and other documents shall be subject at any time and from time to time to such reasonable periodic, special and other examinations by the Commission or any member or representative thereof as the Commission may prescribe. The Principal Underwriter shall furnish to the Commission within such reasonable time as the Commission may prescribe copies of or extracts from such records which may be prepared without effort, expense or delay as the Commission may by order require.
9. This Agreement shall continue in force indefinitely until terminated as in this Agreement above provided, except that:
8
(a) this Agreement shall remain in effect through and including the second anniversary of the initial execution of this Agreement (or, if applicable, the second anniversary of the execution of this Agreement which follows the day on which a Fund has become a Fund hereunder by amendment to Schedule A or Schedule B), and shall continue in full force and effect indefinitely thereafter, but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by the vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) by the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund;
(b) this Agreement may be terminated with respect to a Class with a 12b-1 plan at any time by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Class on not more than sixty (60) days' notice to the Principal Underwriter. The Principal Underwriter shall be entitled to receive all contingent deferred sales charges paid or payable from such class with respect to any day subsequent to such termination;
(c) either party shall have the right to terminate this Agreement with respect to any Class on six (6) months' written notice thereof given in writing to the other;
(d) the Trust shall have the right to terminate this Agreement forthwith in the event that it shall have been established by a court of competent jurisdiction that the Principal Underwriter or any director or officer of the Principal Underwriter has taken any action which results in a breach of the covenants set out in paragraph 9 hereof;
(e) if this Agreement is terminated with respect of any Class or Fund, it shall not terminate the Agreement with respect to any other Class or Fund; and
(f) additional series of the Trust will become Funds hereunder upon approval by the Trustees of the Trust and amendment of Schedule A or Schedule B.
10. In the event of the assignment of this Agreement by the Principal Underwriter, this Agreement shall automatically terminate.
11. Any notice under this Agreement shall be in writing, addressed and delivered, or mailed postage paid, to the other party, at such address as such other party may designate for the receipt of such notices. Until further notice to the other party, it is agreed that the record address of the Trust and that of the Principal Underwriter, shall be Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110.
12. The services of the Principal Underwriter to the Trust hereunder are not to be deemed to be exclusive, the Principal Underwriter being free to (a) render similar service to, and to act as principal underwriter in connection with the distribution of shares of, other series of the Trust or other investment companies, and (b) engage in other business and activities from time to time.
13. The terms vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, assignment and interested persons, when used herein, shall have the respective meanings specified in the 1940 Act, subject, however, to such exemptions as may be granted by the Commission by any rule, regulation or order.
14. The Principal Underwriter expressly acknowledges the provision in the Trusts Declaration of Trust limiting the personal liability of the shareholders of the Trust and the Trustees
9
of the Trust. The Principal Underwriter hereby agrees that it shall have recourse only to the assets of the relevant Fund or Class thereof for payment of claims or obligations as between the Trust and the Principal Underwriter arising out of this Agreement and shall not seek satisfaction from any shareholders or from the Trustees. No Fund or Class shall not be responsible for obligations of any other fund or class of the Trust.
15. On June 23, 1997, the Trust adopted a Plan of reorganization and a Multiple Class Plan on behalf of its series and in connection therewith the Trustees of the Trust amended the Declaration of Trust to terminate or rename certain series and to establish four classes of shares within each renamed series. Pursuant to such reorganization the assets of each Marathon series will be converted to Class B assets of the renamed series, the shares of each Marathon series will be converted to Class B shares of the renamed series, the assets of each Classic series will be converted to Class C assets of that renamed series, and the shares of each Classic series will be converted to Class C shares of that renamed series. All references in this Agreement to the Prior Agreements shall mean (i) with respect to the Class B assets or shares of a particular Fund, all prior distribution agreements of the Trust applicable to the converted assets and shares of the relevant Marathon series, (ii) with respect to the Class C assets or shares of a particular Fund, all prior distribution agreements of the Trust applicable to the converted assets and shares of the relevant Classic series and (iii) with respect to all shares of a Fund other than Class D shares, the Distribution Agreement dated June 23, 1997, as amended by changes to Schedule A. All references in this Agreement to the Prior Agreements shall not be applicable to any additional series of the Trust which becomes a Fund hereunder by amendment of Schedule A subsequent to March 1, 2001.
16. This Agreement shall be effective with respect to a specific Class of shares for a particular Fund on the date that Fund begins offering shares of that Class. As of such effective date, this Agreement shall be deemed to amend, replace and be substituted for the Prior Agreements previously applicable to the relevant Class assets of that Fund. The outstanding uncovered distribution charges of the Principal Underwriter with respect to a specific Class calculated under the Prior Agreements as of the close of business on the date a Fund begins offering shares of that Class shall be the outstanding uncovered distribution charges of the Principal Underwriter with respect to such Class calculated under this Agreement as of the opening of business on the date such shares are offered.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have entered into this Agreement on the 9 th day August, 2010.
EATON VANCE GROWTH TRUST
By /s/ Thomas E. Faust Jr. President EATONVANCEDISTRIBUTORS,INC. By /s/ Frederick S. Marius Vice President |
10
SCHEDULE A |
EATON VANCE GROWTH TRUST
DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT |
I. Funds sold prior to June 23, 1997 Agreement |
Sales | |||
Commissions | |||
on | Prior Agreements | ||
Class B | Relating to Class B | ||
Name of Fund Adopting this Agreement | Shares | and/or Class C Assets | |
Eaton Vance Asian Small Companies Fund | 5% | Class B: | March 1, 1996 / November 1, 1996 |
Eaton Vance Greater China Growth Fund | 5% | Class B: | June 7, 1993 / November 1, 1996 |
Class C: | December 17, 1993 / January 27, 1995 / November 1, 1996 | ||
Eaton Vance Growth Fund | 5% | Class B: | August 1, 1994 / November 1, 1996 |
Class C: | August 1, 1994 / January 27, 1995 / November 1, 1996 | ||
Eaton Vance Information Age Fund | 5% | Class B: | August 23, 1995 / November 1, 1996 |
Class C: | November 10, 1995 / November 1, 1996 | ||
Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund | 5% | Class B: | July 17, 1996 / November 1, 1996 |
Note: All Funds adopted a Distribution Agreement dated November 1, 1996
II. Funds sold since to June 23, 1997 Agreement |
Sales Commissions | ||
Name of Fund Adopting this Agreement (effective date) | On Class B Shares | On Class D Shares |
Eaton Vance Large-Cap Growth Fund (December 10, 2001) | N/A | N/A |
Eaton Vance Small-Cap Core Fund (December 10, 2001) | N/A | N/A |
*Atlanta Capital Large-Cap Growth Fund (December 10, 2001) | N/A | N/A |
*Atlanta Capital Small-Cap Core Fund (December 10, 2001) | N/A | N/A |
*Atlanta Capital Intermediate Bond Fund (December 10, 2001) | N/A | N/A |
Eaton Vance Information Age Fund | 5% | 5% |
Eaton Vance Worldwide Health Sciences Fund | 5% | 5% |
*Note: These Funds are offered in a manner similar to Class I Shares
SCHEDULE B
Distribution Fee | |
Name of Fund | Payable |
|
|
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund Class C Shares | 1.00% |
EXHIBIT (h)(5)(b) |
Schedule A
As of October 12, 2010 |
Contractual | Effective | Termination | |
Trust, Series and Class | Expense Cap | Date | Date |
|
|||
Eaton Vance Growth Trust | |||
Asian Small Companies Fund Class A | 0.15% reduction | 5/14/2010 | 12/31/2011 |
on Total Net | |||
Assets | |||
Asian Small Companies Fund Class B | 0.15% reduction | 5/14/2010 | 12/31/2011 |
on Total Net | |||
Assets | |||
Greater China Growth Fund Class A | 0.10% reduction | 5/14/2010 | 12/31/2011 |
on Total Net | |||
Assets | |||
Greater China Growth Fund Class B | 0.10% reduction | 5/14/2010 | 12/31/2011 |
on Total Net | |||
Assets | |||
Greater China Growth Fund Class C | 0.10% reduction | 5/14/2010 | 12/31/2011 |
on Total Net | |||
Assets | |||
Global Growth Fund Class A | 2.00% | 4/22/2008 | 12/31/2010 |
Global Growth Fund Class B | 2.50% | 4/22/2008 | 12/31/2010 |
Global Growth Fund Class C | 2.50% | 4/22/2008 | 12/31/2010 |
Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund Class A | 1.20% | 2/1/2009 | 1/31/2011 |
Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund Class I | 0.95% | 2/1/2009 | 1/31/2011 |
Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund Class R | 1.45% | 7/31/2009 | 1/31/2011 |
Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund Class C | 1.95% | 9/30/2009 | 1/31/2011 |
Atlanta Capital Focused Growth Fund Class A | 1.25% | 2/1/2009 | 1/31/2011 |
Atlanta Capital Focused Growth Fund Class I | 1.00% | 2/1/2009 | 1/31/2011 |
Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund Class A | 1.50% | 10/12/2010 | 12/31/2011 |
Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund Class C | 2.25% | 10/12/2010 | 12/31/2011 |
Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund Class I | 1.25% | 10/12/2010 | 12/31/2011 |
Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II | |||
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Short Term Fund Class A | 0.90% | 2/3/2009 | 5/31/2011 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Short Term Fund Class C | 1.65% | 2/3/2009 | 5/31/2011 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Short Term Fund Class I | 0.65% | 2/3/2009 | 5/31/2011 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Intermediate Term Fund Class A | 0.95% | 2/1/2010 | 5/31/2013 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Intermediate Term Fund Class C | 1.70% | 2/1/2010 | 5/31/2013 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Intermediate Term Fund Class I | 0.70% | 2/1/2010 | 5/31/2013 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Long Term Fund Class A | 0.95% | 2/1/2010 | 5/31/2013 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Long Term Fund Class C | 1.70% | 2/1/2010 | 5/31/2013 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Long Term Fund Class I | 0.70% | 2/1/2010 | 5/31/2013 |
Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust | |||
Emerging Markets Local Income Fund Class A | 1.25% | 3/1/2009 | 2/28/2012 |
Emerging Markets Local Income Fund Class C | 1.95% | 8/1/2010 | 2/28/2012 |
Emerging Markets Local Income Fund Class I | 0.95% | 11/30/2009 | 2/28/2012 |
International Equity Fund Class A | 1.50% | 3/1/2009 | 2/28/2011 |
International Equity Fund Class C | 2.25% | 3/1/2009 | 2/28/2011 |
International Equity Fund Class I | 1.25% | 3/1/2009 | 2/28/2011 |
International Income Fund Class A | 1.10% | 3/1/2008 | 2/28/2011 |
Contractual | Effective | Termination | |
Trust, Series and Class | Expense Cap | Date | Date |
|
|||
Mutual Funds Trust (contd) | |||
Structured Emerging Markets Fund Class A | 1.60% | 3/1/2009 | 2/28/2011 |
Structured Emerging Markets Fund Class C | 2.35% | 3/1/2009 | 2/28/2011 |
Structured Emerging Markets Fund Class I | 1.35% | 3/1/2009 | 2/28/2011 |
Global Macro Absolute Return Fund Class A | 1.20% | 3/1/2009 | 4/7/2011 |
Global Macro Absolute Return Fund Class I | 0.90% | 3/1/2009 | 4/7/2011 |
Global Macro Absolute Return Fund Class C | 1.90% | 9/30/2009 | 4/7/2011 |
Global Macro Absolute Return Fund Class R | 1.40% | 3/31/2010 | 4/7/2011 |
Large-Cap Core Research Fund Class A | 1.25% | 6/17/2008 | 4/30/2011 |
Large-Cap Core Research Fund Class I | 1.00% | 6/17/2008 | 4/30/2011 |
Large-Cap Core Research Fund Class C | 2.00% | 9/30/2009 | 4/30/2011 |
Low Duration Fund Class A | 1.00% | 3/1/2007 | 2/28/2011 |
Low Duration Fund Class B | 1.75% | 3/1/2007 | 2/28/2011 |
Low Duration Fund Class C | 1.60% | 3/1/2007 | 2/28/2011 |
Low Duration Fund Class I | 0.75% | 5/4/2009 | 2/28/2011 |
Tax-Managed Mid-Cap Core Fund Class A | 1.60% | 4/23/2007 | 2/28/2011 |
Tax-Managed Mid-Cap Core Fund Class B | 2.35% | 4/23/2007 | 2/28/2011 |
Tax-Managed Mid-Cap Core Fund Class C | 2.35% | 4/23/2007 | 2/28/2011 |
Tax-Managed Small-Cap Value Fund Class A | 1.65% | 4/23/2007 | 2/28/2011 |
Tax-Managed Small-Cap Value Fund Class B | 2.40% | 4/23/2007 | 2/28/2011 |
Tax-Managed Small-Cap Value Fund Class C | 2.40% | 4/23/2007 | 2/28/2011 |
Tax-Managed Small-Cap Value Fund Class I | 1.40% | 9/30/2009 | 2/28/2011 |
Structured International Equity Fund Class A | 1.50% | 3/31/2010 | 5/31/2011 |
Structured International Equity Fund Class C | 2.25% | 3/31/2010 | 5/31/2011 |
Structured International Equity Fund Class I | 1.25% | 3/31/2010 | 5/31/2011 |
Build America Bond Fund Class A | 0.95% | 11/17/2009 | 2/28/2013 |
Build America Bond Fund Class C | 1.70% | 11/17/2009 | 2/28/2013 |
Build America Bond Fund Class I | 0.70% | 11/17/2009 | 2/28/2013 |
Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund Class A | 1.55% | 8/25/2010 | 2/28/2013 |
Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund Class I | 2.25% | 8/25/2010 | 2/28/2013 |
Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund Class C | 1.25% | 8/25/2010 | 2/28/2013 |
Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust | |||
Enhanced Equity Option Income Fund Class A | 1.50% | 2/29/08 | 3/31/2011 |
Enhanced Equity Option Income Fund Class C | 2.25% | 2/29/08 | 3/31/2011 |
Enhanced Equity Option Income Fund Class I | 1.25% | 2/29/08 | 3/31/2011 |
Risk-Managed Equity Option Income Fund Class A | 1.50% | 2/29/08 | 3/31/2011 |
Risk-Managed Equity Option Income Fund Class C | 2.25% | 2/29/08 | 3/31/2011 |
Risk-Managed Equity Option Income Fund Class I | 1.25% | 2/29/08 | 3/31/2011 |
Investment Grade Income Fund Class I | 0.70% | 10/15/2007 | 4/30/2011 |
Investment Grade Income Fund Class A | 0.95% | 1/2/2009 | 4/30/2011 |
Real Estate Fund Class I | 1.15% | 5/1/2007 | 4/30/2011 |
Real Estate Fund Class A | 1.40% | 6/8/2010 | 4/30/2011 |
Equity Asset Allocation Fund Class A | 1.45% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2011 |
Equity Assets Allocation Fund Class C | 2.20% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2011 |
Equity Asset Allocation Fund Class I | 1.20% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2011 |
Contractual | Effective | Termination | |
Trust, Series and Class | Expense Cap | Date | Date |
|
|||
Special Investment Trust (contd) | |||
Large-Cap Growth Fund Class A | 1.25% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2011 |
Large-Cap Growth Fund Class B | 2.00% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2011 |
Large-Cap Growth Fund Class C | 2.00% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2011 |
Large-Cap Growth Fund Class I | 1.00% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2011 |
Large-Cap Growth Fund Class R | 1.50% | 7/31/2009 | 4/30/2011 |
Small-Cap Fund Class A | 1.50% | 8/29/2008 | 4/30/2011 |
Small-Cap Fund Class B | 2.25% | 8/29/2008 | 4/30/2011 |
Small-Cap Fund Class C | 2.25% | 8/29/2008 | 4/30/2011 |
Small-Cap Fund Class I | 1.25% | 8/29/2008 | 4/30/2011 |
Small-Cap Fund Class R | 1.75% | 7/31/2009 | 4/30/2011 |
Small-Cap Value Fund Class A | 1.65% | 4/23/2007 | 4/30/2011 |
Small-Cap Value Fund Class B | 2.40% | 4/23/2007 | 4/30/2011 |
Small-Cap Value Fund Class C | 2.40% | 4/23/2007 | 4/30/2011 |
Small-Cap Value Fund Class I | 1.40% | 9/30/2009 | 4/30/2011 |
Commodity Strategy Fund Class A | 1.50% | 4/7/2010 | 4/30/2011 |
Commodity Strategy Fund Class C | 2.25% | 4/7/2010 | 4/30/2011 |
Commodity Strategy Fund Class I | 1.25% | 4/7/2010 | 4/30/2011 |
Greater India Fund Class A | 0.15% reduction | 5/1/2010 | 4/30/2011 |
on Total Net | |||
Assets | |||
Option Absolute Return Strategy Fund Class A | 1.75% | 9/27/2010 | 11/30/2011 |
Option Absolute Return Strategy Fund Class C | 2.50% | 9/27/2010 | 11/30/2011 |
Option Absolute Return Strategy Fund Class I | 1.50% | 9/27/2010 | 11/30/2011 |
Short Term Real Return Fund Class A | 1.15% | 3/31/2010 | 2/28/2012 |
Short Term Real Return Fund Class C | 1.90% | 3/31/2010 | 2/28/2012 |
Short Term Real Return Fund Class I | 0.90% | 3/31/2010 | 2/28/2012 |
Eaton Vance Variable Trust | |||
VT Large-Cap Value Fund | 1.30% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2011 |
EXHIBIT (i)(2) |
CONSENT OF COUNSEL |
I consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the Registration Statement of Eaton Vance Growth Trust (1933 Act File No. 2-22019) of my opinion dated July 29, 2010, which was filed as Exhibit (i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 110.
/s/ Katy D. Burke
Katy D. Burke, Esq. |
October 11, 2010
Boston, Massachusetts |
EXHIBIT (m)(1)(b) |
SCHEDULE A |
EATON VANCE GROWTH TRUST
CLASS A DISTRIBUTION PLAN August 9, 2010 |
Name of Fund | Adoption Date |
Eaton Vance-Atlanta Capital Focused Growth Fund | October 20, 2003 |
(formerly Eaton Vance-Atlanta Capital Large-Cap Growth Fund) | |
Eaton Vance-Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund | October 20, 2003 |
(formerly Eaton Vance-Atlanta Capital Small-Cap Growth Fund) | |
Eaton Vance Multi-Cap Growth Fund | June 23, 1997 |
(formerly Eaton Vance Growth Fund) | |
Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund | August 9, 2010 |
A-1 |
EXHIBIT (m)(7) |
EATON VANCE GROWTH TRUST
CLASS C DISTRIBUTION PLAN |
WHEREAS, Eaton Vance Growth Trust (the Trust) engages in business as an open-end management investment company with multiple series (each with multiple classes), and is registered as such under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the Act);
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to adopt a Distribution Plan, consistent with the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the Act (the Plan), with respect to the Class C shares of its series listed on Schedule A (each referred to herein as the Fund) pursuant to which such Fund pays distribution fees out of Class C assets as contemplated in Rule 2830 of the Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the Rule);
WHEREAS, the Fund may use the distribution and service fees payable under the Plan to (i) finance activities which are primarily intended to result in the distribution and sales of Class C shares and to make payments in connection with the distribution of such shares and (ii) pay for shareholder servicing and maintenance of shareholder accounts;
WHEREAS, the Trust employs Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. to act as Principal Underwriter (as defined in the Act) of Class C shares of the Fund, and the Principal Underwriter has entered into selling agreements with financial intermediaries to distribute Fund shares; and
WHEREAS, the Trustees of the Trust have determined that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plan will benefit the Trust, the Fund and the holders of Class C shares of the Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Trust hereby adopts the Plan on behalf of Class C shares of the Fund in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the Act and containing the following terms and conditions:
1. The Fund shall pay to the Principal Underwriter a monthly distribution fee in an amount that shall not exceed the percentage stated on Schedule A of the Funds average daily Class C net assets for any fiscal year. Such fee payable is being paid in consideration for the distribution services and facilities to be furnished to the Fund by the Principal Underwriter. The Principal Underwriter may use the payments received pursuant to this Paragraph to compensate financial intermediaries to encourage the distribution of Class C shares as it considers appropriate.
2. Appropriate adjustment of payments made pursuant to Section 1 of this Plan shall be made whenever necessary to ensure that no such payment shall cause Class C to exceed the applicable maximum cap imposed on sales charges by the Rule.
3. In addition to the payments of distribution fees to the Principal Underwriter provided for in Section 1, the Fund shall pay from assets attributable to Class C shares of the Fund a monthly service fee to the Principal Underwriter on the last day of each month. Such service fee shall be in an amount not to exceed on an annual basis to 0.25% of the
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average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares. All service fees are being paid to the Principal Underwriter hereunder in consideration for the personal and/or account maintenance services to be furnished by the Principal Underwriter and for the payment of service fees by the Principal Underwriter to financial intermediaries in connection with the provision of personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts.
4. The Principal Underwriter shall be entitled to receive all contingent deferred sales charges paid or payable with respect Class C shares, provided that no such sales charge which would cause the Class C to exceed the maximum applicable cap imposed thereon by paragraph (2) of subsection (d) of the Rule shall be imposed.
5. This Plan shall not take effect until after it has been approved by both a majority of (i) those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Trust (as defined in the Act) and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of this Plan or any agreements related to it (the Rule 12b-1 Trustees), and (ii) all of the Trustees then in office, cast in person at a meeting (or meetings) called for the purpose of voting on this Plan.
6. Any agreements between the Trust on behalf of the Fund and any person relating to this Plan shall be in writing and shall not take effect until approved in the manner provided for Trustee approval of this Plan in Section 5.
7. This Plan shall continue in effect with respect to each Class C for so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually in the manner provided for Trustee approval of this Plan in Section 5.
8. The persons authorized to direct the disposition of monies paid or payable by the Trust pursuant to this Plan or any related agreement shall be the President or any Vice President or the Treasurer of the Trust. Such persons shall provide to the Trustees of the Trust and the Trustees shall review, at least quarterly, a written report of the amounts so expended and the purposes for which such expenditures were made.
9. This Plan may be terminated with respect to Class C shares of the Fund at any time by vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding Class C voting securities of the Fund.
10. This Plan may not be amended to increase materially the payments to be made by the Class C shares of the Fund as provided in Section 1 unless such amendment, if required by law, is approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Class C outstanding voting securities of the Fund. In addition, all material amendments to this Plan shall be approved in the manner provided for in Section 5. Additional series of the Trust may become subject to this Plan and governed hereby upon approval by the Trustees of the Trust and an amendment to Schedule A.
11. While this Plan is in effect, the selection and nomination of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees shall be committed to the discretion of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees.
12. The Trust shall preserve copies of this Plan and any related agreements made by the Trust and all reports made pursuant to Section 8, for a period of not less than six years from the date of this Plan, the first two years in an easily accessible place.
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13. Consistent with the limitation of shareholder, officer and Trustee liability as set forth in the Trusts Declaration of Trust, any obligations assumed by the Class C shares of the Fund pursuant to this Plan shall be limited in all cases to the assets of such Class C shares and no person shall seek satisfaction thereof from the shareholders of the Fund or officers or Trustees of the Trust or any other class or series of the Trust.
14. When used in this Plan, the term vote of a majority of the outstanding Class C voting securities of the Fund shall mean the vote of the lesser of (a) 67 per centum or more of the Class C shares of the Fund present or represented by proxy at the meeting if the holders of more than 50 per centum of the outstanding Class C shares of the Fund are present or represented by proxy at the meeting, or (b) more than 50 per centum of the outstanding Class C shares of the Fund.
15. If any provision of this Plan shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise, the remainder of this Plan shall not be affected thereby.
Adopted August 9, 2010 |
* * * |
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Schedule A
Adoption | Distribution | |
Fund | Date | Fee |
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Eaton Vance Richard Bernstein Multi-Market Equity Strategy Fund | August 9, 2010 | 0.75% |
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EXHIBIT (p)(7)
Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC
CODE OF ETHICS Adopted August 2010 Updated October 2010 |
You will find definitions of some of the capitalized terms used in this Code of Ethics in Schedule A.
1. | SCOPE OF CODE |
Richard Bernstein Advisors LLC (" RBA ," the " Firm ," " we " or " us ") is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC "). Pursuant to Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the " Advisers Act "), and Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the " 1940 Act "), the Firm has adopted this Code of Ethics (the " Code ") to set forth the standards of conduct expected of the Firm's employees (each, an " Employee ," or " you ," and collectively, " Employees ") and to require compliance with the federal securities laws and the Firm's fiduciary duties. The first part of this Code sets forth the prohibitions and requirements that are applicable to the Firm and all Employees. The second part addresses the personal securities trading of Access Persons (currently defined to include all Employees). The final part sets forth the duties and responsibilities of the Firm's Chief Compliance Officer (the " CCO ") with respect to implementation and enforcement of this Code.
2. STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT FOR THE FIRM AND ALL EMPLOYEES
A. | Compliance with Federal Securities Laws |
The Firm and all Employees shall comply with all applicable provisions of the federal securities laws and the related rules and regulations. In connection with providing investment management services (whether as investment adviser, investment sub-adviser, manager or in such similar capacity) to accounts, including funds registered with the SEC as open-end or closed-end investment companies under the 1940 Act, unregistered funds and separately managed accounts (each, a " Client ," and collectively, " Clients "), the Firm and all Employees are strictly prohibited from engaging in any activity that directly or indirectly:
In addition to the above prohibitions relating to Clients, Rule 206(4)-8 under the Advisers Act prohibits the Firm and Employees from engaging in any fraudulent, deceptive or manipulative act, practice or course of business with respect to the investors in any SEC-registered or unregistered fund.
B. | Status as a Fiduciary |
The Firm shall conduct its business at all times consistent with its status as a fiduciary to Clients. This means that the Firm has duties of care, loyalty, honesty, and good faith in connection with all of its activities for Clients and must act in the best interests of Clients. This includes putting the Clients' interests first at all times.
Accordingly, all Employees must adhere to the following principles: |
3. | SPECIFIC POLICIES APPLICABLE TO ALL EMPLOYEES |
A. | Confidentiality of Information |
The Firm and all Employees have a duty to ensure the confidentiality of Client information, including Client holdings, transactions and securities recommendations. All Employees are also prohibited from disclosing confidential information concerning the Firm, including any trade secrets or other proprietary information. In order to safeguard the confidentiality of Client and Firm information (as well as investor information), Employees must adhere to the following:
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The Firm's restrictions on the use of confidential Client or RBA information continue in effect after termination of an Employee's employment with the Firm, unless specific written permission is obtained from the CCO. Any questions regarding the Firm's policies and procedures on the use of confidential information should be brought to the attention of the CCO.
B. | Prevention of Insider Trading |
Federal and state securities laws prohibit both the Firm and Employees from trading securities including equity and debt securities and derivative instruments for ourselves or for others (including for Clients) based on "inside information." These laws also prohibit the dissemination of inside information to others who may use that knowledge to trade securities (so-called "tipping"). These prohibitions apply to all Employees and extend to activities within and outside of your duties at RBA. If you learn of information that you believe may be considered inside information, contact the CCO.
Consistent with our duty to prevent insider trading and to fulfill our obligation to establish, maintain and enforce written policies and procedures to prevent insider trading, the Firm has adopted Procedures to prevent and detect the misuse of material nonpublic information. It is imperative that you understand and comply with these procedures. You will be required to acknowledge that you have reviewed these procedures, understand them and have not violated them.
Trading securities while in possession of material, nonpublic information, or improperly communicating that information to others, may expose you to severe penalties, including, but not limited to, the possible termination of your employment with the Firm. Criminal sanctions may include a fine or imprisonment. The SEC can recover the profits gained or losses avoided through the violative trading, impose a penalty of up to three times the illicit windfall, and issue an order permanently barring you from the securities industry. Finally, you may be sued by investors seeking to recover damages for insider trading violations.
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The requirements contained in these procedures apply to securities trading and information handling by all Employees (and their spouses, minor children and adult members of their households). The requirements also apply to securities trading and information handling by temporary employees and independent consultants in certain circumstances.
The laws that address insider trading are not always clear and are continuously developing. An individual legitimately may be uncertain about the application of the rules in a particular circumstance. Often, a single question can prevent disciplinary action or complex legal problems. For these reasons, you should notify the CCO immediately if you have any reason to believe that a violation of these procedures has occurred or is about to occur, or if you have any questions regarding the applicability of these procedures.
1. Policy on Insider Trading |
No Employee may trade in securities, either personally or on behalf of any other person or account (including for Clients), while in possession of material, nonpublic information concerning the security or the issuer thereof, nor may any Employee communicate such material, nonpublic information to others in violation of the law.
What is Material Information? |
Information is material where there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider that information important in making his or her investment decisions. Generally, this includes any information the disclosure of which may have a substantial effect on the price of a company's securities. No simple test exists to determine when information is material; assessments of materiality involve a highly fact-specific inquiry. For this reason, you should direct any questions about whether information is material to the CCO.
Material information often relates to a company's financial results and operations, including, for example, dividend changes, earnings results, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, liquidity problems and extraordinary management developments.
Material information also may relate to the market for a company's securities. Information about a significant order to purchase or sell securities or the portfolio holdings of any fund may, in some contexts, be material. Pre-publication information regarding reports to be published in the financial press also may be material.
What is Nonpublic Information? |
Information is "public" when it has been disseminated broadly to investors in the marketplace. For example, information is public after it has become available to the general public through a public filing with the SEC or some other government agency, a news reporting service or publication of general circulation, and after sufficient time has passed so that the information has been disseminated widely.
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Identifying Inside Information |
Before executing any trade for yourself or others, including any Clients, you must determine whether you possess material, nonpublic information. If you think that you might possess material, nonpublic information, you should take the following steps:
2. | Contacts with Public Companies |
RBA will not be a stock picker and hence will not be contacting issuers on a regular basis. In certain instances, however, contacts with public companies could represent an important part of our research efforts. For instance, where the Firm is long a large position and may look to unwind or add to it, certain Employees may contact the issuer to discuss earnings, research, or other issues. If this information then is communicated to other Employees prior to it becoming public information, it is possible that transactions for Clients could be executed based, in part, on this information. To protect yourself, the Firm and Clients, you should contact the CCO immediately if you believe that you may have received material, nonpublic information.
3. | Tender Offers |
Tender offers represent a particular concern under the laws governing insider trading for two reasons: First, tender offer activity often produces extraordinary gyrations in the price of the target company's securities. Trading during this time period is more likely to attract regulatory attention (and produces a disproportionate percentage of insider trading cases). Second, the SEC has adopted a rule which expressly forbids trading and "tipping" while in possession of material, nonpublic information regarding a tender offer received from the tender offeror, the target company or anyone acting on behalf of either. 1 Employees should exercise particular caution any time they become aware of nonpublic information relating to a tender offer.
_________________________ |
1 See Exchange Act Rule 14e-3, which may be found at: http://www.law.uc.edu/CCL/34ActRls/rule14e-3.html. |
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4. | Private Investments in Public Equities ("PIPEs") |
Employees may be approached by third parties (including prime brokers) that wish to solicit the Firm's participation in a PIPE offering of the securities of a publicly-traded company. Such offerings often occur in connection with events that are not generally known by the public and upon revelation to the public could have a significant effect on the price of the company's stock. The mere fact that the Firm or an Employee has been contacted in connection with a PIPE transaction could result in the Firm being suspected of having received nonpublic information about the PIPE issuer.
As a general matter, the Firm does not participate in PIPE transactions on behalf of Clients and does not wish to receive unsolicited offers to do so. Accordingly, it is essential that, any time an Employee is a participant in a phone call during which a conversation about a PIPE offering is initiated or appears about to be initiated, the Employee immediately discontinue the call. Thereafter, the Employee should immediately inform the CCO of the call and any nonpublic information that was conveyed concerning any PIPE offering so that the CCO can take appropriate steps to insure compliance with the Firm's policies and the federal securities laws.
5. | Restricted List and Watch List |
The Firm will maintain a list of companies about which a determination has been made that it is prudent to restrict trading activity (the " Restricted List "). This might include, for example, a company about which Investment Personnel may have acquired material, nonpublic information or a position where the Firm may have a securities filing obligation.
Additionally, the Firm will maintain a " Watch List " of companies as to which a determination has been made that it is prudent to restrict Access Persons' trading in Securities of such companies. Any Security in which the Firm transacts for a Client shall be included on the Watch List for a period that (i) commences on the date the transaction commences and (ii) ends at the close of business three (3) full business days after completion of the transaction; provided, however, that for Investment Personnel only, a Security shall be included on the Watch List for a period that (x) commences upon the Security's inclusion in a list of securities approved by the Firms Investment Committee for investment by a Client and (y) ends at the close of business three (3) full business days after it is no longer held in any Client's portfolio.
As a general rule, trades will not be allowed for Clients, or for the personal accounts of Employees, in the securities of a company appearing on the Restricted List, except with approval of the CCO. Similarly, any determination to remove a company from the Restricted List must be approved by the CCO.
As a general rule, Personal Securities Transactions will not be allowed for Securities of a company appearing on the Watch List, except with approval of the CCO. Similarly, any determination to remove a company from the Watch List must be approved by the CCO.
Restrictions with regard to securities on the Restricted List and the Watch List are also considered to extend to options, rights or warrants relating to those securities and any securities convertible into those securities.
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C. | Gifts and Entertainment. |
Employees have a duty to ensure that their actions are completely free from any conflict with the interests of the Clients. Even if any actual conflict of interest does not exist, the mere appearance of a conflict of interest may result in a Client's loss of confidence. The overriding principle is that an Employee should not accept gifts or entertainment that could influence his or her investment decision-making, allocation of Client brokerage, or exercise of his or her fiduciary duty toward a Client, nor should an Employee give gifts or provide entertainment that could induce a fiduciary or trustee for a Client or potential Client to breach his or her fiduciary duty.
To protect Employees and the Firm from charges of conflicts of interest arising from the giving and/or receiving of gifts or entertainment, the following policies apply with respect to: (a) gifts received by Employees from, or entertainment provided to Employees by, securities or investment industry professionals and entities, such as broker-dealers, third-party research providers, or sponsors of potential investment vehicles (including partnerships and public and private companies); and (b) gifts given or entertainment provided by Employees to fiduciaries or trustees for a Client or potential Client.
The CCO may grant an exception, in writing, from any part of these policies where the circumstances surrounding the giving or receipt of the gift or entertainment do not implicate the above principle.
(1) Definitions. Acceptable gifts (to be given or received) have been divided into two broad categories defined below:
a) | Category 1 : Tangible items and entertainment/events not attended by the gift giver/entertainment provider: |
These are generally either physical objects, e.g. , golf balls, fruit baskets, food, wine, tote bags, etc., or a function or event not attended with the provider, e.g. , free tickets to a sporting event or music concert. The acceptable limits are: |
Fair value of gift/entertainment | Action required |
(total per giving entity/individual recipient) | |
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Nothing if Employee is recipient | |
$0 to $100 per year | Approval of CCO prior to Employee giving |
the gift or providing the entertainment | |
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Reported to CCO if Employee is the recipient | |
$101 to $250* per year | Approval of CCO prior to Employee giving |
the gift or providing the entertainment |
* Subject to the CCO's exemptive authority, the maximum permitted is $250 per year from the Firm or an Employee to one of the above-mentioned fiduciaries or trustees or from one of the above-mentioned securities or investment industry entities or professionals to an Employee.
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b) | Category 2 : Events/entertainment attended with the entertainment provider: |
These generally are business functions or social activities that include access to the events for the purpose of conducting business, networking and/or general entertainment where you attend with the entertainment provider. |
Fair value of gift | |
(total per provider/individual recipient) | Action required |
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Nothing if Employee is recipient | |
$0 to $250 per event | |
(limit 1 per quarter) | Approval of CCO prior to Employee providing |
the entertainment | |
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Report to CCO if Employee is Recipient | |
$251 to $500 per event and Customary* | |
(limit one per quarter) | Approval of CCO prior to Employee providing |
the entertainment | |
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Approval of CCO if Employee is Recipient | |
$251 to $500 per event and not Customary* | |
(limit one pre-approved per quarter) | Approval of CCO prior to Employee providing |
the entertainment | |
More than $500 per event | Prohibited |
* Customarily given by similar brokers, underwriters, placement agents, or securities or investment industry professionals in that geographic area.
(2) | Where the approval of the CCO is required, it will be documented in writing. | |
(3) | General principles: | |
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Employees may not solicit gifts or entertainment. | |
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Gifts of cash and gift certificates are prohibited. | |
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Excessive gift and entertainment activity is prohibited, and what is "excessive" will be determined by the CCO. | |
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Gifts and entertainment must be consistent with good business practices and taste and should never bring embarrassment to the Firm. | |
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Gifts to government officials (domestic or foreign) or agencies, financial exchanges, and self-regulatory organizations are prohibited, unless an exception is granted by the CCO. |
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D. Serving on Publicly-Traded Companies' Boards of Directors
Employees are prohibited from serving on the boards of directors of publicly-traded companies without prior approval of the CCO. Employees may submit a request for authorization and such request shall state the position sought, the reason service is desired, and any possible conflicts of interest known at the time of the request. The CCO may approve such a request only after he has determined that such service is not inconsistent with the best interests of the Firm and Clients. As part of his approval of such a request, the CCO shall implement appropriate procedures designed to prevent the Employee and the Firm from violating these policies and the federal securities laws.
E. Outside Activities
The Firm recognizes that certain outside activities of Employees will not interfere with the Employee's duties to the Firm and to Clients and hence should be permissible. To ensure that such outside activities do not conflict with any duties to the Firm or to Clients or otherwise harm the Firm's reputation, the Firm requires that all Employees disclose, in writing, to the CCO such outside activities at the inception of the activity and annually thereafter. "Outside activities" include directorships of private companies, public/charitable positions and fiduciary appointments (such as service as an executor, trustee or pursuant to a power-of-attorney) other than with respect to family members. Questions regarding whether any outside activity conflicts with an Employee's or the Firm's duties or harms the Firm's reputation must be promptly directed to and resolved by the CCO.
F. Reporting of Violations
Any Employee who discovers a violation or apparent violation of the Code or of an applicable law or regulation, by him/herself or anyone else, must promptly report the matter to the CCO. All such reports will be treated confidentially to the extent permitted by law and will be investigated promptly and appropriately. The Firm prohibits retaliation against individuals who report violations or apparent violations of the Code, or of applicable laws or regulations, in good faith and will treat any such retaliation as a further violation of the Code.
G. Contact by a Regulator or Third Party (including the Media)
Any Employee who is contacted by a regulator or other governmental official concerning the Firm's business practices must promptly report the matter to the CCO. Any Employee who is contacted by a third party (including a lawyer representing a Client or Client investor) concerning threatened or actual litigation or any other adversarial proceeding against the Firm must promptly report the matter to the CCO. All contacts from the media should be immediately referred to the Firm's Chief Executive Officer (the " CEO ") or the Firm's Chief Operating Officer (the " COO ").
H. Provision of Code of Ethics/Annual Acknowledgement
The Firm will provide the Code to all Employees upon adoption and to all new Employees upon employment. The CCO will provide any amendments to the Code promptly to all Employees. For each calendar year, all Employees must execute an acknowledgement
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certifying that: they have received, read and understand the Code; they recognize that they are subject to it; they have complied with the Code during the period since their last acknowledgement; and they will continue to comply with it. The form of Acknowledgement, titled "Acknowledgement of Code of Ethics", is attached to the Code as Schedule F.
I. Political and Charitable Contributions
Employees are prohibited from making any political or charitable contribution that, by virtue of its amount or the circumstances under which it is made, appears to be intended to induce a fiduciary, trustee, or official with investment decision-making authority or influence regarding a pension plan or similar plan to direct advisory business or investment capital to the Firm. In addition, upon adoption of the Firm's pay-to-play policies and procedures, Employees shall comply with those policies and procedures with respect to every political contribution that they anticipate making.
4. SPECIFIC POLICIES APPLICABLE TO ALL ACCESS PERSONS
A. No Access Person (as defined in Schedule A) shall divulge to any other person any Client holdings, any recommendation made to a Client, or any contemplated or completed securities transactions or trading strategies of a Client, except as required in the performance of his or her duties and only to the extent such other person has a need to know such information to perform his or her duties.
B. An Access Person shall use his or her best judgment in giving investment advice to Clients and shall not take into consideration his or her personal financial situation or interests in doing so.
C. When engaging in a Personal Securities Transaction (as defined in Schedule A), an Access Person shall place the interests of Clients first and avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or abuse of his or her position. This policy is designed to recognize the fundamental principle that Access Persons have a duty of loyalty to the Firm and its Clients.
D. Access Persons shall not engage in any transaction that involves the acquisition of Beneficial Ownership (as defined in Schedule A) of Securities in an initial public offering, a Limited Offering (as defined in Schedule A) or other private placement of Securities without receiving prior written approval from the CCO and the Firm's Chief Investment Officer (the " CIO "). In reviewing any approval request described above, the CIO shall consider, among other factors, whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for Clients, and whether the opportunity is being offered to the requesting individual by virtue of his or her position with the Firm.
E. No Access Person shall engage in any Personal Securities Transaction that involves a Restricted Security (as defined in Schedule A).
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F. Participation in Limited Offerings and other private placements of Securities shall be limited as follows:
(1) | Access Persons shall not engage in any transaction that involves a Limited Offering or other private placement of Securities without the written prior approval of the CCO. |
(2) | Access Persons who have a Beneficial Ownership interest in any Securities obtained through a private placement shall disclose such interest to the CCO and when they become aware of or involved in any subsequent consideration of an investment in the same issuer for a Client. |
(3) | The review of the transactions described above, and the related decision whether to invest in those Securities for a Client, shall be conducted and approved by the CIO and reported to the CCO. In reviewing any approval request described above, the CIO shall consider, among other factors, whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for Clients, and whether the opportunity is being offered to the requesting individual by virtue of his or her position with the Firm. |
G. The timing of Personal Securities Transactions shall be limited as follows:
(1) | There shall be a minimum holding period of thirty (30) calendar days in any Securities that are the subject of a Personal Securities Transaction, commencing on the date on which such Personal Securities Transaction is completed. |
(2) | For purposes of this paragraph (G), "Securities" includes any Securities that are equivalent to, or whose prices are derived from, the relevant Security. By way of example, the put and call options on a stock will be deemed to be the same Security as the underlying stock. However, generally, a non-convertible bond of an issuer will not be deemed to be the same Security as the issuer's stock. |
(3) | In extraordinary cases, the CCO, in consultation with the COO, may grant an exemption from the above-mentioned thirty (30)-day holding period. Any such exemption shall be in writing and shall set forth the basis for the exemption, signed by the CCO. |
H. Access Persons shall not engage in excessive trading for their personal securities accounts. Excessive personal trading by an Access Person diverts such Access Person's attention from the responsibility of providing services to Clients and increases the risk of transactions that are in actual or apparent conflict with Client transactions. This Code does not define "excessive trading", but rather leaves such determinations to the judgment of the CCO based on the circumstances. Access Persons should be aware, however, that if their trades exceed twelve (12) per month, the trading activity will be specifically reviewed for excessiveness.
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I. Before effecting a Personal Securities Transaction, an Access Person shall notify the CCO of the proposed transaction, in writing, including the amount of the transaction and the Security involved. Whenever possible, the Access Person shall use the Firm's form entitled "Request by Access Person to Engage in Personal Securities Transaction", which is found at Schedule E, for this purpose. The CCO after investigation shall determine whether such transaction is consistent with the Code and shall promptly communicate such determination, in writing, to the Access Person making the request. Transaction clearances must be obtained on the day that the Access Person seeks to make a purchase or sale of a Security. If the trade is not made on the same day clearance is granted, a new clearance must be obtained. Absent extraordinary circumstances, no Access Person shall be deemed to have violated the Code for effecting a Personal Securities Transaction if such Access Person has been advised by the CCO that the transaction would be consistent with the Code.
J. The CCO, in consultation with the CIO, may, on a case-by-case basis, grant exceptions to the restrictions in the Code relating to Personal Securities Transactions. Such exceptions will be granted only in circumstances where the CCO and the CIO determine that, despite falling within the restrictions of the Code, the Personal Securities Transaction in question does not violate any law and does not conflict, either actually or apparently, with the interests of any Client. The grant of any such exception, and the facts and circumstances surrounding the grant of such exception, shall be documented by the CCO.
K. When an Access Person engages in any transaction that involves the acquisition or disposition of his/her Beneficial Ownership of a Security, the Access Person shall direct that the executing broker send a duplicate copy of the confirmation to the CCO at the same time as it is provided to such Access Person.
5. | ACCESS PERSON REPORTING REQUIREMENTS |
A. Initial Holdings Report; Annual Holdings Report
If an Access Person elects not to use the account statement procedure described below, such Access Person must provide an initial holdings report to the CCO within ten (10) days of becoming an Access Person and thereafter on an annual basis. The form of the report is attached to the Code as Schedule B. Access Persons need not report holdings that are not "Securities" as defined in Schedule A of the Code.
B. Monthly and Quarterly Personal Transaction Reports
If an Access Person elects not to use the duplicate confirmation and account statement procedure described below, no later than seven (7) days after the end of each month, such Access Person must submit a Monthly Transaction Report, a copy of which is attached to the Code as Schedule C, to the CCO. The report must give details concerning all transactions during the month in any Security in which the Access Person has (or had during the month), or by reason of any transaction acquired, any Beneficial Ownership.
If an Access Person elects not to use the duplicate confirmation and account statement procedure described below, no later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter, such Access Person must submit a Quarterly Transaction Report to the CCO. The form
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of the report is attached to this Code as Schedule D. The report must give details concerning all transactions during the quarter in any Security in which the Access Person has (or had during the quarter), or by reason of any transaction acquired, any Beneficial Ownership.
With respect to any account established by the Access Person, the information in the above-mentioned Monthly and Quarterly Transaction Reports must include:
If no reportable transactions occurred during the month or quarter, the relevant Transaction Report must say so. The CCO must review, initial and date the Transaction Report of each Access Person before filing it.
An Access Person is not required to submit a report with respect to: |
(1) | holdings that are not "Securities" as defined in the Code (as set forth in Schedule A); or |
(2) | transactions effected pursuant to an automatic investment plan. |
Duplicate Confirmation and Account Statement Procedure: In lieu of completing and submitting the above-mentioned Holdings or Transaction Reports, an Access Person may: (i) with respect to Initial and/or Annual Holdings Reports, provide the CCO with copies of account statements for all accounts maintained by such Access Person that are subject to the reporting requirements of this personal trading policy; and (ii) with respect to Monthly and/or Quarterly Transaction Reports, instruct each broker-dealer with which he or she maintains accounts that are subject to the reporting requirements of this personal trading policy, via Rule 407 letter or other means, to send duplicate confirmations of all trades for those accounts and duplicate monthly account statements to the CCO. The Access Person is responsible for confirming that such duplicate records are timely received by the CCO.
C. Confidential Treatment
The Firm shall maintain all Transaction Reports and information therein in confidence, except to the extent necessary to implement and enforce the provisions of the Code or to comply with investigative requests or inquiries from regulatory authorities.
6. | ENFORCEMENT AND SANCTIONS |
A. Process and Responsibility
The CCO has the primary responsibility for determining whether violations of the Code have occurred and, if so, for recommending any sanctions with respect to violations. The ultimate responsibility for determining whether and what sanctions are appropriate shall rest with
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the COO and the CIO. If the alleged violator is the CCO, the matter must be reported to the COO and the CIO, who shall have responsibility for enforcing the Code and determining any sanctions. The Firm shall maintain a written record of all such violations and any action taken as a result.
A violator of the Code may be terminated, suspended, reduced in salary or position, or sanctioned in any other manner at the discretion of the person or persons enforcing the Code, subject to any employment or other agreement between such violator and the Firm. In determining appropriate sanctions, the person or persons enforcing the Code may consider any factors they deem relevant, including, without limitation: (i) the degree of willfulness of the violation; (ii) the severity of the violation; (iii) the extent, if any, to which the violator profited or benefited from the violation; (iv) the adverse effect, if any, of the violation on any Clients; (v) the market value and liquidity of the class of securities involved in the violation; (vi) the prior violations, if any, of the Code by the violator; and (vii) the circumstances of discovery of the violation. In addition to sanctions, violations may result in referral to civil or criminal authorities where appropriate.
B. | Opportunity to Respond |
A person charged with a violation of the Code shall have the opportunity to appear before the person or persons enforcing the Code and to respond to all charges.
7. | RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER RELATED TO PERSONAL TRADING |
A. | Initial Holdings Report; Annual Holdings Report |
The CCO shall: (1) identify all Access Persons who are required to submit Initial and Annual Holdings Reports and inform such Access Persons of their reporting obligations; and (2) review and maintain all Initial and Annual Holdings Reports. Completion of the review shall be indicated on the Report itself and shall involve such considerations as the CCO deems necessary to enforce the provisions and intent of the Code.
B. | Monthly and Quarterly Transaction Reports |
The CCO shall: (1) identify all Access Persons who are required to make Monthly and Quarterly Transaction Reports and inform such Access Persons of their reporting obligations; and (2) review and maintain all Monthly and Quarterly Transaction Reports. Completion of the review shall be indicated on the Report itself and shall involve such considerations as the CCO deems necessary to enforce the provisions and intent of the Code.
C. | Pre-Approval of Personal Securities Transactions |
The CCO, in consultation with the CIO, shall review and approve or disapprove all Access Person requests to engage in Personal Securities Transactions. The review shall involve such considerations as the CCO deems necessary to enforce the provisions and intent of the Code. With respect to Limited Offerings and other private placements, the CCO shall
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specifically document the reasons for approving or disapproving the request. The COO or CIO will review and pre-clear the CCO's Personal Securities Transactions.
In considering whether to pre-approve a Personal Securities Transaction, the CCO shall consider, among other things, the following factors:
(a) | whether the Security appears on the Restricted List or the Watch List; |
(b) | whether the investment opportunity should be reserved for a Client; and |
(c) | whether the opportunity is being offered to an individual by virtue of his/her position with respect to the Firm or a Client. |
D. Violations or Suspected Violations
If the CCO becomes aware of a violation or suspected violation of the Code as a result of such review, the CCO shall take whatever steps are deemed necessary to enforce the provisions of the Code, including consulting with outside counsel. The CCO follows up any issues by meeting with the relevant employee(s) and communicating any material violations to the CEO. The CCO may (as he/she thinks necessary and appropriate) report any material violations to a Client's board of directors/trustees and chief compliance officer.
E. Annual Report to Registered Fund Board
No less frequently than annually, the CCO shall furnish to the board of directors for every registered investment company advised or subadvised by the Firm a written report that:
(a) | describes any issues arising under the Code or the Firm's procedures since the last report to the board of directors, including, but not limited to, information about any material violations of the Code or procedures and sanctions imposed in response to such violations; and |
(b) | certifies that the Firm has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating the Code. |
F. Review of Chief Compliance Officer Reports and Requests
To the extent the CCO submits Holdings and Transactions Reports or Personal Securities Transaction pre-clearance requests pursuant to the Code, such reports and requests will be reviewed by the COO, who shall act as the Chief Compliance Officer pro tem under the Code with respect to any such reports and requests.
G. Delegation
The CCO may delegate certain administrative responsibilities under the Code. The CCO shall retain ultimate responsibility, however, for the administration of the Code.
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8. | OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER |
A. Administrative |
The CCO shall:
B. Records Required To Be Kept for Five Years (minimum two (2) years on-site)
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SCHEDULE A
DEFINITIONS
" Access Person " means any Employee who:
All Officers and all Employees of the Firm are presumed to be Access Persons.
" Beneficial Ownership " of a security, with respect to an Employee, means the power to direct the purchase or sale or voting of such security and/or a direct or indirect "financial interest" in the security (including any opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the security). In addition to obvious instances of Beneficial Ownership, Beneficial Ownership by a Employee includes, without limitation, the following examples: securities beneficially owned by Immediate Family Members of the person (a presumption rebuttable by evidence to the contrary); securities held by a trust for which the person is either a trustee or a beneficiary; securities held by a partnership in which the person is a general partner and securities held by another person or entity pursuant to any agreement, understanding, relationship or other arrangement giving the person any direct or indirect pecuniary interest.
" Immediate Family Member " of a person includes the person's spouse, and any children for whom the person provides financial support and who reside in the same household with the person, and any trust or estate in which the person or any other Immediate Family Member has a Beneficial Ownership interest.
" Investment Personnel " means (i) the Firms Chief Technology Officer (and any other Employee reporting directly to him), (ii) the Firms Chief Compliance Officer, and (ii) any Access Person who is a member of the Firm's Investment Committee or who performs his/her regular functions at the Firm's Trading Desk.
" Limited Offering " means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the " 1933 Act ") pursuant to section 4(2) or section 4(6) or pursuant to Rule 504, Rule 505, or Rule 506 under the 1933 Act.
" Personal Securities Transaction " means a transaction in a Security in which an Access Person has or thereby acquires Beneficial Ownership, except for a transaction in shares of an open-end mutual fund (including an exchange-traded fund) and transactions in municipal securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction in a Security effected for an account over which an Access Person has no investment control, influence or discretion (including, without limitation, a fully discretionary investment management account ( e.g. , an SMA), blind account, blind trust, and certain other types of trust with respect to which all investment
decisions are made by a third party unrelated to the Access Person) does not constitute a Personal Securities Transaction. This exception is applicable only for discretionary accounts that are pre-approved by the CCO after his receipt from the Access Person of (1) the written discretionary investment management agreement or similar document covering the account and (2) the Access Persons (and such third partys) written certification, in form and substance acceptable to the CCO, to the effect that (i) the Access Person does not provide instructions to, or otherwise exercise control over, the third party regarding investment decisions with respect to the account; (ii) the third party has sole investment discretion over the account; (iii) the third party is not an affiliated person or a relative of the Access Person; and (iv) the Access Person will promptly provide the CCO with any subsequent amendments to the discretionary investment management agreement or similar document governing the third partys management of the account.
" Restricted Security " means a Security that has not been registered pursuant to the 1933 Act and may only be resold pursuant to an exemption from registration, typically pursuant to Section 4(2) of the 1933 Act or Rules 144 or 144A thereunder.
" Security " means (except as set forth below) any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, reorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency, exchange-traded funds, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a "security", or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guaranty of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any of the foregoing.
" Security " does not include:
SCHEDULE
B
HOLDINGS REPORT OF ACCESS PERSON |
Please indicate below whether this is an Initial Holdings Report or an Annual Holdings Report.
_____ Initial | _____ Annual |
You must submit this Report to the Chief Compliance Officer not later than ten (10) days after you become an Access Person and thereafter no later than January 31 st of each year. You should carefully review the Code of Ethics before completing this Report. Capitalized terms in this Report have the same meanings as defined in the Code of Ethics. Please direct questions regarding the completion of this Report to the Chief Compliance Officer.
| You need not include securities holdings that are not "Securities" as defined in the Code. |
| If you have no reportable securities holdings, put an "X" in the following box and skip to the signature line. |
| Note: You may attach broker-dealer or other statements reflecting your reportable securities holdings so long as they contain all the |
information required by this Report. If you attach statements, write "See attached statements" on the face of this Report. | |
| Please set forth the following information with respect to reportable securities holdings in which you have any Beneficial Ownership: |
Securities Accounts | ||
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Account Title
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Broker/Institution Name and Address
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Account Number/Date Opened
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Covered Securities | ||||
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Title of Security
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Type of Security
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Ticker or CUSIP
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Number of Shares
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Principal Amount
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SCHEDULE
B
(continued) |
Title of Security
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Type of Security
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Ticker or CUSIP
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Number of Shares
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Principal Amount
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(If you need additional space, please attach additional pages.) |
The answers to the foregoing (including any attached statements) are true and correct to the best of my information and belief and the information supplied is current as of a date no more than forty-five (45) days before the date of this submission.
_______________________________ | |
Name of Access Person | |
Dated: ________________________,___________ | _______________________________ |
Signature of Access Person | |
Chief Compliance Officer Initials: _____ | Date: _______________ |
SCHEDULE C |
MONTHLY TRANSACTION REPORT
OF
ACCESS PERSON
(for the Month Ended _______________________ ) |
You must submit this Report to the Chief Compliance Officer not later than seven (7) days after the end of each calendar month. You should carefully review the Code of Ethics before completing this Report. Capitalized terms in this Report have the same meanings as defined in the Code of Ethics.
Please direct questions regarding the completion of this Report to the Chief Compliance Officer.
Transactions | |||||||
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Trade Date/ | Trans Price/ | Name of | Ticker or | Interest Rate/ a | Principal | Broker/ | Date Acct. |
Trans. Type | No. Shares | Security | CUSIP | Maturity Date | Amount | Institution | was Opened |
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(If you need additional space, please attach additional pages |
The answers to the foregoing (including any attached statements) are true and correct to the best of my information and belief.
_____________________________________ | |
Name of Access Person | |
Dated: ________________________, ______ | _________________________________ |
Signature of Access Person | |
Chief Compliance Officer Initials: ____ | Date: ______________ |
SCHEDULE D |
QUARTERLY TRANSACTION REPORT
OF
ACCESS PERSON
(for the Quarter Ended ) |
You must submit this Report to the Chief Compliance Officer not later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter. You should carefully review the Code of Ethics before completing this Report. Capitalized terms in this Report have the same meanings as defined in the Code of Ethics.
Please direct questions regarding the completion of this Report to the Chief Compliance Officer.
Transactions | |||||||
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Trade Date/ | Trans Price/ | Name of | Ticker or | Interest Rate/ a | Principal | Broker/ | Date Acct. |
Trans.Type
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No. Shares
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Security
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CUSIP
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Maturity Date
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Amount
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Institution
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was Opened
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(If you need additional space, please attach additional pages.) |
_______________________________ | |
Name of Access Person | |
Dated: ________________________,________ | _______________________________ |
Signature of Access Person | |
Chief Compliance Officer Initials: _____ | Date: ____________ |
SCHEDULE E |
REQUEST BY ACCESS PERSON
TO ENGAGE IN PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTION |
I hereby request permission to effect a Personal Securities Transaction, as indicated below, for my own account or other account in which I have a Beneficial Ownership interest. (If necessary, use approximate dates and amounts of proposed Personal Securities Transaction.)
Record Owner of Account: __________________________________________________ |
Relationship to Access Person: _______________________________________________ |
Proposed Date of Transaction: ______________________, 20__ |
PROPOSED TRANSACTION | |||||
Number of | Nature of | ||||
Name of Issuer/ | Shares or | Transaction | |||
Title or Description | Principal | (purchase, | Unit | Total | Broker, |
of Security | Amount | sale or other) | Price | Price | Dealer or Bank |
_____________________________________ | ||
Name of Access Person | ||
Dated: ___________ | , 20__. | ______________________________ |
Signature of Access Person |
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¨ | PERMISSION GRANTED | ¨ | PERMISSION DENIED |
Dated: _____________, 20__. |
______________________________________ |
Signature of Chief Compliance Officer |
SCHEDULE F
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF CODE OF ETHICS |
Please indicate below whether this is an initial Acknowledgment, an annual Acknowledgment, or an Acknowledgment of an amended Code of Ethics.
_____ Initial | _____ Annual | _____ Amended |
You must review the Firm's Code of Ethics before completing this Acknowledgment. Terms defined in the Code of Ethics have the same meanings in this Acknowledgment. You must give this Acknowledgment directly to the Chief Compliance Officer.
For the initial and annual Acknowledgments, please complete the following: As of the date below, I participate in the following outside activities (as discussed in the Code of the Ethics):
Name of Organization | Position |
I REPRESENT AND CERTIFY THAT I HAVE RECEIVED, READ, UNDERSTOOD AND WILL COMPLY WITH THE CODE OF ETHICS AND UNDERSTAND THAT I AM SUBJECT TO THE CODE. I FURTHER REPRESENT AND CERTIFY THAT I HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE CODE DURING THE ENTIRE PERIOD SINCE MY LAST SUCH ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
Please direct questions regarding the completion of this Acknowledgment to the Chief Compliance Officer.
Name of Employee | |
Dated:____________________,________ | _____________________________________ |
Signature of Employee |