As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 26, 2011 |
1933 Act File No. 33-71320
1940 Act File No. 811-8134
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM N-1A REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT of 1933 ¨ POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 37 x REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 ¨ AMENDMENT NO. 38 x EATON VANCE MUNICIPALS TRUST II (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):
¨ immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) | ¨ on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
x on June 1, 2011 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. |
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income
Fund Class A Shares - ETHYX Class B Shares - EVHYX Class C Shares - ECHYX Class I Shares - EIHYX A mutual fund seeking high current income exempt from federal income tax |
Prospectus Dated
June 1, ^ 2011 |
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or
determined whether this Prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. |
Information in this Prospectus | |||
Page | Page | ||
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Fund Summary | 2 | Investment Objective & Principal Policies and Risks | 6 |
Investment Objective |
2 | Management and Organization | ^ 8 |
Fees and Expenses of the Fund |
2 | Valuing Shares | 8 |
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 |
5 | Additional Tax Information | ^ 16 |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares |
5 | Financial Highlights | ^ 17 |
Tax Information |
5 | ||
Payments to Broker-Dealers andOther Financial Intermediaries |
5 | ||
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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
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund
Investment Objective
The Funds investment objective is to provide high current income exempt from regular federal income tax.
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 ^ 21 of the Funds Statement of Additional Information.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) | Class A | Class B | Class C | Class I | ||
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Maximum Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of offering price) | 4.75% | None | None | None | ||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of net asset value at time of purchase or redemption) | None | 5.00% | 1.00% | None | ||
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) | Class A | Class B | Class C | Class I | ||
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Management Fees | 0. ^ 52 % | 0. ^ 52 % | 0. ^ 52 % | 0. ^ 52 % | ||
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 1.00% | n/a | ||
Interest Expense (1) |
0. ^ 12 % | |||||
Expenses other than Interest Expense | 0. ^ 16 % ^ (0. ^ 15% for Class C and Class I ) | |||||
Other Expenses | 0. ^ 28 % | 0. ^ 28 % | 0. ^ 27 % | 0. ^ 27 % | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1. ^ 05 % | 1. ^ 80 % | 1. ^ 79 % | 0. ^ 79 % | ||
(1) | Interest Expense relates to the Funds liability with respect to floating rate notes held by third parties in conjunction with residual interest bond transactions by the Fund. The Fund also records offsetting | |||||
interest income in an amount equal to this expense relating to the municipal obligations underlying such transactions and, as a result, net asset value and performance have not been affected by this | ||||||
expense. If Interest Expense was not included, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses would have been ^ 0 . ^ 93 % for Class A, 1. ^ 68 % for Class B, 1. ^ 67 % for Class C, and 0. ^ 67 % for Class I. | ||||||
See Investment Objective & Principal Policies and Risks" in this Prospectus for a description of these transactions. |
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 | 5 Years | 10 Years | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
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Class A shares |
$ ^ 577 | $ ^ 793 | $1, ^ 027 | $1, ^ 697 | $ ^ 577 | $ ^ 793 | $1, ^ 027 | $1, ^ 697 |
Class B shares |
$ ^ 683 | $ ^ 966 | $1, ^ 175 | $1, ^ 919 | $ ^ 183 | $ ^ 566 | $ ^ 975 | $1, ^ 919 |
Class C shares |
$ ^ 282 | $ ^ 563 | $ ^ 970 | $2, ^ 105 | $ ^ 182 | $ ^ 563 | $ ^ 970 | $2, ^ 105 |
Class I shares |
$ ^ 81 | $ ^ 252 | $ ^ 439 | $ ^ 978 | $ ^ 81 | $ ^ 252 | $ ^ 439 | $ ^ 978 |
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 . During the most recent fiscal year, the Funds portfolio turnover rate was ^ 12 % of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in debt obligations (including notes and tax-exempt commercial paper) issued by or on behalf of states, territories and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and their political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities, the interest on which is exempt from regular federal income tax (the 80% Policy). The Fund may invest without limit in obligations the income from which is subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. The Fund will primarily invest in "high yield" municipal obligations under normal market conditions. For this purpose, "high yield" municipal obligations are municipal obligations rated at the time of investment either Baa or lower by Moodys
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Investors ^ Service , Inc. ("Moodys"), or BBB or lower by either Standard & Poors Ratings Group ("S&P") or Fitch Ratings ("Fitch")) or, if unrated, determined by the investment adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund may also invest a portion of its assets in municipal ^ obligations that are not paying current income in anticipation of possible future income. The Fund may invest in securities in any rating category, including those in default. The Fund may purchase or sell derivative instruments (such as residual interest bonds, futures contracts and options thereon, interest rate swaps, and forward rate contracts ^ ) for hedging purposes, for total return or as a substitute for the purchase or sale of securities .
In pursuing its investment objective, the Fund primarily acquires municipal obligations with maturities of ten years or more, but may acquire securities with shorter maturities. The Funds portfolio often has a longer average maturity than is typical of most other funds that invest primarily in municipal obligations. As a result, the interest rate risk described below may be more significant for the Fund. The Fund may concentrate 25% or more of its total assets in certain types of municipal obligations (such as general obligations, municipal leases, revenue bonds and industrial development bonds) and in one or more economic sectors (such as housing, hospitals, healthcare facilities or utilities).
The investment advisers process for selecting obligations for purchase and sale ^ emphasizes the creditworthiness of the issuer or other person obligated to repay the obligation and the relative value of the obligation in the market. ^ In evaluating creditworthiness , the investment adviser considers ratings ^ assigned by rating agencies and generally performs ^ additional credit and investment analysis^ . The portfolio manager also may trade securities to minimize taxable capital gains to shareholders. A portion of the Funds distributions generally will be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. The Fund may not be suitable for investors subject to the alternative minimum tax.
Principal Risks
Municipal Bond Market Risk. The amount of public information available about municipal bonds is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds and the investment performance of the Fund may be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the investment adviser than would be the case for a stock fund or corporate bond fund. The secondary market for municipal bonds also tends to be less well-developed and less liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Funds ability to sell its bonds at attractive prices. In addition, municipal obligations can experience downturns in trading activity and the supply of municipal obligations may exceed the demand in the market. During such periods, the spread can widen between the price at which an obligation can be purchased and the price at which it can be sold. Less liquid obligations can become more difficult to value and be subject to erratic price movements. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for certain investments or for investments generally, which may reduce market prices and cause the value of Fund shares to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes cannot be predicted. The increased presence of non-traditional participants or the absence of traditional participants in the municipal markets may lead to greater volatility in the markets.
Interest Rate Risk. As interest rates rise, the value of Fund shares is likely to decline. Conversely, when interest rates decline, the value of Fund shares is likely to rise. Obligations with longer maturities typically offer higher yields, but involve greater risk because the prices of such obligations are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than obligations with shorter maturities. In a declining interest rate environment, prepayments of obligations may increase if the issuer has the ability to pre-pay or "call" the obligation. In such circumstances, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds at lower yields. Because the Fund is managed toward an income objective, it may hold more longer-maturity obligations and thereby be more exposed to interest rate risk than municipal income funds that are managed with a greater emphasis on total return.
Credit Risk. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances may reduce the capacity of issuers of fixed income securities to make principal and interest payments and may lead to defaults. Such defaults may reduce the value of Fund shares and income distributions. The value of a fixed income security also may decline because of real or perceived concerns about the issuers ability to make principal and interest payments. In addition, the credit rating of securities held by the Fund may be lowered if an issuers financial condition changes. Municipal obligations may be insured as to principal and interest payments. If the claims-paying ability or other rating of the insurer is downgraded by a rating agency, the value of such obligations may be negatively affected. In the case of an insured bond, the bonds rating will be deemed to be the higher of the rating assigned to the bonds issuer or the insurer.
Risk of Lower Rated Investments. Investments in lower rated obligations and comparable unrated securities ("junk bonds") 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.
^
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 ^ economic leverage in the Fund, which magnifies the Funds exposure to the underlying investment . Derivatives risk
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
may be more significant when derivatives 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 securitiy held by the Fund. 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 ^ a ^ transaction may be unsuccessful ^ in whole or in part 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 . If a derivatives counterparty is unable to honor its commitments, the value of Fund shares may decline and the Fund could experience delays in the return of collateral or other assets held by the counterparty . The loss on derivative transactions may substantially exceed the initial investment.
Risk of ^ Residual Interest Bonds . The Fund may enter into residual interest bond transactions, which expose the Fund to leverage and greater risk than an investment in a fixed-rate municipal bond. The interest payments that the Fund receives on the residual interest bonds acquired in such transactions vary inversely with short-term interest rates, normally decreasing when rates increase. The value and market for residual interest bonds are volatile and such bonds may have limited liquidity.
Sector and Geographic Concentration Risk. Because the Fund may concentrate its investments in certain types of municipal obligations and may concentrate in certain sectors , the value of Fund shares may be affected by events that adversely affect that sector or type of obligation and may fluctuate more than that of a less concentrated fund ^ . General obligation bonds issued by municipalities are adversely affected by economic downturns and the resulting decline in tax revenues.
Tax Risk. Income from tax-exempt municipal obligations could be declared taxable because of unfavorable changes in tax laws, adverse interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service or non-compliant conduct of a bond issuer . A portion of the Funds income may be taxable to shareholders and subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.
Risks Associated with Active Management. The Fund is an actively managed portfolio and its success depends upon the investment skills and analytical abilities of the investment adviser to develop and effectively implement strategies that achieve the Funds investment objective . Subjective decisions made by the investment adviser may cause the Fund to incur losses or to miss profit opportunities on which it may otherwise have capitalized.
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 ^ Annual Fund Operating Expenses expressed as a percentage of ^ the Funds 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 investment objective . Investors in the Fund should have a long-term investment perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. 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. ^
Performance
The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Funds performance from year to year and how the Funds average annual returns over time compare with those of ^ two broad-based securities market ^ indices . The returns in the bar chart are for Class A shares and do not reflect a sales charge. If the sales charge was reflected, the returns would be lower. Past performance (both before and after taxes) is no guarantee of future results. Updated Fund performance information can be obtained by visiting www.eatonvance.com. ^
During the ten years ended December 31, ^ 2010 , the highest quarterly total return for Class A was 16.76% for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, and the lowest quarterly total return was 27.80% for the quarter ended December 31, 2008. The year-to-date return through the end of the most recent calendar quarter (December 31, ^ 2010 to March 31, ^ 2011 ) was ^ -0 . ^ 79 %. For the 30 days ended January 31, ^ 2011 , the SEC yield and SEC tax-equivalent yield (assuming a federal income tax rate of 35%) for Class A shares were 5. ^ 89 % and ^ 9 . ^ 06 %, respectively ^ , for Class B ^ and ^ Class C shares were 5. ^ 43 % and 8. ^ 35 %, respectively and for Class I shares were 6. ^ 44 % and 9. ^ 91 %, respectively. A lower tax rate would result in lower tax-equivalent yields. For current yield information call 1-800-262- ^ 1122
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
^ |
Average Annual Total Return as of December 31, ^ 2010 |
One Year | Five Years | Ten Years |
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Class A Return Before Taxes |
^ 2.45 % | ^ 1.28 % | ^ 2.91 % |
Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions |
^ 2.49 % | ^ 1.29 % | ^ 2.89 % |
Class A Return After Taxes on Distributions and the Sale of Class A Shares |
^ 0.47 % | ^ 0.29 % | ^ 3.35 % |
Class B Return Before Taxes |
^ 3.29 % | ^ 1.38 % | ^ 2.64 % |
Class C Return Before Taxes |
^ 0.55 % | ^ 1.06 % | ^ 2.64 % |
Class I Return Before Taxes |
^ 2.63 % | ^ 0.15 % | ^ 3.49 % |
Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
^ 2.38 % | ^ 4.09 % | ^ 4.83 % |
Barclays Capital High Yield Long (22+) Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) |
^ 6.70 % | ^ 0.93 % | ^ 4.41 % |
These returns reflect the maximum sales charge for Class A (4.75%) and any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class B and Class C. The Class I performance shown above for the period prior to May 9, 2007 (commencement of operations) is the performance of Class A shares at net asset value without adjustment for any differences in the expenses of the two classes. If adjusted for other expenses, returns would be different ^ . ^ Investors cannot invest directly in an Index. (Source for Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index and Barclays Capital High Yield Long (22+) Municipal Bond Index: Lipper Inc.)
After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal income tax rate and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholders tax situation and the characterization of distributions, and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders who hold shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. After-tax returns for other Classes of shares will vary from the after-tax returns presented for Class A shares. Return After Taxes on Distributions for a period may be the same as Return Before Taxes for that period because no taxable distributions were made during that period. Also, Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares for a period may be greater than or equal to Return After Taxes on Distributions for the same period because of losses realized on the sale of Fund shares.
Management
Investment Adviser. Boston Management and Research ("BMR").
Portfolio Managers
Cynthia J. Clemson, Vice President of BMR, who has managed the Fund since 2004.
Thomas M. Metzold, Vice President of BMR, who has managed the Fund since 1995.
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, Class B 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 exempt from regular federal income tax . Distributions of any net realized gains are expected to be taxable.
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 ^ website for more information.
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Investment Objective & Principal Policies and Risks
^
The Fund is permitted to engage in the following investment practices to the extent set forth in "Fund Summary" above.
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 of the Fund described in "Fund Summary" above. Information also is included about other types of investments and practices that the Fund may engage in from time to time.
Municipal Obligations. Municipal obligations include bonds, notes and commercial paper issued by a municipality, a group of municipalities or participants in qualified issues of municipal debt for a wide variety of both public and private purposes. Municipal obligations also include municipal leases and participations in municipal leases. An issuers obligation under such leases is often subject to the appropriation by a legislative body, on an annual or other basis, of funds for the payment of the obligations.
Certain municipal obligations may be purchased on a when-issued basis, which means that payment and delivery occur on a future settlement date. The price and yield of such securities are generally fixed on the date of commitment to purchase. The values of zero coupon bonds and principal only strips are subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in market interest rates than bonds ^ that pay interest currently. The Fund accrues income on these investments and is required to distribute that income each year. The Fund may be required to sell securities to obtain cash needed for income distributions.
The interest on municipal obligations is (in the opinion of the issuers counsel) exempt from regular federal income tax . Interest income from certain types of municipal obligations generally will be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (the AMT) for individuals. Distributions to corporate investors also may be subject to the AMT. The Fund may not be suitable for investors subject to the AMT.
^
Credit Quality. Rating agencies are private services that provide ratings of the credit quality of certain loans and other income securities. In evaluating creditworthiness, the investment adviser considers ratings assigned by rating agencies and generally performs additional credit and investment analysis. Credit ratings issued by rating agencies are based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the issuers financial condition and the rating agencys credit analysis, if applicable, at the time of rating. The ratings assigned are not absolute standards of credit quality and do not evaluate market risks or necessarily reflect the issuers current financial condition. An issuers current financial condition may be better or worse than the current rating indicates. A credit rating may have a modifier (such as plus, minus or a numerical modifier) to denote its relative status within the rating. The presence of a modifier does not change the securitys credit rating (meaning that BBB- and Baa3 are within the investment grade rating) for purposes of the Funds investment limitations.
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 typically 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.
^ Residual Interest Bonds . ^ Residual interest bonds are issued by a trust (the ^ " trust ^ " ) that holds municipal securities and the value of the residual interest bonds is derived from the value of such securities. The trust also issues floating rate notes to third parties that may be senior to the ^ residual interest bonds. ^ Residual interest bonds make interest payments ^ to holders that bear an inverse relationship to the interest rate paid on the floating rate notes. As required by applicable accounting standards, interest paid by the trust to the floating rate note holders may be reflected as income in the Funds financial statements with an offsetting expense for the interest paid by the trust to the floating rate note holders. While residual interest bonds ^ create leverage risk, they do not constitute borrowings for purposes of the Funds restrictions on borrowings.
^
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 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.
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Interest Rate Swaps. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g. , an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments. Interest rate swaps involve counterparty risk and the risk of imperfect correlation.
Credit Default Swaps. Credit default swap agreements ("CDS") enable the Fund to buy or sell credit protection on an individual issuer or basket of issuers (i.e., the reference instrument). The Fund may enter into CDS to gain or short exposure to a reference instrument. Long CDS positions are utilized to gain exposure to a reference instrument (similar to buying the instrument) and are akin to selling insurance on the instrument. Short CDS positions are utilized to short exposure to a reference instrument (similar to shorting the instrument) and are akin to buying insurance on the instrument. In response to market events, federal and certain state regulators have proposed regulation of the CDS market. These regulations may limit the Funds ability to use CDS and/or the benefits of CDS. CDS involve risks, including the risk that the counterparty may be unable to fulfill the transaction or that the Fund may be required to purchase securities or other instruments to meet delivery obligations. The Fund may have difficulty, be unable or may incur additional costs to acquire such securities or instruments.
Total Return Swaps. In a total return swap, the buyer receives a periodic return equal to the total return of a specified security, securities or index, for a specified period of time. In return, the buyer pays the counterparty a variable stream of payments, typically based upon short term interest rates, possibly plus or minus an agreed upon spread. These transactions involve risks, including counterparty risk.
Credit Linked Notes, Credit Options and Similar Investments. Credit linked notes are obligations between two or more parties where the payment of principal and/or interest is based on the performance of some obligation, basket of obligations, index or economic indicator (a "reference instrument"). In addition to the credit risk associated with the reference instrument and interest rate risk, the buyer and seller of a credit linked noted or similar structured investment are subject to counterparty risk. Credit options are options whereby the purchaser has the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a transaction involving either an asset with inherent credit risk or a credit derivative, at terms specified at the initiation of the option. These transactions involve risks, including counterparty risk.
Forward Rate Agreements. Under forward rate agreements, the buyer locks in an interest rate at a future settlement date. If the interest rate on the settlement date exceeds the lock rate, the buyer pays the seller the difference between the two rates. If the lock rate exceeds the interest rate on the settlement date, the seller pays the buyer the difference between the two rates. These transactions involve risks, including counterparty risk.
Maturity. Many obligations permit the issuer at its option to call, or redeem, its securities. As such, the effective maturity of an obligation may be reduced as the result of call provisions. The effective maturity of an obligation is its likely redemption date after consideration of any call or redemption features.
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 short-term municipal securities , 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 . Interest income from temporary investments may be taxable.
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 securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A thereunder. Certain Rule 144A securities may be treated as liquid securities if the investment adviser determines that such treatment is warranted. Even if determined to be liquid, holdings of these securities may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing them.
General. Unless otherwise stated, the Funds investment objective and certain other policies may be changed without shareholder approval . Shareholders will be given 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 only may be changed with shareholder approval 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
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
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 Fund s investment adviser is Boston Management and Research (BMR), a subsidiary of 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 ^ $200 billion on behalf of mutual funds, institutional clients and individuals.
The investment adviser manages the investments of the Fund. Under its investment advisory agreement with the Fund, BMR receives a monthly advisory fee equal to the aggregate of a daily asset based fee and a daily income based fee. The fees are applied on the basis of the following categories:
Annual | Daily | ||||
Category | Daily Net Assets | Asset Rate | Category | Daily Net Assets | Income Rate |
|
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1 | up to $500 million | 0. ^ 3150 % | 1 | up to $500 million | 3. ^ 1500 % |
2 | $500 million but less than $750 million | 0. ^ 2925 % | 2 | $500 million but less than $1 billion | ^ 2 . ^ 9250 % |
3 | $750 million but less than $1.5 billion | 0. ^ 2700 % | 3 | $1 billion but less than $1.5 billion | ^ 2 . ^ 7000 % |
4 | $1.5 billion but less than $2 billion | 0. ^ 2475 % | 4 | $1.5 billion but less than $2 billion | 2. ^ 4750 % |
5 | $2 billion but less than $3 billion | 0. ^ 2250 % | 5 | $2 billion but less than $3 billion | 2. ^ 2500 % |
6 | $3 billion and over | 0. ^ 2025 % | 6 | $3 billion and over | 2. ^ 0250 % |
BMR has contractually agreed to reduce the annual asset rate on net assets of $500 million or more. These contractual fee reductions are reflected in the table above. These contractual fee reductions cannot be terminated or modified without the express consent of the Funds Board of Trustees and are intended to continue indefinitely.
On January 31, ^ 2011 , the Fund had net assets of $596,666,808 . For the fiscal year ended January 31, ^ 2011 , the effective annual rate of investment advisory fee paid to BMR, based on average daily net assets of the Fund, was ^ 0.58 % .
The Funds ^ semiannual report provides information regarding the basis for the Trustees approval of the Funds investment advisory agreement.
Thomas M. Metzold and Cynthia J. Clemson co-manage the Fund. Mr. Metzold has managed or co-managed the Fund since it commenced operations. Ms. Clemson has co-managed the Fund since September 3, 2004. Each portfolio manager also manages other Eaton Vance portfolios, has been an Eaton Vance portfolio manager for more than five years and is a Vice President of Eaton Vance and BMR.
The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about each portfolio managers compensation, other accounts managed by each portfolio manager, and each portfolio managers ownership of Fund shares with respect to which that portfolio manager has management responsibilities.
Eaton Vance serves as the administrator of the Fund, providing the Fund with administrative services and related office facilities. Eaton Vance does not currently receive a fee for serving as administrator.
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 ^ for its 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 Municipals Trust II , 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 purchase price of Fund shares is their net asset value (plus a sales charge for Class A shares), which is derived from the value of Fund holdings . When purchasing or redeeming Fund shares through a financial intermediary, your financial intermediary must receive
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
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 the daily valuation of such investments. Municipal obligations owned by the Fund are normally valued on the basis of valuations furnished by a pricing service , which may use matrix pricing and valuation models to derive values . The pricing service considers various factors relating to bonds and market transactions to determine value . It is possible that the value realized on the sale of a security may be different from the value previously determined for a particular security. Financial futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded . In certain situations, the investment adviser may use the fair value of a security if market prices are unavailable or deemed unreliable. 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. The investment adviser expects to use fair value pricing for municipal obligations under limited circumstances, such as when an obligation is not priced by the pricing service or is in default. 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, Class B 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 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).
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.
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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 ^ an 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 in securities that are, among other things, thinly traded, traded infrequently or relatively illiquid (including certain municipal obligations ) 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 is 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 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 (being a purchase, including an exchange ^ purchase, followed or proceeded by a redemption, including an exchange redemption ) 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 .
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
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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 4.75% . 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 B shares are offered at net asset value with no front-end sales charge. If you sell your Class B shares within six years of purchase, you generally will be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge or CDSC. The amount of the CDSC applicable to a redemption of Class B shares decreases over six years, as described in the CDSC schedule in Contingent Deferred Sales Charge under Sales Charges below. The CDSC is deducted from your redemption proceeds. Under certain circumstances, the Class B CDSC may be waived (such as in the case of the death of the shareholder). See CDSC Waivers under Sales Charges below. Class B shares pay distribution and service fees equal to 1.00% annually of average daily net assets . Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares eight years after purchase. Orders for Class B 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 $100,000 or more. Investors considering cumulative purchases of $100,000 or more, or who, after a purchase of shares, would own shares of Eaton Vance funds with a current market value of $100,000 or more, should consider whether Class A shares would be more advantageous and consult their financial intermediary.
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 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.
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.
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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 Percentage of | |
Amount of Purchase |
Offering Price | Amount Invested | Offering Price |
|
|||
Less than $50,000 |
4.75% | 4.99% | 4.00% |
$50,000 but less than $100,000 |
4.50% | 4.71% | 3.75% |
$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** | 0.75% |
* 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. |
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 ^ 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).
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 and foundations . 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.
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Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. Class A, Class B and Class C shares are subject to a CDSC on certain redemptions. Class A shares purchased at net asset value in amounts of $ ^ 1 million 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 . Class B shares are subject to the following CDSC schedule:
Year of Redemption After Purchase |
CDSC | |
|
||
First or Second |
5% | CDSCs are based on the lower of the net asset value at the |
Third |
4% | time of purchase or at the time of redemption. Shares |
Fourth |
3% | acquired through the reinvestment of distributions are |
Fifth |
2% | exempt from the CDSC. Redemptions are made first from |
Sixth |
1% | shares that are not subject to a CDSC. |
Seventh or following |
0% |
The sales commission payable to financial intermediaries in connection with sales of Class B and 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) . The CDSC is also waived following the death of a beneficial owner of shares (a death certificate and other applicable documents may be required).
Conversion Feature. After eight years , Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares. Class B shares acquired through the reinvestment of distributions convert in proportion to shares not so acquired.
Distribution and Service Fees. Class A, Class B 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 B and 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 B and Class C shares (except exchange transactions and reinvestments) in an amount equal to 4% and 1%, respectively, 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 B and Class C shares also 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 undewriter receives the Class A distribution and service fees and the Class B and 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.
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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. | |
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. | |
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. | |
For Additional Information |
Please call 1-800-262-1122 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (eastern |
time). | |
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 and state 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.
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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. | |
Partial Reinvest | Dividends are paid in cash and capital gains are reinvested in additional shares. |
Option | |
Cash Option | Distributions are paid in cash. |
Exchange Option | 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 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 below and additionally 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.
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 month end is posted to the website approximately one month after such month end . The Fund also posts information about certain portfolio characteristics (such as top ten holdings and asset allocation) ^ at least quarterly on the Eaton Vance website approximately ten business days after the ^ period end and the ^ Fund may also post performance attribution as of a month end or more frequently if deemed appropriate .
^
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.
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".
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
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 or internet 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 declares dividends daily and ordinarily pays distributions monthly. Different Classes may distribute different dividend amounts. Your account will be credited with dividends beginning on the business day after the day when the funds used to purchase your Fund shares are collected by the transfer agent. For tax purposes, the entire monthly distribution of the Funds daily dividends ordinarily will constitute income to you exempt from higher federal income tax. Distributions of net realized gains, if any, will be made once each year (usually in December). The exemption of exempt-interest dividend income from regular federal income taxation does not necessarily result in similar exemptions of such income under state or local tax laws.
The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in securities that generate income that is not exempt from federal income tax. 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. Distributions of any taxable income and net short-term capital gains will be taxable as ordinary income. Distributions of any long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains. Distributions of interest on certain municipal obligations are a tax preference item under the AMT provisions applicable to individuals and corporations, and all tax-exempt distributions may affect a corporations AMT liability. The Funds distributions will be treated as
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
16 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
described above for federal income tax purposes whether they are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. A redemption of Fund shares, including an exchange for shares of another fund, is a taxable transaction.
Shareholders, particularly corporations, recipients of social security or railroad retirement benefits and those subject to the AMT, should consult with their advisers concerning the applicability of federal, state, local and other taxes to an investment.
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
17 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Financial Highlights
The financial highlights are intended to help you understand the Funds financial performance for the period(s) indicated. Certain information in the table reflects the financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund (assuming reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value). This information has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. The report of Deloitte & Touche LLP and the Funds financial statements are incorporated herein by reference and included in the Funds annual report, which is available upon request. ^
For the Year Ended January 31, | ||||||||
|
||||||||
2011 | 2010 | |||||||
|
||||||||
Class A | Class B | Class C | Class I | Class A | Class B | Class C | Class I | |
|
||||||||
Net asset value - Beginning of year | $ 7.900 | $7.880 | $ 7.310 | $ 7.910 | $ 6.440 | $6.430 | $ 5.970 | $ 6.440 |
Income (Loss) From Operations | ||||||||
Net investment income (1) | $ 0.472 | $0.410 | $ 0.380 | $ 0.486 | $ 0.488 | $0.432 | $ 0.401 | $ 0.505 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (0.479) | (0.477) | (0.437) | (0.474) | 1.452 | 1.448 | 1.339 | 1.461 |
Total income (loss) from operations | $ (0.007 ) | $ (0.067 ) | $ (0.057 ) | $ 0.012 | $ 1.940 | $1.880 | $ 1.740 | $ 1.966 |
Less Distributions | ||||||||
From net investment income | $ (0.483 ) | $ (0.423 ) | $ (0.393 ) | $ (0.502 ) | $ (0.480 ) | $ (0.430 ) | $ (0.400 ) | $ (0.496 ) |
Total distributions | $ (0.483 ) | $ (0.423 ) | $ (0.393 ) | $ (0.502 ) | $ (0.480 ) | $ (0.430 ) | $ (0.400 ) | $ (0.496 ) |
Net asset value - End of year | $ 7.410 | $7.390 | $ 6.860 | $ 7.420 | $ 7.900 | $7.880 | $ 7.310 | $ 7.910 |
Total Return (3) | (0.35)% | (1.09)% | (1.02)% | (0.12)% | 31.04% | 30.02% | 29.92% | 31.48% |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||||
Net assets, end of year (000s omitted) | $361,171 | $31,380 | $139,798 | $64,318 | $481,346 | $46,335 | $162,425 | $27,780 |
Ratios (As a percentage of average daily net assets): | ||||||||
Expenses excluding interest and fees |
0.99% | 1.74% | 1.73% | 0.73% | 1.00% | 1.76% | 1.75% | 0.74% |
Interest and fee expense (5) |
0.12% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.11% | 0.11% | 0.11% | 0.11% |
Total expenses before custodian fee reduction |
1.11% | 1.86% | 1.85% | 0.85% | 1.11% | 1.87% | 1.86% | 0.85% |
Expenses after custodian fee reduction |
||||||||
excluding interest and fees |
0.99% | 1.74% | 1.73% | 0.73% | 1.00% | 1.76% | 1.75% | 0.74% |
Net investment income |
5.90% | 5.14% | 5.14% | 6.10% | 6.72% | 5.99% | 5.95% | 6.66% |
Portfolio Turnover | 12% | 12% | 12% | 12% | 22% | 22% | 22% | 22% |
(See footnotes on last page.) |
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Financial Highlights (continued) ^
For the Year Ended January 31, | |||||||||||
|
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2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Class A | Class B | Class C | Class I | Class A | Class B | Class C | Class I (2) | Class A | Class B | Class C | |
|
|||||||||||
Net asset value - Beginning of period | $ 9.780 | $ 9.750 | $9.050 | $ 9.780 | $ 10.730 | $10.700 | $ 9.930 | $10.720 | $ 10.240 | $ 10.210 | $ 9.470 |
Income (Loss) From Operations | |||||||||||
Net investment income (1) | $ 0.504 | $ 0.440 | $0.408 | $ 0.520 | $ 0.490 | $ 0.412 | $ 0.382 | $0.358 | $ 0.515 | $ 0.438 | $ 0.403 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) | (3.351) | (3.336) | (3.095) | (3.345) | (0.955) | (0.956) | (0.885) | (0.923) | 0.465 | 0.463 | 0.439 |
Total income (loss) from operations | $ (2.847 ) | $ (2.896 ) | $ (2.687 ) | $(2.825 ) | $ (0.465 ) | $ (0.544 ) | $ (0.503 ) | $ (0.565 ) | $ 0.980 | $ 0.901 | $ 0.842 |
Less Distributions | |||||||||||
From net investment income | $ (0.493 ) | $ (0.424 ) | $ (0.393 ) | $(0.515 ) | $ (0.485 ) | $ (0.406 ) | $ (0.377 ) | $ (0.375 ) | $ (0.490 ) | $ (0.411 ) | $ (0.382 ) |
Total distributions | $ (0.493 ) | $ (0.424 ) | $ (0.393 ) | $(0.515 ) | $ (0.485 ) | $ (0.406 ) | $ (0.377 ) | $ (0.375 ) | $ (0.490 ) | $ (0.411 ) | $ (0.382 ) |
Net asset value - End of period | $ 6.440 | $ 6.430 | $5.970 | $ 6.440 | $ 9.780 | $ 9.750 | $ 9.050 | $9.780 | $ 10.730 | $ 10.700 | $ 9.930 |
Total Return (3) | (29.94)% | (30.42)% | (30.40)% | (29.75)% | (4.47)% | (5.20)% | (5.19)% | (5.33)% (8) | 9.76% | 8.97% | 9.03% |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |||||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | $407,816 | $46,123 | $123,933 | $ 3,442 | $788,563 | $92,895 | $244,680 | $2,060 | $876,579 | $126,916 | $265,002 |
Ratios (As a percentage of average daily net assets): | |||||||||||
Expenses excluding interest and fees |
0.97% | 1.72% | 1.72% | 0.71% | 0.86% (4) | 1.61% (4) | 1.61% (4) | 0.61% (6) | 0.89% | 1.64% | 1.64% |
Interest and fee expense (5) |
0.35% | 0.35% | 0.35% | 0.35% | 0.52% | 0.52% | 0.52% | 0.52% (6) | 0.52% | 0.52% | 0.52% |
Total expenses before custodian fee reduction |
1.32% | 2.07% | 2.07% | 1.06% | 1.38% (4) | 2.13% (4) | 2.13% (4) | 1.13% (6) | 1.41% | 2.16% | 2.16% |
Expenses after custodian fee reduction |
|||||||||||
excluding interest and fees |
0.96% | 1.71% | 1.71% | 0.70% | 0.85 (4) | 1.60% (4) | 1.60% (4) | 0.60% (6) | 0.87% | 1.62% | 1.62% |
Net investment income |
5.97% | 5.23% | 5.23% | 6.57% | 4.74% | 4.00% | 3.99% | 4.94% (6) | 4.88% | 4.17% | 4.13% |
Portfolio Turnover | 35% | 35% | 35% | 35% | 43% | 43% | 43% | 43% (7) | 44% | 44% | 44% |
(1) | Computed using average shares outstanding. |
(2) | For the period from the start of business, May 9, 2007, to January 31, 2008. |
(3) | Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges , if applicable . |
(4) | The investment adviser was allocated a portion of the Funds operating expenses (equal to less than 0.005% of average daily net assets for the year ended January 31, 2008). Absent this allocation, total return would be lower. |
(5) | Interest and fee expense primarily relates to the liability for floating rate notes issued in conjunction with inverse floater securities transactions (see Note 1I to the Funds audited financial statements). |
(6) | Annualized. |
(7) | For the year ended January 31, 2008. |
(8) | Not annualized. |
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 is available in the annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Funds performance during the past fiscal year. You may obtain free copies of the Statement of Additional Information and the shareholder reports on Eaton Vances website at www.eatonvance.com or by contacting the principal underwriter:
Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.
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 ^ website ( ^ 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 Investment ^ Servicing (US) Inc . If you own shares and would like to add to, redeem or change your account, please write or call below:
Regular Mailing | Overnight Mailing | Phone Number: |
Address: | Address: | 1-800-262-1122 |
Eaton Vance Funds | Eaton Vance Funds | Monday - Friday |
P.O. Box 9653 | ^ | 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. ET |
Providence, RI 02940- 9653 | 4400 Computer | |
Drive | ||
^ Westboro , ^ MA ^ 01581 |
The Funds Investment Company Act No. is 811-08134. | HYP |
519-6/ 11 | © ^ 2011 Eaton Vance Management |
^ |
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies
Short Term
Fund
Class A Shares - EABSX Class C Shares - ECBSX Class I Shares - EIBSX Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Intermediate Term Fund Class A Shares - ^ EITAX Class C Shares - ^ EITCX Class I Shares - ^ ETIIX Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Long Term Fund Class A Shares - EALTX Class C Shares - ECLTX Class I Shares - EILTX |
^ Diversified funds seeking after-tax total return |
^
Prospectus Dated ^ June 1, 2011 |
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. |
^ |
This Prospectus contains important information about the
^
Funds
and the services
available to shareholders. Please save it for reference.
Table of Contents | |
Fund Summaries | 3 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Short Term Fund | 3 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Intermediate Term Fund | 7 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Long Term Fund | 10 |
Important Information Regarding Fund Shares | 13 |
Investment Objectives & Principal Policies and Risks | 14 |
Management and Organization | 16 |
Related Performance Information | 17 |
Valuing Shares | 18 |
Purchasing Shares | 18 |
Sales Charges | 21 |
Redeeming Shares | 23 |
Shareholder Account Features | 24 |
Additional Tax Information | 25 |
Financial Highlights | 27 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Short Term Fund | 27 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Intermediate Term Fund | 28 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Long Term Fund | 29 |
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
2 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Fund Summaries
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Short Term Fund
Investment Objective
The Funds investment objective is to seek after-tax 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 $100,000 in Eaton Vance Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in Sales Charges on page ^ 21 of this Prospectus and page ^ 24 of the Funds Statement of Additional Information.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) | Class A | Class C | Class I |
|
|||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of offering price) | 2.25% | None | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of net asset value at 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 |
|
|||
Management Fees | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.55% |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | n/a |
Other Expenses^ | ^0.10% | ^0.09% | ^0.10% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.90% | ^1.64% | 0.65% |
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 | |||||||
|
||||||||
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
|
||||||||
Class A shares | $315 | $ ^ 506 | $ ^ 712 | $1, ^ 308 | $315 | $ ^ 506 | $ ^ 712 | $1, ^ 308 |
Class C shares | $ ^ 267 | $ ^ 517 | $ ^ 892 | $ ^ 1 , 944 | $ ^ 167 | $ ^ 517 | $ ^ 892 | $ ^ 1 , 944 |
Class I shares | $66 | $ ^ 208 | $ ^ 362 | $ ^ 810 | $66 | $ ^ 208 | $ ^ 362 | $ ^ 810 |
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 ^ . During the most recent fiscal year, the Funds portfolio turnover rate was 107% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
Under normal market circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in a diversified portfolio of municipal obligations that are exempt from regular federal income tax ( ^ "Municipal Securities"), municipal obligations that are not exempt from regular federal income tax ("Taxable Municipal Securities ^ " ), direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury ("Treasury Securities") and/or obligations of U.S. Government agencies, instrumentalities and government-sponsored enterprises ("Agency Securities") (the "80% Policy"). ^ Taxable Municipal Securities include obligations issued pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("the Act") or other legislation providing for the issuance of taxable municipal debt on which the issuer receives federal support (any bonds so issued are considered ^ " Build America Bonds ^ " ). ^ When investing in Build America Bonds the Fund expects to invest in direct pay Build America Bonds and ^ principal only ^ strips of tax credit Build America Bonds. Provisions of the Act relevant to the issuance of Build America Bonds expired on December 31, 2010 and, as such, issuance has ceased. The Fund normally invests in Municipal Securities and Taxable Municipal Securities rated in the two highest rating categories (those rated AA or ^ higher by Standard & Poors Ratings Group ("S&P") or Fitch Ratings ("Fitch") or Aa or higher by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. ("Moodys")) or, if unrated, determined by the investment adviser to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase, but may also invest up to ^ 30 % of its net assets in Municipal Securities or Taxable Municipal Securities rated A at the time of purchase by S&P, Fitch or Moodys or, if unrated, determined by the investment adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund may continue to hold
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
3 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
securities that are downgraded (including bonds downgraded to below investment grade credit quality, i.e. "junk bonds") if the investment adviser believes it would be advantageous to do so. The Fund will not invest in a Municipal Security the interest on which the Funds investment adviser believes is subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. For its investment in Municipal Securities, the Fund invests primarily in general obligation or revenue bonds. The Fund currently targets an average portfolio duration of approximately ^ 2 - 4.5 years and an average weighted maturity of approximately ^ 3 - 6 years but may invest in securities of any maturity or duration, and may in the future alter its maturity or duration target range. The Fund may use various techniques to shorten or lengthen its dollar weighted average duration, including the acquisition of municipal obligations at a premium or discount. The Fund may also invest in cash and cash equivalents.
In implementing the Funds investment strategy, the portfolio ^ managers will identify certain benchmark ratios that the ^ managers believe represent efficient pricing of Municipal Securities in relation to Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities with similar durations. Such ratios are primarily a function of the respective yields of Municipal, Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities. When the prices of Municipal Securities deviate from such benchmark ratios, the portfolio manager may deem such securities to be overvalued or undervalued in relation to Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities, depending on the nature of the price deviation, and may adjust the Funds asset mix among Municipal, Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities as deemed consistent with the Funds investment objective. The Funds Municipal/Taxable Municipal/ Treasury/Agency cross-over strategy is primarily quantitatively driven and generally will be implemented when pricing ratios so dictate, subject to market conditions and the ability to execute transactions in sufficient volume and at desired prices. Execution of the cross-over strategy may be affected if it is anticipated that there will be changes in tax rates or regulations governing ^ Municipal Securities such that a change in relative yield relationships is likely, thereby causing a change in benchmark trading ratios. Allocation decisions will generally be influenced by a tax requirement that at least 50% of the Funds total assets be invested in Municipal Securities as of the end of each fiscal quarter in order to pass tax-exempt income to Fund shareholders. The portfolio managers generally will seek to enhance after-tax total return by actively engaging in relative value trading within the portfolio to take advantage of price appreciation opportunities in the markets for Municipal, Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities.
The investment advisers process for selecting Municipal Securities for purchase and sale generally includes consideration of the creditworthiness of the issuer or person obligated to repay the obligation. In evaluating creditworthiness, the investment adviser considers ratings assigned by rating agencies and generally performs additional credit and investment analysis.
Principal Risks
Municipal Bond Market Risk. The amount of public information available about municipal bonds is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds and the investment performance of the Fund may be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the investment adviser than would be the case for a stock fund or corporate bond fund. The secondary market for municipal bonds also tends to be less well-developed and less liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Funds ability to sell its bonds at attractive prices. In addition, municipal obligations can experience downturns in trading activity and the supply of municipal obligations may exceed the demand in the market. During such periods, the spread can widen between the price at which an obligation can be purchased and the price at which it can be sold. Less liquid obligations can become more difficult to value and be subject to erratic price movements. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for certain investments or for investments generally, which may reduce market prices and cause the value of Fund shares to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes cannot be predicted. The increased presence of non-traditional participants or the absence of traditional participants in the municipal markets may lead to greater volatility in the markets.
Risk of U.S. Government-Sponsored Agencies. While certain U.S. Government-sponsored agencies (such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and ^ Fannie Mae ) may be chartered or sponsored by acts of Congress, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Interest Rate Risk. As interest rates rise, the value of Fund shares is likely to decline. Conversely, when interest rates decline, the value of Fund shares is likely to rise. Obligations with longer maturities typically offer higher yields, but involve greater risk because the prices of such obligations are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than obligations with shorter maturities. In a declining interest rate environment, prepayments of obligations may increase if the issuer has the ability to pre-pay or "call" the obligation. In such circumstances, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds at lower yields.
Credit Risk. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances may reduce the capacity of issuers of fixed income securities to make principal and interest payments and may lead to defaults. Such defaults may reduce the value of Fund shares and income distributions. The value of a fixed income security also may decline because of real or perceived concerns about the issuers ability to make principal and interest payments. In addition, the credit rating of securities held by the Fund may be lowered if an issuers financial condition changes. Municipal obligations may be insured as to principal and interest payments. If the claims-paying ability or other rating of the insurer is downgraded by a rating agency, the value of such obligations may be negatively affected. In the case of an insured bond, the bonds rating will be deemed to be the higher of the rating assigned to the bonds issuer or the insurer.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
4 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
^
Risk Associated with Limited Issuance. Under the Act the ability of municipalities to issue Build America Bonds expired on December 31, 2010 and there can be no certainty as to whether future legislation will be enacted that would again permit such issuance. Since the enactment of the Act, approximately $180 billion in Build America Bonds has been issued by municipalities. Given the limited issuance of Build America Bonds, they may not be actively traded. In addition, illiquidity may negatively affect the value of the bonds.
Risks of Principal Only Investments. Principal only investments entitle the holder to receive par value of such investment if held to maturity. The values of principal only investments are subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in market interest rates than bonds which pay interest currently. The Fund will accrue income on these investments and is required to distribute that income each year. The Fund may be required to sell securities to obtain cash needed for such income distributions.
Tax Risk. Income from tax-exempt municipal obligations could be declared taxable because of unfavorable changes in tax laws, adverse interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service, or non-compliant conduct of a bond issuer.
Risks Associated with Quantitative Management. The Fund relies on its investment adviser to achieve its investment objective. The investment 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. The Fund's strategy is highly dependent on quantitatively-based pricing theories and valuation models that generally have not been independently tested or otherwise reviewed.
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 ^ Annual Fund Operating Expenses expressed as a percentage of ^ the Funds 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 investment objective. Investors in the Fund should have a long-term investment perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. 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. ^
Performance
The following bar chart and table provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing changes in the Funds performance from year to year and how the Funds average annual returns over time compare with those of two broad-based municipal securities market indices. The returns in the bar chart are for Class I shares and do not reflect a sales charge. If the sales charge was reflected, the returns would be lower. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The Fund commenced operations on March 27, 2009 and is the successor to the operations of a private limited partnership (the "Predecessor Account"). The Predecessor Account was managed by Eaton Vance and had substantially the same investment objective, policies and strategies as the Fund. However, the Predecessor Account was not a mutual fund registered under the Investment Company of 1940 (the 1940 Act) or a regulated investment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code), and therefore the Predecessor Account was not subject to investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and/or the Code. If such requirements were applicable to the Predecessor Account, the performance shown may have been adversely affected.
The performance of each Class for the period prior March 27, 2009 is that of the Predecessor Account. The performance of the Predecessor Account has been adjusted to reflect any applicable sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge but is not otherwise adjusted to reflect differences in the expenses between the Predecessor Account and each Class. If such an adjustment were made, performance would be different. The Funds performance after March 27, 2009 reflects the effects of expense reductions. Absent these reductions, performance would have been lower. Updated Fund performance information can be obtained by visiting www.eatonvance.com ^ .
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
During the ten years ended December 31, ^ 2010 , the highest quarterly total return for the Predecessor Account was 5.03% for the quarter ended December 31, 2008, and the lowest quarterly return for the Fund was 1. ^ 88 % for the quarter ended ^ December 31 , ^ 2010 . The year-to-date return through the end of the most recent calendar quarter (December 31, ^ 2010 to March 31, ^ 2011 ) was 0. ^ 27 % ^ .
Average Annual Total Return as of December 31, 2010 | One Year | Five Years | Ten Years |
|
|||
Class A Return Before Taxes | ^0.43% | ^3.98% | ^4.35% |
Class C Return Before Taxes | ^0.93% | ^4.18% | ^4.46% |
Class I Return Before Taxes | ^3.05% | ^4.55% | ^4.64% |
Class I Return After Taxes on Distributions | ^2.67% | ^ n/a | ^ n/a |
Class I Return After Taxes on Distributions and the Sale of Class I Shares | ^2.40% | ^ n/a | ^ n/a |
Barclays Capital 5 Year Municipal Bond Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | ^3.40% | ^5.00% | ^4.81% |
Barclays Capital Municipal Managed Money 1-7 Year Maturities Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | ^2.79% | ^4.67% | ^4.52% |
These returns reflect the maximum sales charge for Class A (2.25%) and any applicable contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) for Class C. The performance shown above for each Class for the period prior to March 27, 2009 (commencement of operations) is that of the Predecessor Account adjusted to reflect any applicable sales charge of the Class but not adjusted for any other differences in expenses. If adjusted for other expenses, returns would be different. Investors cannot invest directly in an Index. (Source for the Barclays Capital ^ 5 Year Municipal Bond Index returns: Lipper, Inc. Source for Barclays Capital Municipal Managed Money 1-7 Year Maturities Index: Barclays Capital, Inc.)
^
After-Tax Return for the year ended December 31, 2010 is calculated using the highest historical individual federal income tax rates and does not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholders tax situation and the actual characterization of distributions, and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders who hold shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. Return After Taxes on Distributions for a period may be the same as Return Before Taxes for that period because no taxable distributions were made during that period. Also, Return After Taxes on distributions and Sale of Fund Shares for a period may be greater than or equal to Return After Taxes on Distributions for the same period because of losses realized on the sale of Fund shares. After-Tax Returns are not shown for the Five Years and Ten Years ending December 31, 2010 because the Predecessor Account, unlike a registered investment company, was not required to make annual income distributions to its investors.
Management
Investment Adviser. Eaton Vance Management ("Eaton Vance").
Portfolio Managers
James H. Evans, Vice President of Eaton Vance and Lead Portfolio Manager, has managed the Fund since it commenced operations in 2009.
Brian C. Barney, Vice President of Eaton Vance, has co-managed the Fund since 2010.
Brian D. Clouser, Vice President of Eaton Vance, has co-managed the Fund since 2010.
For important information about purchase and sale of shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Important Information Regarding Fund Shares on page 13 of this Prospectus.
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Intermediate Term Fund
Investment Objective
The Funds investment objective is to seek after-tax total return.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares. You may qualify for a reduced sales charge if you invest, or agree to invest over a 13-month period, at least $100,000 in Eaton Vance Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial intermediary and in Sales Charges beginning on page 21 of this Prospectus and page 24 of the Funds Statement of Additional Information.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) | Class A | Class C | Class I |
|
|||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of offering price) | 2.25% | None | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of net asset value at 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 |
|
|||
Management Fees | 0.60% | 0.60% | 0.60% |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | n/a |
Other Expenses | ^0.78% | ^0.78% | ^0.78% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | ^1.63% | ^2.38% | ^1.38% |
Expense Reimbursement (1) | ^(0.68)% | ^(0.68)% | ^(0.68)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement | 0.95% | 1.70% | 0.70% |
(1) | The investment adviser and administrator have agreed to reimburse the Funds expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed 0.95% for Class A, 1.70% for Class C and 0.70% for Class I. This expense reimbursement will continue through May 31, 2013. Any amendments or a termination of this reimbursement would require written approval of the Board of Trustees. The expense reimbursement relates to ordinary operating expenses only and does not include expenses such as: brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expenses, taxes or litigation expenses. Amounts reimbursed may be subject to recoupment during the Funds current fiscal year to the extent actual expenses are less than the contractual expense cap during such year. |
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 | |||||||
|
||||||||
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
|
||||||||
Class A shares | $320 | ^$594 | $ 962 | $1,999 | $320 | ^$594 | $ 962 | $1,999 |
Class C shares | $273 | ^$609 | $1,144 | $2,609 | $173 | ^$609 | $1,144 | $2,609 |
Class I shares | $72 | ^$299 | $ 621 | $1,535 | $72 | ^$299 | $ 621 | $1,535 |
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. During the most recent fiscal year, the Funds portfolio turnover rate was 202% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets in a diversified portfolio of municipal obligations that are exempt from regular federal income tax (Municipal Securities), municipal obligations that are not exempt from regular federal income tax ("Taxable Municipal Securities"), direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury ("Treasury Securities") and/or obligations of U.S. Government agencies, instrumentalities and government-sponsored enterprises ("Agency Securities") (the "80% Policy"). Taxable Municipal Securities include obligations issued pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("the Act") or other legislation providing for the issuance of taxable municipal debt on which the issuer receives federal support (any bonds so issued are considered Build America Bonds). When investing in Build America Bonds, the Fund expects to invest in direct pay Build America Bonds and "principal only" strips of tax credit Build America Bonds. Provisions of the Act relevant to the issuance of Build America Bonds expired on December 31, 2010 and, as such, issuance has ceased. The Fund normally invests in Municipal
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Securities and Taxable Municipal Securities rated in the two highest rating categories (which are those rated AA or higher by Standard & Poors Ratings Group ("S&P") or Fitch Ratings ("Fitch") or Aa or higher by Moodys investors Service, Inc. ("Moodys")) or, if unrated, determined by the investment adviser to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase, but may also invest up to 30% of its net assets in Municipal Securities or Taxable Municipal Securities rated A at the time of purchase by S&P, Fitch or Moodys or, if unrated, determined by the investment adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund may continue to hold securities that are downgraded (including bonds downgraded to below investment grade credit quality, i.e. "junk bonds") if the investment adviser believes it would be advantageous to do so. The Fund will not invest in a Municipal Security the interest on which the Funds investment adviser believes is subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. For its investment in Municipal Securities, the Fund invests primarily in general obligation or revenue bonds. The Fund currently targets an average portfolio duration of approximately 5 - 7 years and an average weighted maturity of approximately 5 - 13 years, but may invest in securities of any maturity or duration, and may in the future alter its maturity or duration target range. The Fund may use various techniques to shorten or lengthen its dollar weighted average duration, including the acquisition of municipal obligations at a premium or discount. The Fund may also invest in cash and cash equivalents.
In implementing the Funds investment strategy, the portfolio managers will identify certain benchmark ratios that the managers believe represent efficient pricing of Municipal Securities in relation to Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities with similar durations. Such ratios are primarily a function of the respective yields of Municipal, Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities. When the prices of Municipal Securities deviate from such benchmark ratios, the portfolio managers may deem such securities to be overvalued or undervalued in relation to Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities, depending on the nature of the price deviation, and may adjust the Funds asset mix among Municipal, Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities as deemed consistent with the Funds investment objective. The Funds Municipal/Taxable Municipal/Treasury/Agency cross-over strategy is primarily quantitatively driven and generally will be implemented when pricing ratios so dictate, subject to market conditions and the ability to execute transactions in sufficient volume and at desired prices. Execution of the cross-over strategy may be affected if it is anticipated that there will be changes in tax rates or regulations governing Municipal Securities such that a change in relative yield relationships is likely, thereby causing a change in benchmark trading ratios. Allocation decisions will generally be influenced by a tax requirement that at least 50% of the Funds total assets be invested in Municipal Securities as of the end of each fiscal quarter in order to pass tax-exempt income to Fund shareholders. The portfolio managers generally will seek to enhance after-tax total return by actively engaging in relative value trading within the portfolio to take advantage of price appreciation opportunities in the markets for Municipal, Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities.
The investment advisers process for selecting Municipal Securities for purchase and sale also generally includes consideration of the creditworthiness of the issuer or other person obligated to repay the obligation. The investment adviser will consider ratings when making investment decisions and it performs its own credit and investment analysis while not relying exclusively on the ratings assigned by the rating services.
Principal Risks
Municipal Bond Market Risk. The amount of public information available about municipal bonds is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds and the investment performance of the Fund may be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the investment adviser than would be the case for a stock fund or corporate bond fund. The secondary market for municipal bonds also tends to be less well-developed and less liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Funds ability to sell its bonds at attractive prices. In addition, municipal obligations can experience downturns in trading activity and the supply of municipal obligations may exceed the demand in the market. During such periods, the spread can widen between the price at which an obligation can be purchased and the price at which it can be sold. Less liquid obligations can become more difficult to value and be subject to erratic price movements. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for certain investments or for investments generally, which may reduce market prices and cause the value of Fund shares to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes cannot be predicted. The increased presence of non-traditional participants or the absence of traditional participants in the municipal markets may lead to greater volatility in the markets.
Risk of U.S. Government-Sponsored Agencies. While certain U.S. Government-sponsored agencies (such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and Fannie Mae) may be chartered or sponsored by acts of Congress, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Interest Rate Risk. As interest rates rise, the value of Fund shares is likely to decline. Conversely, when interest rates decline, the value of Fund shares is likely to rise. Obligations with longer maturities typically offer higher yields, but involve greater risk because the prices of such obligations are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than obligations with shorter maturities. In a declining interest rate environment, prepayments of obligations may increase if the issuer has the ability to pre-pay or "call" the obligation. In such circumstances, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds at lower yields.
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Credit Risk. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances may reduce the capacity of issuers of fixed income securities to make principal and interest payments and may lead to defaults. Such defaults may reduce the value of Fund shares and income distributions. The value of a fixed income security also may decline because of real or perceived concerns about the issuers ability to make principal and interest payments. In addition, the credit rating of securities held by the Fund may be lowered if an issuers financial condition changes. Municipal obligations may be insured as to principal and interest payments. If the claims-paying ability or other rating of the insurer is downgraded by a rating agency, the value of such obligations may be negatively affected. In the case of an insured bond, the bonds rating will be deemed to be the higher of the rating assigned to the bonds issuer or the insurer.
Risk Associated with Limited Issuance. Under the Act the ability of municipalities to issue Build America Bonds expired on December 31, 2010 and there can be no certainty as to whether future legislation will be enacted that would again permit such issuance. Since the enactment of the Act, approximately $180 billion in Build America Bonds has been issued by municipalities. Given the limited issuance of Build America Bonds, they may not be actively traded. In addition, illiquidity may negatively affect the value of the bonds.
Risks of Principal Only Investments. Principal only investments entitle the holder to receive par value of such investment if held to maturity. The values of principal only investments are subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in market interest rates than bonds which pay interest currently. The Fund will accrue income on these investments and is required to distribute that income each year. The Fund may be required to sell securities to obtain cash needed for such income distributions.
Tax Risk. Income from tax-exempt municipal obligations could be declared taxable because of unfavorable changes in tax laws, adverse interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service, or non-compliant conduct of a bond issuer.
Risks Associated with Quantitative Management. The Fund relies on its investment adviser to achieve its investment objective. The investment 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. The Fund's strategy is highly dependent on quantitatively-based pricing theories and valuation models that generally have not been independently tested or otherwise reviewed.
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 Annual Fund Operating Expenses expressed as a percentage of the Funds 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 investment objective. Investors in the Fund should have a long-term investment perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. 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.
Performance
Performance history will be available for the Fund after the Fund has been in operation for one calendar year.
Management
Investment Adviser. Eaton Vance Management ("Eaton Vance").
Portfolio Managers
James H. Evans, Vice President of Eaton Vance and Lead Portfolio Manager, has managed the Fund since it commenced operations in 2010.
Brian C. Barney, Vice President of Eaton Vance, has co-managed the Fund since 2010.
Christopher J. Harshman, Vice President of Eaton Vance, has co-managed the Fund since 2010.
For important information about purchase and sale of shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Important Information Regarding Fund Shares on page 13 of this Prospectus.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
9 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Long Term Fund
Investment Objective
The Funds investment objective is to seek after-tax total return.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
The following tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares. 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 21 of this Prospectus and page 24 of the Funds Statement of Additional Information.
Shareholder Fees (fees paid directly from your investment) | Class A | Class C | Class I |
|
|||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of offering price) | 4.75% | None | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of net asset value at 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 |
|
|||
Management Fees | 0.60% | 0.60% | 0.60% |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | n/a |
Other Expenses | ^7.27% | ^7.27% | ^7.27% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | ^8.12% | ^8.87% | ^7.87% |
Expense Reimbursement (1) | ^(7.17)% | ^(7.17)% | ^(7.17)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Expense Reimbursement | 0.95% | 1.70% | 0.70% |
(1) | The investment adviser and administrator have agreed to reimburse the Funds expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses exceed 0.95% for Class A shares, 1.70% for Class C shares and 0.70% for Class I shares. This expense reimbursement will continue through May 31, 2013. Any amendments or a termination of this reimbursement would require written approval of the Board of Trustees. The expense reimbursement relates to ordinary operating expenses only and does not include expenses such as: brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, interest expenses, taxes or litigation expenses. Amounts reimbursed may be subject to recoupment during the Funds current fiscal year to the extent actual expenses are less than the contractual expense cap during such year. |
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 | |||||||
|
||||||||
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | 1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
|
||||||||
Class A shares | $567 | ^$1,488 | $3,060 | $6,581 | $567 | ^$1,488 | $3,060 | $6,581 |
Class C shares | $273 | ^$1,280 | $3,030 | $6,845 | $173 | ^$1,280 | $3,030 | $6,845 |
Class I shares | $72 | ^$990 | $2,606 | $6,256 | $72 | ^$990 | $2,606 | $6,256 |
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. During the most recent fiscal year, the Funds portfolio turnover rate was 200% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund normally invests at least 80% of its net assets in a diversified portfolio of municipal obligations that are exempt from regular federal income tax ("Municipal Securities"), municipal obligations that are not exempt from regular federal income tax ("Taxable Municipal Securities"), direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury ("Treasury Securities") and/or obligations of U.S. Government agencies, instrumentalities and government-sponsored enterprises ("Agency Securities") (the "80% Policy"). Taxable Municipal Securities include obligations issued pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ("the Act") or other legislation providing for the issuance of taxable municipal debt on which the issuer receives federal support (any bonds so issued are considered Build America Bonds). When investing in Build America Bonds the Fund expects to invest in direct pay Build America Bonds and "principal only" strips of tax credit Build America Bonds. Provisions of the Act relevant to the issuance of Build
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
10 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
America Bonds expired on December 31, 2010 and, as such, issuance has ceased. The Fund normally invests in Municipal Securities and Taxable Municipal Securities rated in the two highest rating categories (which are those rated AA or higher by Standard & Poors Ratings Group ("S&P") or Fitch Ratings ("Fitch") or Aa or higher by Moodys investors Service, Inc. ("Moodys")) or, if unrated, determined by the investment adviser to be of comparable quality at the time of purchase, but may also invest up to 30% of its net assets in Municipal Securities or Taxable Municipal Securities rated A at the time of purchase by S&P, Fitch or Moodys or, if unrated, determined by the investment adviser to be of comparable quality. The Fund may continue to hold securities that are downgraded (including bonds downgraded to below investment grade credit quality, i.e. "junk bonds") if the investment adviser believes it would be advantageous to do so. The Fund will not invest in a Municipal Security the interest on which the Funds investment adviser believes is subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. For its investment in Municipal Securities, the Fund invests primarily in general obligation or revenue bonds. The Fund currently targets an average portfolio duration of approximately 7-10 years and an average weighted maturity of over 8 years, but may invest in securities of any maturity or duration, and may in the future alter its maturity or duration target range. The Fund may use various techniques to shorten or lengthen its dollar weighted average duration, including the acquisition of municipal obligations at a premium or discount. The Fund may also invest in cash and cash equivalents.
In implementing the Funds investment strategy, the portfolio managers will identify certain benchmark ratios that the managers believe represent efficient pricing of Municipal Securities in relation to Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities with similar durations. Such ratios are primarily a function of the respective yields of Municipal, Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities. When the prices of Municipal Securities deviate from such benchmark ratios, the portfolio managers may deem such securities to be overvalued or undervalued in relation to Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities, depending on the nature of the price deviation, and may adjust the Funds asset mix among Municipal, Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities as deemed consistent with the Funds investment objective. The Funds Municipal/Taxable Municipal/Treasury/Agency cross-over strategy is primarily quantitatively driven and generally will be implemented when pricing ratios so dictate, subject to market conditions and the ability to execute transactions in sufficient volume and at desired prices. Execution of the cross-over strategy may be affected if it is anticipated that there will be changes in tax rates or regulations governing Municipal Securities such that a change in relative yield relationships is likely, thereby causing a change in benchmark trading ratios. Allocation decisions will generally be influenced by a tax requirement that at least 50% of the Funds total assets be invested in Municipal Securities as of the end of each fiscal quarter in order to pass tax-exempt income to Fund shareholders. The portfolio managers generally will seek to enhance after-tax total return by actively engaging in relative value trading within the portfolio to take advantage of price appreciation opportunities in the markets for Municipal, Taxable Municipal, Treasury and Agency Securities.
The investment advisers process for selecting Municipal Securities for purchase and sale also generally includes consideration of the creditworthiness of the issuer or other person obligated to repay the obligation. The investment adviser will consider ratings when making investment decisions and it performs its own credit and investment analysis while not relying exclusively on the ratings assigned by the rating services.
Principal Risks
Municipal Bond Market Risk. The amount of public information available about municipal bonds is generally less than that for corporate equities or bonds and the investment performance of the Fund may be more dependent on the analytical abilities of the investment adviser than would be the case for a stock fund or corporate bond fund. The secondary market for municipal bonds also tends to be less well-developed and less liquid than many other securities markets, which may adversely affect the Funds ability to sell its bonds at attractive prices. In addition, municipal obligations can experience downturns in trading activity and the supply of municipal obligations may exceed the demand in the market. During such periods, the spread can widen between the price at which an obligation can be purchased and the price at which it can be sold. Less liquid obligations can become more difficult to value and be subject to erratic price movements. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for certain investments or for investments generally, which may reduce market prices and cause the value of Fund shares to fall. The frequency and magnitude of such changes cannot be predicted. The increased presence of non-traditional participants or the absence of traditional participants in the municipal markets may lead to greater volatility in the markets.
Risk of U.S. Government-Sponsored Agencies. While certain U.S. Government-sponsored agencies (such as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation and Fannie Mae) may be chartered or sponsored by acts of Congress, their securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury.
Interest Rate Risk. As interest rates rise, the value of Fund shares is likely to decline. Conversely, when interest rates decline, the value of Fund shares is likely to rise. Obligations with longer maturities typically offer higher yields, but involve greater risk because the prices of such obligations are more sensitive to changes in interest rates than obligations with shorter maturities. In a declining interest rate environment, prepayments of obligations may increase if the issuer has the ability to pre-pay or "call" the obligation. In such circumstances, the Fund may have to reinvest the prepayment proceeds at lower yields.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
11 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Credit Risk. Changes in economic conditions or other circumstances may reduce the capacity of issuers of fixed income securities to make principal and interest payments and may lead to defaults. Such defaults may reduce the value of Fund shares and income distributions. The value of a fixed income security also may decline because of real or perceived concerns about the issuers ability to make principal and interest payments. In addition, the credit rating of securities held by the Fund may be lowered if an issuers financial condition changes. Municipal obligations may be insured as to principal and interest payments. If the claims-paying ability or other rating of the insurer is downgraded by a rating agency, the value of such obligations may be negatively affected. In the case of an insured bond, the bonds rating will be deemed to be the higher of the rating assigned to the bonds issuer or the insurer.
Risk Associated with Limited Issuance. Under the Act the ability of municipalities to issue Build America Bonds expired on December 31, 2010 and there can be no certainty as to whether future legislation will be enacted that would again permit such issuance. Since the enactment of the Act, approximately $180 billion in Build America Bonds has been issued by municipalities. Given the limited issuance of Build America Bonds, they may not be actively traded. In addition, illiquidity may negatively affect the value of the bonds.
Risks of Principal Only Investments. Principal only investments entitle the holder to receive par value of such investment if held to maturity. The values of principal only investments are subject to greater fluctuation in response to changes in market interest rates than bonds which pay interest currently. The Fund will accrue income on these investments and is required to distribute that income each year. The Fund may be required to sell securities to obtain cash needed for such income distributions.
Tax Risk. Income from tax-exempt municipal obligations could be declared taxable because of unfavorable changes in tax laws, adverse interpretations by the Internal Revenue Service, or non-compliant conduct of a bond issuer.
Risks Associated with Quantitative Management. The Fund relies on its investment adviser to achieve its investment objective. The investment 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. The Fund's strategy is highly dependent on quantitatively-based pricing theories and valuation models that generally have not been independently tested or otherwise reviewed.
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 Annual Fund Operating Expenses expressed as a percentage of the Funds 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 investment objective. Investors in the Fund should have a long-term investment perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. 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.
Performance
Performance history will be available for the Fund after the Fund has been in operation for one calendar year.
Management
Investment Adviser. Eaton Vance Management (" ^ Eaton Vance ").
Portfolio Managers ^
James H. Evans, Vice President of ^ Eaton Vance and Lead Portfolio Manager, has managed the Fund since it commenced operations in ^ 2010 .
^ Joseph M . ^ Davolio , Vice President of ^ Eaton Vance , has co-managed the Fund since 2010.
^ Christopher J . ^ Harshman , Vice President of ^ Eaton Vance , has co-managed the Fund since 2010.
For important information about purchase and sale of shares, taxes and financial intermediary compensation, please turn to Important Information Regarding Fund Shares on page 13 of this Prospectus.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
12 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Important Information Regarding Fund Shares
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 ^ a 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
A substantial portion of the Funds distributions are expected to be exempt from federal income taxes. However, the Fund may also distribute taxable income to the extent that it invests in Taxable Municipal, Treasury or Agency Securities. Distributions of any net realized gains are expected to be taxed as ordinary income and/or capital gains.
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"), a 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 a Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediarys ^ website for more information.
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Investment ^ Objectives & Principal Policies and Risks
^
Each Fund is permitted to engage in the following investment practices to the extent set forth in "Fund Summaries" above. References to the "Fund" below are to each Fund, as applicable.
A statement of the investment objective and principal investment policies and risks of the Fund is set forth above in "Fund Summaries." Set forth below is additional information about such policies and risks of the Fund described in "Fund Summaries" above. Information also is included about other types of investments and practices that the Fund may engage in from time to time.
Municipal Obligations. Municipal obligations include bonds, notes and commercial paper issued by a municipality, a group of municipalities or participants in qualified issues of municipal debt for a wide variety of both public and private purposes. General obligation bonds are secured by the issuers faith and credit, as well as its taxing power, for payment of principal and interest. Revenue bonds, however, are generally secured by the net revenues derived from a particular facility or group of facilities. Municipal securities also include municipal leases and participations in municipal leases. An issuers obligation under such leases is often subject to the appropriation by the appropriate legislative body, on an annual or other basis, of funds for the payment of the obligations. Municipal securities held by the Fund may be insured as to principal and interest payments. If the claims-paying ability or other rating of the insurer is downgraded by a ratings agency, the value of such securities may be negatively affected. Municipal obligations may or may not be exempt from federal, state or local income tax.
U.S. Treasury and Government Agency Securities. U.S. 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 ^ provided financial support to Fannie Mae and Freddie ^ Mac in the past , 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.
Build America Bonds. Build America Bonds are taxable municipal obligations issued pursuant to the American Recovery and Reimbursement Act of 2009 (the "Act") or other legislation providing for the issuance of taxable municipal debt on which the issuer receives federal support. Enacted in February 2009, the Act authorizes state and local governments to issue taxable bonds on which, assuming certain specified conditions are satisfied, issuers may either (i) receive reimbursement from the U.S. Treasury with respect to its interest payments on the bonds (direct pay Build America Bonds) or (ii) provide tax credits to investors in the bonds (tax credit Build America Bonds). Unlike most other municipal obligations, interest received on Build America Bonds is subject to federal income tax and may be subject to state income tax. Under the terms of the Act, issuers of direct pay Build America Bonds are entitled to receive reimbursement from the U.S. Treasury currently equal to 35% (or 45% in the case of Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds) of the interest paid. Holders of tax credit Build America Bonds can receive a federal tax credit currently equal to 35% of the coupon interest received. The Fund may invest in principal only strips of tax credit Build America Bonds, which entitle the holder to receive par value of such bonds if held to maturity. The Fund does not expect to receive (or pass through to shareholders) tax credits as a result of its investments. The federal interest subsidy or tax credit continues for the life of the bonds.
Build America Bonds ^ are an alternative form of financing to state and local governments whose primary means for accessing the capital markets has been through issuance of tax-free municipal bonds. Build America Bonds can appeal to a broader array of investors than the high income U.S. taxpayers that have traditionally provided the market for municipal bonds. Build America Bonds may provide a lower net cost of funds to issuers. Pursuant to the Act, the issuance of Build America Bonds ^ ceased on December 31, 2010. ^ As a result, the ^ availability of such bonds ^ is limited and the market for the bonds and/or their ^ liquidity may be affected .
^
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Credit Quality. Rating agencies are private services that provide ratings of the credit quality of certain fixed income securities. In evaluating creditworthiness, the investment adviser considers ratings assigned by rating agencies and generally performs additional credit and investment analysis. Credit ratings issued by rating agencies are based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the issuers financial condition and the rating agencys credit analysis, if applicable, at the time of rating. The ratings assigned are not absolute standards of credit quality and do not evaluate market risks or necessarily reflect the issuers current financial condition. An issuers current financial condition may be better or worse than the current rating indicates. A credit rating may have a modifier (such as plus, minus or a numerical modifier) to denote its relative status within the rating. The presence of a modifier does not change the securitys credit rating (meaning that BBB- and Baa3 are within the investment grade rating) for purposes of a Funds investment limitations.
Duration. Duration measures the time-weighted expected cash flows of a fixed-income security, which can determine its sensitivity to changes in the general level of interest rates. Securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than securities with shorter durations. A mutual fund with a longer dollar-weighted average duration can be expected to be more sensitive to interest rate changes than a fund with a shorter dollar-weighted average duration. Duration differs from maturity in that it considers a securitys coupon payments in addition to the amount of time until the security matures. Various techniques may be used to shorten or lengthen Fund duration. As the value of a security changes over time, so will its duration.
Lower Rated Securities. Investments in obligations 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.
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 securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A thereunder. Certain Section 4(2) and Rule 144A securities may be treated as liquid securities if the investment adviser determines that such treatment is warranted. Even if determined to be liquid, holdings of these securities may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing them.
When-issued Securities. The Fund may purchase securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis (meaning securities are purchased or sold with payment and delivery taking place in the future) in order to secure what is considered to be an advantageous price and yield at the time of entering into the transaction. However, the yield on a comparable security when the transaction is consummated may vary from the yield on the security at the time that the forward commitment or when-issued transaction was made. From the time of entering into the transaction until delivery and payment is made at a later date, the securities that are the subject of the transaction are subject to market fluctuations. In forward commitment or when-issued transactions, if the seller or buyer, as the case may be, fails to consummate the transaction the counterparty may miss the opportunity of obtaining a price or yield considered to be advantageous. Forward commitment or when-issued transactions may occur a month or more before delivery is due. However, no payment or delivery is made until payment is received or delivery is made from the other party to the transaction. Forward commitment or when-issued transactions are not entered into by the Fund for the purpose of investment leverage.
Securities Lending. The Fund may seek to earn income by lending portfolio securities to broker-dealers or other institutional borrowers. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the securities loaned if the borrower of the securities fails financially. Loans will only be made to firms that have been approved by the investment adviser and the investment adviser or the securities lending agent will periodically monitor the financial condition of such organizations while any loans are outstanding. In addition, loans will only be made when the investment adviser believes the expected returns, net of expenses, justify the attendant risk. Securities loans currently are required to be secured continuously by collateral in cash, cash equivalents (such as money market instruments) or other liquid securities held by the custodian and maintained in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned. The Fund may lend up to one-third of the value of its total assets (including borrowings) or such other amount as is permitted under relevant law.
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 and to balance longer duration positions as well as to invest daily cash balances or for temporary defensive purposes . During unusual market conditions, a Fund may invest up to 100% of its assets in cash and cash equivalents temporarily, which may be inconsistent with its investment objective .
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Portfolio Turnover. The annual portfolio turnover rate of the Fund may exceed 100%. A mutual fund with a high turnover rate (100% or more) may involve greater expenses to the Fund and may result in a realization of net-short term capital gains.
General. Unless otherwise stated, the Funds investment objectives and certain other policies may be changed without shareholder approval. 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.
Each 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. Each Fund may initiate investments in one or more such investment companies at any time without shareholder approval.
Management and Organization
Management. Each 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 $195 billion on behalf of mutual funds, institutional clients and individuals.
The investment adviser manages the investments of each Fund and provides administrative services and related office ^ facilities . Under its investment advisory and administrative agreement with each Fund, Eaton Vance receives an annual fee for its services as follows:
Short Term Fund | |
Average Daily Net Assets for the Month | Annual Fee Rate |
|
|
Up to $500 million | 0.55% |
$500 million up to $1 billion | 0.54% |
$1 billion up to $2 billion | 0.53% |
$2 billion up to $5 billion | 0.51% |
$5 billion and over | 0.50% |
For the fiscal year ended January 31, ^ 2011 , the effective annual rate of the advisory fee paid to Eaton Vance, based on average daily net assets of the ^ Fund was 0.55 ^ % for Short Term Fund .
Intermediate Term Fund and Long Term Fund | |
Average Daily Net Assets for the Month | Annual Fee Rate |
|
|
Up to $1 billion | 0.600% |
$1 billion but less than $2 billion | 0.575% |
$2 billion but less than $5 billion | 0.550% |
$5 billion and over | 0.530% |
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, the effective annual rate of the advisory fee paid to Eaton Vance, based on average daily net assets of each Fund was 0.60% for Intermediate Term Fund and 0.60% for Long Term Fund.
^ Each Fund is managed by a team of portfolio managers led by James H. Evans. Mr. Evans has served as a portfolio manager of the Short Term Fund since operations commenced in 2009 and as a portfolio manager of the Intermediate Term and Long Term Funds since each Fund commenced operations in ^ 2010 . He is a Vice President of Eaton Vance. Prior to joining Eaton Vance in 2008, Mr. Evans was a Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager at M.D. Sass Tax Advantaged Bond Strategies, L.L.C. ("M.D. Sass") and managed the Predecessor Account ^ . ^
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Brian C. Barney and Brian D. Clouser are the members of the Short Term Fund management team. Both are Vice Presidents of Eaton Vance and have been managing the Fund since June 2010. Prior to joining Eaton Vance in 2008, Mr. Barney and Mr. Clouser were each a Vice President and portfolio manager with M.D. Sass. Mr. Barney was employed at M.D. Sass from 2001-2008 and Mr. Clouser was employed from 2006-2008.
Brian C. Barney and Christopher J. Harshman are the members of the Intermediate Term Fund management team and have been members of the team since 2010. For information on Mr. Barney, please see above. Mr. Harshman is a Vice President of Eaton Vance. Prior to joining Eaton Vance in 2009 he was a Vice President and Senior Trader at Wachovia Bank, N.A. from 2004-2009.
Christopher J. Harshman and Joseph M. Davolio are the members of the Long Term Fund management team and have been members of the team since 2010. For information on Mr. Harshman, please see above. Mr. Davolio is a Vice President of Eaton Vance. Prior to joining Eaton Vance in 2008 he was a portfolio manager with M.D. Sass from 2005-2008.
The ^ Funds shareholder ^ reports will provide information regarding the basis for the Trustees approval of the ^ Funds investment advisory ^ agreements .
The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about each portfolio managers compensation, other accounts managed by each portfolio manager, and each portfolio managers ownership of Fund shares with respect to which that portfolio manager has management responsibilities.
Eaton Vance also serves as the sub-transfer agent for each Fund. For the sub-transfer agency services it provides, Eaton Vance receives an aggregate fee based upon the actual expenses it incurs ^ for its sub-transfer agency services. This fee is paid to Eaton Vance by a Funds transfer agent from the fees the transfer agent receives from the Eaton Vance funds.
Organization. Each Fund is a series of Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II, a Massachusetts business trust. Each Fund offers multiple classes of shares. Each Class represents a pro rata interest in a Fund but is subject to different expenses and rights. The Funds do 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).
Related Performance Information
The Intermediate Term and Long Term Funds have substantially the same investment objective, policies and strategies as existing managed accounts that are advised by Eaton Vance. Listed below is composite performance for Eaton Vance with regard to all of these similarly managed accounts. The managed accounts included in the composite are not mutual funds registered under the 1940 Act, and therefore these accounts are not subject to investment limitations, diversification requirements and other restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act and the Internal Revenue Code. If such requirements were applicable to these managed accounts, the performance shown may have been lower.
This composite data is provided to illustrate the past performance of Eaton Vance in managing tax-advantaged bond strategy mandates and should not be considered as an indication of future performance of the Fund or Eaton Vance. The performance figures shown below reflect the deduction of the highest total expenses currently paid by an account in the composite. The fees and expenses of the Fund are higher than those of the managed accounts. If the managed accounts had been subject to the same fees and expenses as the Fund, the performance shown would have been lower. The performance figures were calculated in accordance with the industry standards for preparing and presenting investment adviser performance. This methodology differs from the Securities and Exchange Commissions standardized method that the Fund will use to calculate its own performance.
The performance of the composite for Intermediate Term Fund is shown in the table below for the stated periods ended March 31, 2011. Also shown is the performance of broad-based securities indices used as the Composites benchmark. From inception through December 31, 2008, the composites benchmark was an equal blend of Barclays Capital: 7-Year, 10-Year and 15-Year Municipal Bond Indexes. From January 1, 2009 forward the benchmark is the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index: Managed Money (AAA/AA) 7-12 Year Maturities. Each Index is an unmanaged index of intermediate maturity municipal obligations.
One | Five | Since | |
Intermediate Term Fund Composite Annualized Total Return | Year | Years | Inception* |
|
|||
Composite | 3.19% | 5.37% | 4.69% |
Benchmark Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 3.35% | 4.51% | 4.00% |
* | Inception date for the Composite was 6/1/05. Assets in the composite as of 3/31/11 were approximately $507 million. |
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
The performance of the composite is shown in the table below for the stated periods ended March 31, 2011. Also shown is the performance of broad-based securities indices used as the Composites benchmark. From February 2006 through 2007, the Composites benchmark is the Merrill Lynch 12-22 Year Municipal Bond Index. From December 1, 2007 forward the benchmark is the Barclays Capital Municipal Bond Index: Managed Money (AAA/AA) 7-20 Year Maturities. Each Index is an unmanaged index of longer-maturity municipal obligations.
One | Five | Since | |
Long Term Fund Composite Annualized Total Return | Year | Years | Inception* |
|
|||
Composite | 3.21% | 5.83% | 5.87% |
Benchmark Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 2.32% | 4.68% | 4.54% |
* Inception date for the Composite was 2/1/06. Assets in the composite as of 3/31/11 were approximately $1.0 billion.
Because the Funds use this combined Prospectus, a Fund could be held liable for a misstatement or omission made about another Fund.
Valuing Shares
Each 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 purchase price of Fund shares is their net asset value (plus a sales charge for Class A shares), which is derived from the value of 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. Each 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 the daily valuation of such investments. Municipal obligations owned by the Funds are normally valued on the basis of valuations furnished by a pricing service , which may use matrix pricing and valuation models to derive values . The pricing service considers various factors relating to bonds and market transactions to determine value . It is possible that the value realized on the sale of a security may be different from the value previously determined for a particular security. Financial futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded . In certain situations, the investment adviser may use the fair value of a security if market prices are unavailable or deemed unreliable. 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. The investment adviser expects to use fair value pricing for municipal obligations under limited circumstances, such as when an obligation is not priced by the pricing service or is in default. 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 a Funds transfer agent. A 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. Each Fund may suspend the sale of its shares at any time and any purchase order may be refused for any reason. The Funds do 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
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
group purchase plans (including 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).
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 ^ an 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 Funds are not intended for excessive trading or market timing. Market timers seek to profit by rapidly switching money into a fund when they expect the share price of the fund to rise and taking money out of the fund when they expect those prices to fall. By realizing profits through short-term trading, shareholders that engage in rapid purchases and sales or exchanges of a funds shares may dilute the value of shares held by long-term shareholders. Volatility resulting from excessive purchases and sales or exchanges of fund shares, especially involving large dollar amounts, may disrupt efficient portfolio management. In particular, excessive purchases and sales or exchanges of a funds shares may cause a fund to have difficulty implementing its investment strategies, may force the fund to sell portfolio securities at inopportune times to raise cash or may cause increased expenses (such as increased brokerage costs, realization of taxable capital gains without attaining any investment advantage or increased administrative costs).
A fund that invests in securities that are, among other things, thinly traded, traded infrequently or relatively illiquid (including certain Municipal Securities, or other securities 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 is 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 arbitrage to the detriment of the Funds.
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 (being a purchase, including an exchange ^ purchase, followed or proceeded by a redemption, including an exchange redemption ) within 90 days, it will be deemed to constitute market timing or excessive trading. Under the policies, each 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. Each 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. Each 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 a 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.
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Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
The following fund share transactions generally are exempt from the market timing and excessive trading policy described above because each Fund and the principal underwriter believe they generally do not raise market timing or excessive trading concerns:
It may be difficult for a Fund or the principal underwriter to identify market timing or excessive trading in omnibus accounts traded through financial intermediaries. The Funds 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 a Fund. Each 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 a Funds policy. Although each 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 Funds and the principal underwriter typically will not request or receive individual account data unless suspicious trading activity is identified. Each 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. Each 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. Each 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 Funds.
Class A shares are offered at net asset value plus a front-end sales charge of up to 2.25% (4.75% for Long Term Fund). This charge is deducted from the amount you invest. The Class A sales charge is reduced for purchases of $100,000 ($50,000 for Long Term Fund) 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 Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
20 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
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 | |
For Short Term Fund and Intermediate Term Fund | 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 $100,000 | 2.25% | 2.30% | 2.00% |
$100,000 but less than $250,000 | 1.75% | 1.78% | 1.50% |
$250,000 but less than $500,000 | 1.50% | 1.52% | 1.25% |
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000 | 1.00% | 1.01% | 0.85% |
$1,000,000 or more | 0.00** | 0.00** | 0.75% |
* | 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. |
Sales Charge* | Sales Charge* | Dealer Commission | |
For Long Term Fund | 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 | 4.75% | 4.99% | 4.00% |
$50,000 but less than $100,000 | 4.50% | 4.71% | 3.75% |
$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** | 0.75% |
* | 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. |
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 a 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.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
21 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Right of Accumulation. Under the right of accumulation, the sales charge you pay is reduced if the current market value of your holdings in a Fund or any other Eaton Vance fund (based on the current maximum public offering price) plus your new purchase total $100,000 ($50,000 for Long Term Fund) or more. Class A shares of Eaton Vance U.S. Government Money Market Fund ^ 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).
Statement of Intention. Under a statement of intention, purchases of $100,000 ($50,000 for Long Term Fund) 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 a 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 and foundations. 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 million 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.
CDSC Waivers. CDSCs are waived for certain redemptions pursuant to a Withdrawal Plan (see Shareholder Account Features). 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 each 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 1.00% 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 typically 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 Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
22 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
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 a 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 and state 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 a Fund or your bank. No costs are currently charged by a Fund. However, charges may apply for expedited mail delivery services. Each 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 Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
23 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
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 Funds. 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 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 below and additionally 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.
Each 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. Each 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 month end is posted to the website approximately one month after such month end . Each Fund also posts information about certain portfolio characteristics (such as top ten holdings and asset allocation) ^ at least quarterly on the Eaton Vance website approximately ten business days after the ^ period end and each ^ Fund may also post performance attribution as of a month end or more frequently if deemed appropriate .
^
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.
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" Ordinarily exchanges between different Funds are taxable transactions for federal tax purposes, while permitted exchanges of Class C shares for Class I shares are not. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of federal, state, local and other taxes to transactions in Fund shares.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
24 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
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 or internet transactions, directly with a Fund. If you transfer shares in a street name account to an account with another financial intermediary or to an account directly with a 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 a 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 a Funds net asset value has decreased since your purchase, you will lose money as a result of this redemption. Each 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
Each Fund declares dividends daily and ordinarily pays distributions monthly. Different Classes may distribute different dividend amounts. Your account will be credited with dividends beginning on the business day after the day when the funds used to purchase your Fund shares are collected by the transfer agent. For tax purposes, the Funds dividends sourced from investments in Municipal Securities ordinarily will constitute federally tax-exempt income to you, so long as the Fund meets the tax requirement that at least 50% of its total assets are invested in Municipal Securities as of each fiscal quarter end. To the extent that the Funds investment income consists of both taxable and tax-exempt income, Fund expenses will reduce the Funds taxable and tax-exempt income dividends in proportion to the character of its gross income. Distribution of any net realized gains will be made once each year (usually in December). The exemption of exempt-interest dividend income from regular federal income taxation does not necessarily result in similar exemptions from such income under the state or local tax laws.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
25 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
A Fund may invest a substantial portion of its assets in securities that generate income that is not exempt from federal income tax. Income generated from Taxable Municipal Securities is subject to federal income tax and may be subject to state income tax. Income generated from Treasury Securities is exempt from state and local income taxes but is subject to federal income tax. Income generated from Agency Securities is generally subject to federal income tax, as well as state and local income taxes where applicable. 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. Distributions of any taxable income and net short-term capital gains will be taxable as ordinary income. Distributions of any long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains. Distributions of interest on certain municipal obligations are a tax preference item under the AMT provisions applicable to individuals and corporations, and all tax-exempt distributions may affect a corporations AMT liability. A Funds distributions will be treated as described above for federal income tax purposes whether they are paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. A redemption of Fund shares, including an exchange for shares of another fund, is a taxable transaction.
Shareholders, particularly corporations, recipients of social security or railroad retirement benefits and those subject to AMT, should consult with their advisers concerning the applicability of federal, state, local and other taxes to an investment.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
26 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Financial Highlights
The financial highlights are intended to help you understand a Funds financial performance for the period(s) indicated. Certain information in the table reflects the financial results for a single Fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in a Fund (assuming reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value). This information has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm. The reports of Deloitte & Touche LLP and each Funds financial statements are incorporated herein by reference and included in the Funds annual report, which is available upon request.
^
Short Term Fund | ||||||
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Period Ended January 31, | ||||||
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2011 | 2010 (1) | |||||
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Class A | Class C | Class I | Class A | Class C | Class I | |
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Net asset value - Beginning of period | $ 10.260 | $ 10.270 | $ 10.260 | $ 10.000 | $10.000 | $ 10.000 |
Income (Loss) From Operations | ||||||
Net investment income | $ 0.090 | $ 0.011 | $ 0.119 | $ 0.082 (2) | $ 0.019 (2) | $0.129 (2) |
Net realized and unrealized gain | 0.084 (3) | 0.085 (3) | 0.082 (3) | 0.36 3 | 0.372 | 0.338 |
Total income from operations | $ 0.174 | $ 0.096 | $ 0.201 | $ 0.445 | $ 0.391 | $0.467 |
Less Distributions | ||||||
From net investment income | $ (0.090) | $ (0.012) | $ (0.117) | $ (0.140) | $ (0.076) | $(0.162) |
From net realized gain | $ (0.114) | $ (0.114) | $ (0.114) | $ (0.045 ) | $ (0.045 ) | $(0.045 ) |
Total distributions | $ (0.204) | $ (0.126) | $ (0.231) | $ (0.185 ) | $ (0.121 ) | $(0.207 ) |
Net asset value - End of period | $ 10.230 | $ 10.240 | $ 10.230 | $ 10.260 | $10.270 | $ 10.260 |
Total Return (4) | 1.69% | 0.93% | 1.94% | 4.49% (5) | 3.93% (5) | 4.71% (5) |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | ||||||
Net assets, end of period (000s omitted) | $473,976 | $150,490 | $246,296 | $230,414 | $59,381 | $127,546 |
Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets): | ||||||
Expenses before custodian fee reduction | 0.90% | 1.64% | 0.65% | 0.90% (7)(8) | 1.65% (7)(8) | 0.65% (7)(8) |
Expenses after custodian fee reduction | 0.89% | 1.63% | 0.64% | 0.90% (7)(8) | 1.65% (7)(8) | 0.65% (7)(8) |
Net investment income | 0.83% | 0.08% | 1.09% | 0.94% (7) | 0.22% (7) | 1.48% (7) |
Portfolio Turnover | 107% | 107% | 107% | 129% (5)(9) | 129% (5)(9) | 129% (5)(9) |
(See footnotes on last page.) |
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
27 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Financial Highlights (continued)
Intermediate Term Fund | |||
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Year Ended January 31, | |||
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2011 | |||
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Class A | Class C | Class I | |
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Net asset value - Beginning of year | $10.000 | $10.000 | $10.000 |
Income (Loss) from operations | |||
Net investment income | $ 0.131 | $ 0.057 | $ 0.155 |
Net realized and unrealized gain | 0.406 (3) | 0.406 (3) | 0.406 (3) |
Total income from operations | $ 0.537 | $ 0.463 | $ 0.561 |
Less distributions | |||
From net investment income | $ (0.131) | $ (0.057) | $ (0.155) |
From net realized gain | (0.026) | (0.026) | (0.026) |
Total distributions | $ (0.157) | $ (0.083) | $ (0.181) |
Net asset value - End of year | $10.380 | $10.380 | $10.380 |
Total Return (4) | 5.38% | 4.63% | 5.62% |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |||
Net assets, end of year (000s omitted) | $ 3,972 | $ 1,216 | $52,224 |
Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets): | |||
Expenses before custodian fee reduction (8) | 0.96% | 1.71% | 0.71% |
Expenses after custodian fee reduction (8) | 0.95% | 1.70% | 0.70% |
Net Investment Income | 1.26% | 0.58% | 1.24% |
Portfolio Turnover | 202% | 202% | 202% |
(See footnotes on last page.) |
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
28 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
Financial Highlights (continued)
Long Term Fund | |||
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Year Ended January 31, | |||
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2011 | |||
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Class A | Class C | Class I | |
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Net asset value - Beginning of year | $10.000 | $10.000 | $10.000 |
Income (Loss) from operations | |||
Net investment income | $ 0.268 | $ 0.192 | $ 0.294 |
Net realized and unrealized gain | 0.056 (3) | 0.056 (3) | 0.056 (3) |
Total income from operations | $ 0.324 | $ 0.248 | $ 0.350 |
Less distributions | |||
From net investment income | $ (0.267) | $ (0.191) | $ (0.293) |
From net realized gain | (0.247) | (0.247) | (0.247) |
Total distributions | $ (0.514) | $ (0.438) | $ (0.540) |
Net asset value - End of year | $ 9.810 | $ 9.810 | $ 9.810 |
Total Return (4) | 3.21% | 2.44% | 3.47% |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |||
Net assets, end of year (000s omitted) | $ 149 | $ 141 | $ 1,958 |
Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets): | |||
Expenses (6)(8) | 0.95% | 1.70% | 0.70% |
Net Investment Income | 2.65% | 1.88% | 2.86% |
Portfolio Turnover | 200% | 200% | 200% |
(1) | For the period from the start of business, March 27, 2009, to January 31, 2010. |
(2) | Computed using average shares outstanding. |
(3) | The per share amount is not in accord with the net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments for the period because of the timing of sales of Fund shares and the amount of the per share realized |
and unrealized gains and losses at such time. | |
( ^ 4 ) | Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and, if applicable, do not reflect the effect of sales charges. |
( ^ 5 ) | Not annualized. |
( ^ 6 ) | Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. |
^ | |
(7) | Annualized. |
(8) | The investment adviser and administrator subsidized certain operating expenses equal to 0.11% of average daily net assets for Short Term Fund for the period ended January 31, 2010 and 0.68% and |
7.17%, respectively, of average daily net assets for Intermediate Term Fund and Long Term Fund, respectively, for the period ended January 31, 2011. Absent these subsidies, total return would be lower. | |
( ^ 9 ) | Excluding the value of portfolio securities delivered in payment of redemptions in-kind, the portfolio turnover would have been 120%. |
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
29 |
Prospectus dated June 1, 2011 |
More Information
About the Funds: 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 each Funds investments is available in the annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected each 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 each 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 ^ website ( ^ 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 Investment ^ Servicing (US) Inc . If you own shares and would like to add to, redeem or change your account, please write or call below:
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The Funds Investment Company Act No. is 811-08134. | TABS-SILTP |
^5107 -6/11 | ©^ 2011 Eaton Vance Management |
STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ^ June 1, 2011 |
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income
Fund
Class A Shares - ETHYX Class B Shares - EVHYX Class C Shares - ECHYX Class I Shares - EIHYX 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 Municipals Trust II (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 | ^ 20 | |
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Investment Restrictions | 8 | Sales Charges | 21 | |
Management and Organization | 10 | Performance | 23 | |
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Investment Advisory and Administrative Services | 17 | Taxes | 25 | |
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Other Service Providers | 19 | Portfolio Securities Transactions | 29 | |
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Calculation of Net Asset Value | 20 | Financial Statements | 31 | |
Appendix A: Class A Fees, Performance and Ownership | ^ 32 | Appendix E: Ratings | ^ 37 | |
Appendix B: Class B Fees, Performance and Ownership | ^ 34 | Appendix F: Eaton Vance Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures | ^ 46 | |
Appendix C: Class C Fees, Performance and Ownership | ^ 35 | Appendix G: Adviser Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures | ^ 48 | |
Appendix D: Class I Performance and Ownership | ^ 36 |
This SAI is NOT a prospectus and is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only if preceded or accompanied by the Fund Prospectus dated June 1, 2011, 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.
© ^ 2011 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).
Municipal Obligations. Municipal obligations are issued to obtain funds for various public and private purposes. Municipal obligations include bonds as well as tax-exempt commercial paper, project notes and municipal notes such as tax, revenue and bond anticipation notes of short maturity, generally less than three years. While most municipal bonds pay a fixed rate of interest semiannually in cash, there are exceptions. Some bonds pay no periodic cash interest, but rather make a single payment at maturity representing both principal and interest. Bonds may be issued or subsequently offered with interest coupons materially greater or less than those then prevailing, with price adjustments reflecting such deviation.
In general, there are three categories of municipal obligations, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax and is not a tax preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax ("AMT"): (i) certain public purpose obligations (whenever issued), which include obligations issued directly by state and local governments or their agencies to fulfill essential governmental functions; (ii) certain obligations issued before August 8, 1986 for the benefit of non-governmental persons or entities; and (iii) certain private activity bonds issued after August 7, 1986 which include qualified Section 501(c)(3) bonds or refundings of certain obligations included in the second category. In assessing the federal income tax treatment of interest on any municipal obligation, the Fund will rely on an opinion of the issuers counsel (when available) and will not undertake any independent verification of the basis for the opinion.
Interest on certain private activity bonds issued after August 7, 1986 is exempt from regular federal income tax, but such interest (including a distribution by the Fund derived from such interest) is treated as a tax preference item which could subject the recipient to or increase the recipients liability for the AMT. For corporate shareholders, the Funds distributions derived from interest on all municipal obligations (whenever issued) are included in adjusted current earnings for purposes of the AMT as applied to corporations (to the extent not already included in alternative minimum taxable income as income attributable to private activity bonds).
The two principal classifications of municipal bonds are general obligation and revenue bonds. Issuers of general obligation bonds include states, counties, cities, towns and regional districts. The proceeds of these obligations are used to fund a wide range of public projects, including the construction or improvement of schools, highways and roads, water and sewer systems and a variety of other public purposes. The basic security of general obligation bonds is the issuers pledge of its faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited as to rate and amount.
Revenue bonds are generally secured by the net revenues derived from a particular facility or group of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Revenue bonds have been issued to fund a wide variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water, sewer and solid waste disposal systems; highways, bridges and tunnels; port, airport and parking facilities; transportation systems; housing facilities, colleges and universities and hospitals. Although the principal security behind these bonds varies widely, many lower rated bonds provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund whose monies may be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuers obligations. Housing finance authorities have a wide range of security including partially or fully insured, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages, and/or the net revenues from housing or other public projects. In addition to a debt service reserve fund, some authorities provide further security in the form of a states ability (without legal obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund. Lease rental revenue bonds issued by a state or local authority for capital projects are normally secured by annual lease rental payments from the state or locality to the authority sufficient to cover debt service on the authoritys obligations. Such payments are usually subject to annual appropriations by the state or locality. Industrial development and pollution control bonds, although nominally issued by municipal authorities, are in most cases revenue bonds and are generally not secured by the taxing power of the municipality, but are usually secured by the revenues derived by the authority from payments of the industrial user or users. The Fund may on occasion acquire revenue bonds ^ that carry warrants or similar rights covering equity securities. Such warrants or rights may be held indefinitely, but if exercised, the Fund anticipates that it would, under normal circumstances, dispose of any equity securities so acquired within a reasonable period of time.
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The obligations of any person or entity to pay the principal of and interest on a municipal obligation are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Act, and laws, if any, ^ that may be enacted by Congress or state legislatures extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations. Certain bond structures may be subject to the risk that a taxing authority may issue an adverse ruling regarding tax-exempt status. There is also the possibility that as a result of adverse economic conditions (including unforeseen financial events, natural disasters and other conditions that may affect an issuers ability to pay its obligations), litigation or other conditions, the power or ability of any person or entity to pay when due principal of and interest on a municipal obligation may be materially affected or interest and principal previously paid may be required to be refunded. There have been recent instances of defaults and bankruptcies involving municipal obligations ^ that were not foreseen by the financial and investment communities. The Fund will take whatever action it considers appropriate in the event of anticipated financial difficulties, default or bankruptcy of either the issuer of any municipal obligation or of the underlying source of funds for debt service. Such action may include retaining the services of various persons or firms (including affiliates of the investment adviser) to evaluate or protect any real estate, facilities or other assets securing any such obligation or acquired by the Fund as a result of any such event, and the Fund may also manage (or engage other persons to manage) or otherwise deal with any real estate, facilities or other assets so acquired. The Fund anticipates that real estate consulting and management services may be required with respect to properties securing various municipal obligations in its portfolio or subsequently acquired by the Fund. The Fund will incur additional expenditures in taking protective action with respect to portfolio obligations in (or anticipated to be in) default and assets securing such obligations.
The yields on municipal obligations depend on a variety of factors, including purposes of the issue and source of funds for repayment, general money market conditions, general conditions of the municipal bond market, size of a particular offering, maturity of the obligation and rating of the issue. The ratings of Moodys, S&P and Fitch represent their opinions as to the quality of the municipal obligations which they undertake to rate, and in the case of insurers, other factors including the claims-paying ability of such insurer. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are based on judgment and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal obligations with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while obligations of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield. In addition, the market price of such obligations will normally fluctuate with changes in interest rates, and therefore the net asset value of the Fund will be affected by such changes.
Insured Obligations. The ^ Fund may purchase municipal obligations that are insured as to their scheduled payment of principal and interest. Although the insurance feature may reduce some financial risks, the premiums for insurance and the higher market price sometimes paid for insured obligations may reduce the Funds current yield. In addition, changes in the ratings of an insurer may affect the value of an insured obligation, and in some cases may even cause the value of a security to be less than a comparable uninsured obligation. The insurance does not guarantee the market value of the insured obligation or the net asset value of the Funds shares.
State and Sector Concentration. The Fund may invest 25% or more of its total assets in municipal obligations whose issuers are located in the same state or in municipal obligations in certain sectors. Municipal obligations of issuers located in a single state may be adversely affected by economic developments (including insolvency of an issuer) and by legislation and other governmental activities in that state. There could be economic, business or political developments or court decisions that adversely affect all municipal obligations in the same sector. In particular, investments in revenue bonds might involve (without limitation) the following risks.
Hospital bond ratings are often based on feasibility studies ^ that contain projections of expenses, revenues and occupancy levels. Among the influences affecting a hospitals gross receipts and net income available to service its debt are demand for hospital services, the ability of the hospital to provide the services required, management capabilities, economic developments in the service area, efforts by insurers and government agencies to limit rates and expenses, confidence in the hospital, service area economic developments, competition, availability and expense of malpractice insurance, Medicaid and Medicare funding and possible federal legislation limiting the rates of increase of hospital charges.
Electric utilities face problems in financing large construction programs in an inflationary period, cost increases and delay occasioned by safety and environmental considerations (particularly with respect to nuclear facilities), difficulty in obtaining fuel at reasonable prices, and in achieving timely and adequate rate relief from regulatory commissions, effects of energy conservation and limitations on the capacity of the capital market to absorb utility debt.
Industrial development bonds (IDBs) are normally secured only by the revenues from the project and not by state or local government tax payments, they are subject to a wide variety of risks, many of which relate to the nature of the specific project. Generally, IDBs are sensitive to the risk of a slowdown in the economy.
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Standard tobacco bonds are secured by a single source of revenue, installment payments made by tobacco companies stemming from the settlement of lawsuits brought against them by various states (the Master Settlement Agreement). Appropriation backed tobacco bonds are supported by the same Master Settlement Agreement payments as standard tobacco bonds, but are also subject to a states pledge that the governor will request an appropriation of funds in its annual budget for debt service if Master Settlement Agreement revenues are insufficient. These payments are not generally fixed but rather are tied to the volume of the companys U.S. sales of cigarettes. Tobacco bonds are subject to several risks, including the risk that cigarette consumption declines or that a tobacco company defaults on its obligation to make payments to the state. Escrowed tobacco bonds no longer rely on Master Settlement Agreement revenue as security, and are backed by a variety of government securities.
^ The airline industry ^ has historically exhibited volatility, with market disruptions, mergers and occasional bankruptcy ^ filings . ^ The industry has ^ been prone to ^ issues including , but ^ not limited to, ^ intense competition, labor and union ^ conflicts and ^ variable jet fuel ^ and security costs . Court rulings have given some guidance to the viability of collateral structures. However, there is still uncertainty as to the strength of collateral pledged under various security systems.
Certain tax-exempt bonds issued by Native American tribes may be subject to the risk that a taxing authority would determine that the income from such bonds is not eligible for tax-exempt status. In the event of any final adverse ruling to this effect, holders of such bonds may be subject to penalties.
Credit Quality. Lower rated and comparable unrated municipal obligations are subject to the risk of an issuers inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligations (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 municipal obligations are also more likely to react to real or perceived developments affecting market and credit risk than are more highly rated obligations, which react primarily to movements in the general level of interest rates.
The inability (or perceived inability) of issuers to make timely payment of Fund and principal would likely make the values of securities held by the Fund more volatile and could limit the Funds ability to sell its securities at prices approximating the values the Fund has placed on such securities. In the absence of a liquid trading market for securities held by it, the Fund may be unable at times to establish the fair market value of such securities. Credit quality in the high yield, high risk municipal bond market can change from time to time, and recently issued credit ratings may not fully reflect the actual risks posed by a particular high yield security. Defaulted obligations are denoted in the Portfolio of Investments in the Financial Statements included in the Funds report to shareholders.
When the Fund invests in lower rated or unrated municipal obligations, the achievement of the Funds goals is more dependent on the investment advisers ability than would be the case if the Fund were investing in municipal obligations in the higher rating categories. In evaluating the credit quality of a particular issue, whether rated or unrated, the investment adviser may take into consideration, among other things, the financial resources of the issuer (or, as appropriate, of the underlying source of funds for debt service), its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, any operating history of and the community support for the facility financed by the issue, the ability of the issuers management and regulatory matters. The investment adviser may also purchase structured derivative products with greater or lesser credit risk than the underlying bonds. Such bonds may be rated investment grade, as well as below investment grade. For a description of municipal bond ratings, see Appendix E.
Municipal Leases. The Fund may invest in municipal leases and participations therein, which arrangements frequently involve special risks. Municipal leases are obligations in the form of a lease, installment purchase or conditional sales contract (which typically provide for the title to the leased asset to pass to the governmental issuer) ^ that is issued by state or local governments to acquire equipment and facilities. Interest income from such obligations is generally exempt from local and state taxes in the state of issuance. Participations in such leases are undivided interests in a portion of the total obligation. Participations entitle their holders to receive a pro rata share of all payments under the lease. The obligation of the issuer to meet its obligations under such leases is often subject to the appropriation by the appropriate legislative body, on an annual or other basis, of funds for the payment of the obligations. Investments in municipal leases are thus subject to the risk that the legislative body will not make the necessary appropriation and the issuer will not otherwise be willing or able to meet its obligation.
Certain municipal lease obligations owned by the Fund may be deemed illiquid for the purpose of the Funds 15% limitation on investments in illiquid securities, unless determined by the investment adviser, pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Trustees, to be liquid securities for the purpose of such limitation. If the municipal lease obligation is insured as to the timely payment of principal and interest and the insurer has an investment grade rating (rated BBB or Baa or higher), or if the municipal lease obligation has an investment grade rating (rated BBB or Baa or higher), the adviser will consider the municipal lease obligation to be liquid. If the municipal lease obligation is not rated or is insured by an insurer rated below investment grade, the adviser will be responsible for determining the liquidity of such municipal lease obligation. In determining the liquidity of municipal lease obligations, the investment adviser will consider the factors it believes are relevant to the marketability of the obligation, to the extent that information regarding such factor is available to the investment adviser and pertinent to the liquidity determination, which may
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include: (1) the willingness of dealers to bid for the obligation; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the obligation and the number of other potential buyers; (3) the frequency of trades and quotes for the obligation; (4) the nature of the marketplace trades, including the time needed to dispose of the obligation, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer; (5) the willingness of the governmental issuer to continue to appropriate funds for the payment of the obligation; (6) how likely or remote an event of nonappropriation may be, which depends in varying degrees on a variety of factors, including those relating to the general creditworthiness of the governmental issuer, its dependence on its continuing access to the credit markets, and the importance to the issuer of the equipment, property or facility covered by the lease or ^ contract and (7 ^ ) all factors and information unique to the obligation in determining its liquidity. If the municipal lease obligation is insured as to the timely payment of principal and interest, or if the obligation has an investment grade rating (rated BBB or Baa or higher), the investment adviser will consider the obligation to be liquid. In the event the Fund acquires an unrated municipal lease obligation, the investment adviser will be responsible for determining the credit quality of such obligation on an ongoing basis, including an assessment of the likelihood that the lease may or may not be cancelled.
Zero Coupon Bonds. Zero coupon bonds are debt obligations ^ that do not require the periodic payment of interest and are issued at a significant discount from face value. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the bonds will accrue and compound over the period until maturity at a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of purchase. The Fund is required to accrue income from zero coupon bonds on a current basis, even though it does not receive that income currently in cash, and the Fund is required to distribute that income for each taxable year. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments to obtain cash needed to make income distributions.
When-Issued Securities. New issues of municipal obligations are sometimes offered on a when-issued basis, that is, delivery and payment for the securities normally take place within a specified number of days after the date of the Funds commitment and are subject to certain conditions such as the issuance of satisfactory legal opinions. The Fund may also purchase securities on a when-issued basis pursuant to refunding contracts in connection with the refinancing of an issuers outstanding indebtedness. Refunding contracts generally require the issuer to sell and the Fund to buy such securities on a settlement date that could be several months or several years in the future. The Fund may also purchase instruments that give the Fund the option to purchase a municipal obligation when and if issued.
The Fund will make commitments to purchase when-issued securities only with the intention of actually acquiring the securities, but may sell such securities before the settlement date if it is deemed advisable as a matter of investment strategy. 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. When the Fund commits to purchase a security on a when-issued basis it records the transaction and reflects the value of the security in determining its net asset value. Securities purchased on a when-issued basis and the securities held by the Fund are subject to changes in value based upon the perception of the creditworthiness of the issuer and changes in the level of interest rates ( i.e. , appreciation when interest rates decline and depreciation when interest rates rise). 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.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. A change in the level of interest rates may affect the value of the securities held by the Fund (or of securities that the Fund expects to purchase). To hedge against changes in rates or as a substitute for the purchase of securities, the Fund may enter into (i) futures contracts for the purchase or sale of debt securities and (ii) futures contracts on securities indices. All futures contracts entered into by the Fund are traded on exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the CFTC and must be executed through a futures commission merchant or brokerage firm which is a member of the relevant exchange. The Fund may purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts ^ that are traded on a United States exchange or board of trade. The Fund will be required, in connection with transactions in futures contracts and the writing of options on futures, to make margin deposits, which will be held by the futures commission merchant through whom the Fund engages in such futures and options transactions.
Some futures contracts and options thereon may become illiquid under adverse market conditions. In addition, during periods of market volatility, a commodity exchange may suspend or limit transactions in an exchange-traded instrument, which may make the instrument temporarily illiquid and difficult to price. Commodity exchanges may also establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract or futures option can vary from the previous days settlement price. Once the daily limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. This may prevent the Fund from closing out positions and limiting its losses.
The Fund will engage in futures and related options transactions for either hedging or non-hedging purposes. The Fund will determine that the price fluctuations in the futures contracts and options on futures used for hedging purposes are substantially related to price fluctuations in securities held by the Fund or which it expects to purchase. The Fund will engage in transactions in futures and related options contracts only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Code, for maintaining qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. The Fund has claimed
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an exclusion from the definition of a Commodity Pool Operator (CPO) under the Commodity Exchange Act and therefore is not subject to registration or regulation as a CPO.
Residual Interest Bonds. The Fund may invest in residual interest bonds in a trust that holds municipal securities. The interest rate payable on a residual interest bond bears an inverse relationship to the interest rate on another security issued by the trust. Because changes in the interest rate on the other security inversely affect the interest paid on the residual interest bond, the value and income of a residual interest bond is generally more volatile than that of a fixed rate bond. Residual interest bonds have interest rate adjustment formulas ^ that generally reduce or, in the extreme, eliminate the interest paid to the Fund when short-term interest rates rise, and increase the interest paid to the Fund when short-term interest rates fall. Residual interest bonds have varying degrees of liquidity, and the market for these securities is relatively volatile. These securities tend to underperform the market for fixed rate bonds in a rising long-term interest rate environment, but tend to outperform the market for fixed rate bonds when long-term interest rates decline. Although volatile, residual interest bonds typically offer the potential for yields exceeding the yields available on fixed rate bonds with comparable credit quality and maturity. These securities usually permit the investor to convert the floating rate to a fixed rate (normally adjusted downward), and this optional conversion feature may provide a partial hedge against rising rates if exercised at an opportune time. While residual interest bonds expose the Fund to leverage risk because they provide two or more dollars of bond market exposure for every dollar invested, they are not subject to a Funds restrictions on borrowings.
Under certain circumstances, the Fund may enter into a so-called shortfall and forbearance agreement with the sponsor of a residual interest bond held by the Fund. Such agreements commit the Fund to reimburse the sponsor of such residual interest bond, upon the termination of the trust issuing the residual interest bond, the difference between the liquidation value of the underlying security (which is the basis of the residual interest bond) and the principal amount due to the holders of the floating rate security issued in conjunction with the residual interest bond. Absent a shortfall and forebearance agreement, the Fund would not be required to make such a reimbursement. If the Fund chooses not to enter into such an agreement, the residual interest bond could be terminated and the Fund could incur a loss. The Funds investments in residual interest bonds and similar securities described in the Prospectus and this SAI will not be considered borrowing for purposes of the Funds restrictions on borrowing described herein and in the Prospectus.
Credit Derivatives. The Fund may invest in credit default swaps, total return swaps or credit options. In a credit default swap, the buyer of credit protection (or seller of credit risk) agrees to pay the counterparty a fixed, periodic premium for a specified term. In return, the counterparty agrees to pay a contingent payment to the buyer in the event of an agreed upon credit occurrence with respect to a particular reference entity. In a total return swap, the buyer receives a periodic return equal to the total economic return of a specified security, securities or index, for a specified period of time. In return, the buyer pays the counterparty a variable stream of payments, typically based upon short term interest rates, possibly plus or minus an agreed upon spread. Credit options are options whereby the purchaser has the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a transaction involving either an asset with inherent credit risk or a credit derivative, at terms specified at the initiation of the option. Transactions in derivative instruments involve a risk of loss or depreciation due to: unanticipated adverse changes in securities prices, interest rates, indices, the other financial instruments prices or currency exchange rates; the inability to close out a position; default by the counterparty; imperfect correlation between a position and the desired hedge; tax constraints on closing out positions; and portfolio management constraints on securities subject to such transactions. Derivative instruments may sometimes increase or leverage exposure to a particular market risk, thereby increasing price volatility. The counterparties to many derivatives transactions are investment banks (or, if recently restructured, formerly categorized as investment banks), an industry that has recently experienced higher than normal bankruptcies. The risk of counterparty default increases in the event such counterparties undergo bankruptcy or are otherwise part of an industry affected by increased bankruptcy activity.
Redemption, Demand and Put Features and Put Options. Issuers of municipal obligations may reserve the right to call (redeem) the bond. If an issuer redeems securities held by the Fund during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds in securities providing the same investment return as the securities redeemed. Also, some bonds may have put or demand features that allow early redemption by the bondholder. Longer term fixed-rate bonds may give the holder a right to request redemption at certain times (often annually after the lapse of an intermediate term). These bonds are more defensive than conventional long term bonds (protecting to some degree against a rise in interest rates) while providing greater opportunity than comparable intermediate term bonds, because the Fund may retain the bond if interest rates decline.
Liquidity and Protective Put Options. The Fund may enter into a separate agreement with the seller of the security or some other person granting the Fund the right to put the security to the seller thereof or the other person at an agreed upon price. The Fund intends to limit this type of transaction to institutions (such as banks or securities dealers) ^ that the investment adviser believes present minimal credit risks and would engage in this type of transaction to facilitate portfolio liquidity or (if the seller so agrees) to hedge against rising interest rates. There is no assurance that this kind of put option will be available to the Fund or that selling institutions will be willing to permit the Fund to exercise a put to hedge against rising interest rates. The Fund does not
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expect to assign any value to any separate put option ^ that may be acquired to facilitate portfolio liquidity, inasmuch as the value (if any) of the put will be reflected in the value assigned to the associated security; any put acquired for hedging purposes would be valued in good faith under methods or procedures established by the Trustees after consideration of all relevant factors, including its expiration date, the price volatility of the associated security, the difference between the market price of the associated security and the exercise price of the put, the creditworthiness of the issuer of the put and the market prices of comparable put options. Interest income generated by certain bonds having put or demand features may be taxable.
OTC Options. The Fund may enter into an agreement with a potential buyer of a municipal obligation that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to purchase a municipal obligation held by the Fund at a particular price in the future and is commonly referred to as an over-the-counter option or OTC option. Such agreements will be entered solely to help facilitate the selling of municipal obligations, for instance, if the buyer wishes to lock in a price for a particular municipal obligation subject to performing due diligence on the issue or issuer. The buyer may not pay a premium for such option. The Fund may enter into such arrangements on up to 5% of the value of such Funds assets. There is a risk that the value of a municipal obligation underlying an option may appreciate above the value that the buyer has agreed to pay for the municipal obligation and therefore the Fund would not be entitled to the appreciation above such price. The staff of the SEC takes the position that certain purchased OTC options, and assets used as cover for written OTC options, are illiquid.
Variable Rate Obligations. The Fund may purchase variable rate obligations. Variable rate instruments provide for adjustments in the interest rate at specified intervals (daily, weekly, monthly, semiannually, etc.) based on market conditions and the investor may have the right to put the security back to the issuer or its agent. Variable rate obligations normally provide that the holder can demand payment of the obligation on short notice at par with accrued interest and which are frequently secured by letters of credit or other support arrangements provided by banks. To the extent that such letters of credit or other arrangements constitute an unconditional guarantee of the issuers obligations, a bank may be treated as the issuer of a security for the purposes of complying with the diversification requirements set forth in Section 5(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 5b-2 thereunder. The Fund would anticipate using these bonds as cash equivalents pending longer term investment of its funds.
Interest Rate Swaps and Forward Rate Contracts. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g ., an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments. The Fund will only enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis, i.e ., the two payment streams are netted out with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. The Fund may also enter forward rate contracts. Under these contracts, the buyer locks in an interest rate at a future settlement date. If the interest rate on the settlement date exceeds the lock rate, the buyer pays the seller the difference between the two rates. If the lock rate exceeds the interest rate on the settlement date, the seller pays the buyer the difference between the two rates. Any such gain received by the Fund would be taxable.
If the other party to an interest rate swap or forward rate contract defaults, the Funds risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Funds obligations over its entitlements will be maintained in a segregated account by the Funds custodian. The Fund will not enter into any interest rate swap or forward rate contract unless the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by the investment adviser. 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. These instruments are traded in the over-the-counter market.
Illiquid Obligations. At times, a substantial portion of the Funds assets may be invested in securities as to which the Fund, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the investment adviser and its affiliates, holds a major portion or all of such securities. Under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell such securities when the investment adviser believes it advisable to do so or may be able to sell such securities only at prices lower than if such securities were more widely held. Under such circumstances, it may also be more difficult to determine the fair value of such securities for purposes of computing the Funds net asset value. Illiquid securities may also include those legally restricted as to resale, and securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A thereunder. Rule 144A securities may be treated as liquid securities if the investment adviser determines that such treatment is warranted. Even if determined to be liquid, holdings of these securities may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing them.
The secondary market for some municipal obligations issued within a state (including issues which are privately placed with the Fund) is less liquid than that for taxable debt obligations or other more widely traded municipal obligations. The Fund will not purchase illiquid securities if more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are not readily marketable. No established resale market exists for certain of the municipal obligations in which the Fund may invest. The market for obligations rated below investment grade is also likely to be less liquid than the market for higher rated obligations. As a result, the Fund may be unable to dispose of these municipal obligations at times when it would otherwise wish to do so at the prices at which they are valued.
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^
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.
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 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.
Temporary Investments. 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. These securities may be subject to federal income, state income and/or other taxes.
Portfolio Turnover. The Fund may sell (and later purchase) securities in anticipation of a market decline (a rise in interest rates) or purchase (and later sell) securities in anticipation of a market rise (a decline in interest rates). Securities may also be purchased and sold based on their relative value in the marketplace. The Fund cannot accurately predict its portfolio turnover rate, but it is anticipated that the annual portfolio turnover rate will generally not exceed 100% (excluding turnover of securities having a maturity of one year or less). A 100% annual turnover rate could occur, for example, if all the securities held by the Fund were replaced once in a period of one year. A high turnover rate (100% or more) necessarily involves greater expenses to the Fund. Historical turnover rate(s) are included in the Financial Highlights table(s) in the Prospectus.
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 or maintenance margin in connection with futures contracts or related options transactions is not considered the purchase of a security on margin; |
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
(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 1933 Act; |
(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) |
Purchase or sell physical commodities or contracts for the purchase or sale of physical commodities; or |
(6) |
Make loans to any person except by (a) the acquisition of debt instruments and making portfolio investments, (b) entering into repurchase agreements and (c) lending portfolio securities. |
In connection with Restriction (1) above, the 1940 Act currently permits investment companies to borrow money so long as there is 300% asset coverage of the borrowing ( i.e. , borrowings do not exceed one-third of the investment companys total assets after subtracting liabilities other than the borrowings). There is no current intent to borrow money except for the limited purposes described in the prospectus.
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.
In addition, to the extent a registered open-end investment company acquires securities of a portfolio in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) under the 1940 Act, such portfolio shall not acquire any securities of a registered open-end investment company in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) under the 1940 Act.
The following nonfundamental investment policies have been adopted by the Fund. A nonfundamental investment policy may be changed by the Trustees with respect to the Fund without approval by the Funds shareholders. The Fund will not:
The Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any one industry. For purposes of the foregoing policy, securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies, or instrumentalities are not considered to represent industries. Municipal obligations backed by the credit of a governmental entity are also not considered to represent industries. However, municipal obligations backed only by the assets and revenues of non-governmental users may for this purpose be deemed to be issued by such non-governmental users. The foregoing 25% limitation would apply to these issuers. As discussed in the prospectus and this SAI, the Fund may invest more than 25% of its total assets in certain economic sectors, such as revenue bonds, housing, hospitals and other health care facilities, utilities and industrial development bonds.
For purposes of the Funds investment restrictions and diversification status, the determination of the issuer of any obligation, including residual interest bonds, will be made by the Funds investment adviser on the basis of the characteristics of the obligation and other relevant factors, the most significant of which is the source of funds committed to meeting interest and principal payments of such obligations. The Funds investments in residual interest bonds and similar securities described in the prospectus and this SAI will not be considered borrowing for purposes of a Funds restrictions on borrowing described herein and in the prospectus.
Whenever an investment policy or investment restriction set forth in the Prospectus or this SAI states a maximum percentage of assets that may be invested in any security or other asset, or describes a policy regarding quality standards, such percentage limitation or standard shall be determined immediately after and as a result of the acquisition by the Fund of such security or asset. Accordingly, any later increase or decrease resulting from a change in values, assets or other circumstances or any subsequent rating change made by a rating service (or as determined by the investment adviser if the security is not rated by a rating agency), will not compel the Fund to dispose of such security or other asset. However, the Fund must always be in compliance with the
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
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, EVC refers to Eaton Vance Corp., EV refers to Eaton Vance, Inc. and EVD refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (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 | |||||
Trust/Portfolio | Term of Office and | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years | Overseen By | Other Directorships Held | |
Name and Year of Birth | Position(s) | Length of Service |
and Other Relevant Experience |
Trustee (1) | During Last Five Years (2) |
Interested Trustee | |||||
THOMAS E. FAUST JR. | Trustee | Since 2007 | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and | 179 | Director of EVC. |
1958 | President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of Eaton Vance | ||||
and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of 179 | |||||
registered investment companies and 1 private investment 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 | 179 | None |
1963 | Finance Unit Head, Harvard University Graduate School of Business | ||||
Administration. | |||||
ALLEN R. FREEDMAN | Trustee | Since 2007 | Private Investor. Former Chairman (2002-2004) and a Director | 179 | Director of Stonemor Partners L.P. |
1940 | (1983-2004) of Systems & Computer Technology Corp. (provider of | (owner and operator of | |||
software to higher education). Formerly, a Director of Loring Ward | cemeteries). Formerly, Director of | ||||
International (fund distributor) (2005-2007). Former, Chairman and | Assurant, Inc. (insurance | ||||
a Director of Indus International, Inc. (provider of enterprise | provider) (1979-2011). | ||||
management software to the power generating industry) (2005- | |||||
2007). Former Chief Executive Officer of Assurant, Inc. (insurance | |||||
provider) (1979-2000). | |||||
WILLIAM H. PARK | Trustee | Since 2003 | Consultant and private investor. Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, | 179 | None |
1947 | Aveon Group, L.P. ( investment management firm) (2010-2011). | ||||
Formerly Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. | |||||
(specialty finance company) (2006-2010). 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 | |||||
(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, | 179 | None |
1940 | 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). |
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Number of Portfolios | |||||
in Fund Complex | |||||
Trust/Portfolio | Term of Office and | Principal Occupation(s) During Past Five Years | Overseen By | Other Directorships Held | |
Name and Year of Birth | Position(s) | Length of Service |
and Other Relevant Experience |
Trustee (1) | During Last Five Years (2) |
HELEN FRAME PETERS | Trustee | Since 2008 | Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. | 179 | Director of BJs Wholesale Club, |
1948 | 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). | |||||
LYNN A. STOUT | Trustee | Since 1998 | Paul Hastings Professor of Corporate and Securities Law (since 2006) | 179 | None |
1957 | and Professor 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 | 179 | None |
1943 | 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 Street 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 Trust (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 (if applicable) 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 ^ eight Trustees, including ^ seven 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
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
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 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. The Board also interacts with the CCO and with senior personnel of the adviser, administrator, principal underwriter and other Fund service providers and provides input on risk management issues during meetings of the Board and its Committees. 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 . Moreover, it is necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Funds goals .
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 (if applicable), 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 (if applicable) 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 Trusts Declaration of Trust does not set forth any specific qualifications to serve as a Trustee. The Charter of the Governance Committee also does not set forth any specific qualifications, but does set forth certain factors that the Committee may take into account in considering Independent Trustee candidates. In general, no one factor is decisive in the selection of an individual to join the Board. Among the factors the Board considers when concluding that an individual should serve on the Board are the following: (i) knowledge in matters relating to the mutual fund industry; (ii) experience as a director or senior officer of public companies; (iii) educational background; (iv) reputation for high ethical standards and professional integrity; (v) specific financial, technical or other expertise, and the extent to which such expertise would complement the Board of Trustees existing mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications; (vi) perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board of Trustees, including the ability and commitment to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the Board of Trustees; (vii) the ability to qualify as an Independent Trustee for purposes of the 1940 Act and any other actual or potential conflicts of interest involving the individual and the Fund; and (viii) such other factors as the Board determines to be relevant in light of the existing composition of the Board of Trustees.
Among the attributes or skills common to all Trustees are their ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the other Trustees, management, sub-advisers, other service providers, counsel and independent registered public accounting firms, and to exercise effective and independent business judgment in the performance of their duties as Trustees. Each Trustees ability to perform his or her duties effectively has been attained through the Trustees business, consulting, public service and/or academic positions and through experience from service as a Board member in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds (and/or in other capacities, including for any predecessor funds), public companies, or non-profit
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
entities or other organizations as set forth below. Each Trustees ability to perform his or her duties effectively also has been enhanced by his or her educational background, professional training, and/or other life experiences.
In respect of each current Trustee, the individuals substantial professional accomplishments and experience, including in fields related to the operations of the Eaton Vance Group of Funds, were a significant factor in the determination that the individual should serve as a Trustee. The following is a summary of each Trustees particular professional experience and additional considerations that contributed to the Boards conclusion that he or she should serve as a Trustee:
Benjamin C. Esty. Mr. Esty has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 2005 and is the Chairperson of the Portfolio Management Committee. He is the Roy and Elizabeth Simmons Professor of Business Administration and Finance Unit Head at the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration.
Thomas E. Faust Jr. Mr. Faust has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 2007. He is currently Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of Eaton Vance and BMR, and Director of EVD. Mr. Faust previously served as an equity analyst, portfolio manager, Director of Equity Research and Management and Chief Investment Officer of Eaton Vance (1985-2007). He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. Mr. Faust has been a Chartered Financial Analyst since 1988.
Allen R. Freedman. Mr. Freedman has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 2007. Mr. Freedman also serves as a Director of Stonemor Partners L.P. Mr. Freedman was previously a Director of Assurant, Inc. from 1979-2011, a Director of Systems & Computer Technology Corp. from 1983-2004 and Chairman from 2002-2004, a Director of Loring Ward International from 2005-2007 and Chairman and a Director of Indus International, Inc. from 2005-2007. Mr. Freedman was formerly the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fortis, Inc. (predecessor to Assurant, Inc.), a specialty insurance company he founded in 1978 and from which he retired in 2000. Mr. Freedman also previously served as a Director of the Fortis Mutual Funds. Mr. Freedman is a founding director of the Association of Audit Committee Members, Inc.
William H. Park. Mr. Park has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 2003 and is the Chairperson of the Audit Committee. Mr. Park was formerly the Chief Financial Officer of Aveon Group, L.P. from 2011-2010. Mr. Park also served as Vice Chairman of Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. from 2006-2010, as President and Chief Executive Officer of Prizm Capital Management, LLC from 2002-2005, as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United Asset Management Corporation from 1982-2001 and as Senior Manager of Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) from 1972-1981.
Ronald A. Pearlman. Mr. Pearlman has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 2003 and is the Chairperson of the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee. He is a Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center. Previously, Mr. Pearlman was Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax Policy) and Assistant Secretary (Tax Policy), U.S. Department of the Treasury from 1983-1985 and served as Chief of Staff, Joint Committee on Taxation, U.S. Congress from 1988-1990. Engaged in the private practice of law from 1969-2000, with the exception of the periods of government service. Represented large domestic and multinational businesses in connection with the tax aspects of complex transactions and high net worth individuals in connection with tax and business planning.
Helen Frame Peters. Ms. Peters has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 2008. She is currently a Professor of Finance at Carroll School of Management, Boston College and a Director of BJs Wholesale Club, Inc. Formerly, Ms. Peters was the Dean of Carroll School of Management, Boston College from 2000-2002. In addition, Ms. Peters was the Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income at Scudder Kemper Investments from 1998-1999 and Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income at Colonial Management Associates from 1991-1998. Ms. Peters also served as a Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust from 2000-2009 and as a Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston from 2007-2009.
Lynn A. Stout. Ms. Stout has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 1998 and is the Chairperson of the Governance Committee. She has been the Paul Hastings Professor of Corporate and Securities Law at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law since 2006. Previously, Ms. Stout was Professor of Law at the University of California at Los Angeles School from 2001-2006.
Ralph F. Verni. Mr. Verni has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 2005 and is the Independent Chairperson of the Board and the Chairperson of the Contract Review Committee. Mr. Verni was formerly the Chief Investment Officer (from 1982-1992), Chief Financial Officer (from 1988-1990) and Director (from 1982-1992) of New England Life. Mr. Verni was also the Chairperson of the New England Mutual Funds from 1982-1992; President and Chief Executive Officer of State Street Management & Research from 1992-2000; Chairperson of the State Research Mutual Funds from 1992-2000; Director of W.P. Carey, LLC from 1998-2004; and Director of First Pioneer Farm Credit Corp. from 2002-2006. Mr. Verni has been a Chartered Financial Analyst since 1977.
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
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 ^ ) and ^ Peters , 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. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, the Governance Committee convened six times.
The Governance Committee will, when a vacancy exists or is anticipated, consider any nominee for noninterested Trustee recommended by a shareholder if such recommendation is submitted in writing to the Governance Committee, contains sufficient background information concerning the candidate, including evidence the candidate is willing to serve as a noninterested Trustee if selected for the position, and is received in a sufficiently timely manner.
Messrs. Park (Chair) and Verni, and Mmes. ^ Peters 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. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, the Audit Committee convened fourteen times.
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. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, the Contract Review Committee convened eight times.
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 ^ funds and portfolios , giving special attention to the performance of certain ^ funds and portfolios that it or the Board of Trustees identifies from time to time. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, the Portfolio Management Committee convened eight times.
^ Messrs . Pearlman (Chair) and ^ Park, and Ms . ^ 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. During the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee convened twelve times.
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Share Ownership. The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Fund and in all Eaton Vance Funds overseen by the Trustee as of ^ December 31, 2010 . ^
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity | ||
Securities Owned in All Registered | ||
Dollar Range of Equity Securities | Funds Overseen by Trustee in the | |
Name of Trustee | Owned in the Fund | Eaton Vance Fund Complex |
Interested Trustee | ||
Thomas E. Faust Jr. |
None | over $100,000 |
Noninterested Trustees | ||
Benjamin C. Esty |
None | over $100,000 |
Allen R. Freedman |
None | over $100,000 |
William H. Park |
None | over $100,000 |
Ronald A. Pearlman |
None | over $100,000 |
Helen Frame Peters |
None | over $100,000 |
Lynn A. Stout |
None | over $100,000* |
Ralph F. Verni |
None | over $100,000 |
* Includes shares which may be deemed to be beneficially owned through the Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan. |
As of ^ December 31, 2010 , 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, 2009 and December 31, 2010 , 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, 2009 and December 31, 2010 , no officer of EVC, EVD or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD served on the Board of Directors of a company where a noninterested Trustee of the Trust or any of their immediate family members served as an officer.
Trustees of the Trust 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 Trust 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 Trust to retain the services of any Trustee or obligate the Trust 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 ended ^ January 31, 2011 , the Trustees of the Trust earned the following compensation in their capacities as Trustees from the Trust. For the year ended ^ December 31, 2010 , the Trustees earned the following compensation in their capacities as Trustees of the funds in the Eaton Vance fund complex (1) : ^
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
15 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Benjamin C. | Allen R. | William H. | Ronald A. | Helen Frame | Lynn A. | Ralph F. | |
Source of Compensation | Esty | Freedman | Park | Pearlman | Peters | Stout | Verni |
Trust (2) | $ 7,066 | $ 6,615 | $ 7,066 | $ 7,066 | $ 6,470 | $ 7,066 | $ 9,932 |
Trust and Fund Complex (1) | $230,000 | $210,000 | $230,000 | $230,000 | ^ $210,000 | $230,000 (3) | $325,000 (4) |
(1) | As of ^ June 1, 2011 , the Eaton Vance fund complex consists of ^ 179 registered investment companies or series thereof . Heidi L. Steiger resigned as a Trustee effective November 29, 2010. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, Ms. Steiger received Trustees fees of $4,227 from the Trust. For the calendar year ended December 31, 2010, she received $210,000 from the Trust and Fund Complex . |
(2) | The Trust consisted of ^ 5 Funds as of January 31, ^ 2011 . |
(3) | Includes $45,000 of deferred compensation. |
(4) | Includes $162,500 of deferred compensation. |
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
16 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Organization. The Fund is a series of the Trust, which was organized under Massachusetts law on October 25, 1993 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 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 adopted the proxy voting policies and procedures of the investment 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 recordkeeping 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 Adviser Policies, see Appendix F and Appendix G, 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
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
17 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Investment Advisory Services. The investment adviser manages the investments and affairs of the Fund and provides related office facilities and personnel subject to the supervision of the Trusts Board of Trustees. The investment adviser furnishes investment research, advice and supervision, furnishes an investment program and determines what securities will be purchased, held or sold by the Fund and what portion, if any, of the Funds assets will be held uninvested. The Investment Advisory Agreement requires the investment adviser to pay the salaries and fees of all officers and Trustees of the Trust who are members of the investment advisers organization and all personnel of the investment adviser performing services relating to research and investment activities.
For a description of the compensation that the Fund pays the investment adviser, see the prospectus. The following table sets forth the net assets of the Fund and the advisory fees for the three fiscal years ended ^ January 31, 2011 .
Net Assets at | Advisory Fee for Fiscal Years Ended | ||
January 31, 2011 | January 31, 2011 | January 31, 2010 | January 31, 2009 |
^$ 596,666,808 | ^$ 4,157,931 | ^$ 3,979,242 | ^$ 5,121,822 |
The Investment ^ Advisory Agreement with the investment adviser continues in effect from year to year so long as such continuance is approved at least annually (i) by the vote of a majority of the noninterested Trustees of the Trust cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and (ii) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Agreement may be terminated at any time without penalty on sixty (60) days written notice by the Board of Trustees of either party, or by vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and the Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment. The Agreement provides that the investment adviser may render services to others. The Agreement also provides that the investment adviser shall not be liable for any loss incurred in connection with the performance of its duties, or action taken or omitted under the Agreement, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder, or for any losses sustained in the acquisition, holding or disposition of any security or other investment.
Information About BMR and Eaton Vance. BMR and Eaton Vance are business trusts organized under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. EV serves as trustee of BMR and 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. 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 BMR and 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, principal underwriter, and the Fund have adopted Codes of Ethics governing personal securities transactions. Under the Codes, employees of Eaton Vance 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.
Portfolio Managers. The portfolio managers (each referred to as a portfolio manager) of the Fund are listed below. Each portfolio manager manages other investment companies and/or investment accounts in addition to the Fund. The following tables show, as of the Funds most recent fiscal year end, the number of accounts each 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 millions of dollars) in those accounts ^ .
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
18 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Number of | Total Assets of | Number of Accounts | Total Assets of Accounts | |
All Accounts | All Accounts | Paying a Performance Fee | Paying a Performance Fee | |
Cynthia J. Clemson | ||||
Registered Investment Companies | ^ 10 | ^$ 2,432.2 | 0 | $0 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 0 | $ 0 | 0 | $0 |
Other Accounts | 0 | $ 0 | 0 | $0 |
Thomas M. Metzold | ||||
Registered Investment Companies | ^ 7 | ^$ 6,185.6 | 0 | $0 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 0 | $ 0 | 0 | $0 |
Other Accounts | 0 | $ 0 | 0 | $0 |
Ms. Clemson owned between $10,001 - $50,000 of the Fund and Mr. Metzold did not beneficially own any shares of the Fund as of the Funds most recent fiscal year ended January 31, ^ 2011 . Ms. Clemson and Mr. Metzold both beneficially owned over $1,000,000 ^ in the Eaton Vance Family of Funds as of December 31, ^ 2010 .
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 which 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 BMR. Compensation of the investment advisers portfolio managers and other investment professionals has three primary components: (1) a base salary, (2) an annual cash bonus, and (3) annual stock-based compensation consisting of options to purchase shares of EVCs nonvoting common stock and restricted shares of EVCs nonvoting common stock. The investment advisers investment professionals also receive certain retirement, insurance and other benefits that are broadly available to the investment advisers employees. Compensation of the investment advisers investment professionals is reviewed primarily on an annual basis. Cash bonuses, stock-based compensation awards, and adjustments in base salary are typically paid or put into effect at or shortly after the October 31st fiscal year end of EVC.
Method to Determine Compensation. The investment adviser compensates its portfolio managers based primarily on the scale and complexity of their portfolio responsibilities and the total return performance of managed funds and accounts versus the benchmark(s) stated in the prospectus, as well as an appropriate peer group (as described below). In addition to rankings within peer groups of funds on the basis of absolute performance, consideration may also be given to relative risk-adjusted performance. Risk-adjusted performance measures include, but are not limited to, the Sharpe ratio. Performance is normally based on periods ending on the September 30th preceding fiscal year end. Fund performance is normally evaluated primarily versus peer groups of funds as determined by Lipper Inc. and/or Morningstar, Inc. When a funds peer group as determined by Lipper or Morningstar is deemed by the investment advisers management not to provide a fair comparison, performance may instead be evaluated primarily against a custom peer group. In evaluating the performance of a fund and its manager, primary emphasis is normally placed on three-year performance, with secondary consideration of performance over longer and shorter periods. For funds that are tax-managed or otherwise have an objective of after-tax returns, performance is measured net of taxes. For other funds, performance is evaluated on a pre-tax basis. For funds with an investment objective other than total return (such as current income), consideration will also be given to the funds success in achieving its objective. For managers responsible for multiple funds and accounts, investment performance is evaluated on an aggregate basis, based on averages or weighted averages among managed funds and accounts. Funds and accounts that have performance-based advisory fees are not accorded disproportionate weightings in measuring aggregate portfolio manager performance.
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
19 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
The compensation of portfolio managers with other job responsibilities (such as heading an investment group or providing analytical support to other portfolios) will include consideration of the scope of such responsibilities and the managers performance in meeting them.
The investment adviser seeks to compensate portfolio managers commensurate with their responsibilities and performance, and competitive with other firms within the investment management industry. The investment adviser participates in investment-industry compensation surveys and utilizes survey data as a factor in determining salary, bonus and stock-based compensation levels for portfolio managers and other investment professionals. Salaries, bonuses and stock-based compensation are also influenced by the operating performance of the investment adviser and its parent company. The overall annual cash bonus pool is based on a substantially fixed percentage of pre-bonus operating income. While the salaries of the investment advisers portfolio managers are comparatively fixed, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may fluctuate significantly from year to year, based on changes in manager performance and other factors as described herein. For a high performing portfolio manager, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may represent a substantial portion of total compensation.
Administrative Services. As indicated in the Prospectus, Eaton Vance serves as administrator of the Fund, but currently receives no compensation for providing administrative services to the Fund. Under its Administrative Services Agreement, Eaton Vance has been engaged to administer the Funds affairs, subject to the supervision of the Trustees of the Trust, and shall furnish office space and all necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel for administering the affairs of the Fund.
Sub-Transfer Agency Services. Eaton Vance also serves as sub-transfer agent for the Fund. As sub-transfer agent, Eaton Vance performs the following services directly on behalf of the Fund: (1) provides call center services to financial intermediaries and shareholders; (2) answers written inquiries related to shareholder accounts (matters relating to portfolio management, distribution of shares and other management policy questions will be referred to the Fund); (3) furnishes an SAI to any shareholder who requests one in writing or by telephone from the Fund; and (4) processes transaction requests received via telephone. For the sub-transfer agency services it provides, Eaton Vance receives an aggregate annual fee equal to the lesser of $2.5 million or the actual expenses incurred by Eaton Vance in the performance of those services. This fee is paid to Eaton Vance by the Funds transfer agent from fees it receives from the Eaton Vance funds. The Fund will pay a pro rata share of such fee. For the fiscal year ended ^ January 31, 2011 , the transfer agent accrued for or paid to Eaton Vance ^$ 14,164 for sub-transfer agency services performed on behalf of the Fund.
Expenses. The Fund is responsible for all expenses not expressly stated to be payable by another party (such as expenses required to be paid pursuant to an agreement with the investment adviser, the principal underwriter or the administrator). In the case of expenses incurred by the Trust, the Fund is responsible for its pro rata share of those expenses. 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, Massachusetts 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.
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
20 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
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 Investment ^ Servicing (US) Inc. , P.O. Box 9653, Providence, RI 02940-9653, serves as transfer and dividend disbursing agent for the Fund.
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of 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 Fund) by subtracting the liabilities of the Fund from the value of its total assets. The Fund will be closed for business and will not price its shares on the following business holidays 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.
Inasmuch as the market for municipal obligations is a dealer market with no central trading location or continuous quotation system, it is not feasible to obtain last transaction prices for most municipal obligations held by the Fund, and such obligations, including those purchased on a when-issued basis, will normally be valued on the basis of valuations furnished by a pricing service. The pricing service uses information with respect to transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in comparable securities, various relationships between securities, and yield to maturity in determining value. Taxable obligations, if any, are normally valued on the basis of valuations furnished by a pricing service. Open futures positions on debt securities are valued at the most recent settlement prices, unless such price does not reflect the fair value of the contract, in which case the positions will be valued by or at the direction of the Trustees. Other assets are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees considering relevant factors, data and information including the market value of freely tradable securities of the same class in the principal market on which such securities are normally traded.
PURCHASING AND REDEEMING SHARES |
Additional Information About Purchases. Fund shares are offered for sale only in states where they are registered. Fund shares are continuously offered through 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.
Class I Share Purchases. Class I shares are available for purchase by 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; certain persons affiliated with Eaton Vance and certain Fund service providers; current and retired Directors and Trustees of Eaton Vance funds; employees of Eaton Vance and its affiliates and such persons spouses, parents, siblings and lineal descendants and their beneficial accounts.
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 prinicpal underwriter. The Class A, Class B 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.
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
21 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
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. 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 platform, (4) to officers and employees of the Fund custodian and the 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. If the sales charge rate changes during the 13-month period, all shares purchased or charges assessed after the date of such change will be subject to the then applicable sales charge.
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 ^ 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.
Conversion Feature. Class B shares held for eight years will automatically convert to Class A shares. For purposes of this conversion, all distributions paid on Class B shares which the shareholder elects to reinvest in Class B shares will be considered to be held in a separate sub-account. Upon the conversion of Class B shares not acquired through the reinvestment of distributions, a pro rata portion of the Class B shares held in the sub-account will also convert to Class A shares. This portion will be determined by the ratio that the Class B shares being converted bears to the total of Class B shares (excluding shares acquired through reinvestment) in the account. This conversion feature is subject to the continuing availability of a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel that the conversion is not taxable for federal income tax purposes.
^
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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 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 also has in effect a compensation-type Distribution ^ Plan (the Class B and Class C Plans) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 ^ Act for the Funds Class B and Class C shares . On each sale of shares (excluding reinvestment of distributions) a Class will pay the principal underwriter amounts representing (i) sales commissions equal to 5% for Class B shares and 6.25% for Class C shares of the amount received by the Fund for each Class share sold and (ii) interest at the rate of 1% over the prime rate then reported in The Wall Street Journal applied to the outstanding amounts owed to the principal underwriter, so-called uncovered distribution charges. Each Class 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 currently pays an up-front sales commission (except on exchange transactions and reinvestments) of 4% of the purchase price of Class B shares and 0.75% of the purchase price of Class C shares, and an up-front service fee of 0.25% on Class C shares. Distribution fees paid by ^ a Class and CDSCs paid to the Fund by redeeming Class shareholders reduce the outstanding uncovered distribution charges of the Class. Whenever there are no outstanding uncovered distribution charges of ^ a Class, the Class discontinues payment of distribution fees.
The Trustees of the Trust believe that each 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 B and Class C ^ Plans 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 B and Class C shares. Because payments to the principal underwriter under the Class B and Class C ^ Plans are limited, uncovered distribution charges (sales expenses of the principal underwriter plus interest, less the above fees and CDSCs received by it) may exist indefinitely. For sales commissions, CDSCs and uncovered distribution charges, see Appendix B and Appendix C.
The Class B and Class C Plans also authorize 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 B, this fee is paid monthly in arrears based on the value of shares sold by such persons. 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 and Appendix C.
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 June 23, 1997 ^ . 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
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the maximum of any initial sales charge from the initial $1,000 purchase, (iii) a complete redemption of the investment at the end of the period, and (iv) the deduction of any applicable CDSC at the end of the period.
Average annual total return after the deduction of taxes on distributions is calculated in the same manner as pre-tax return except the calculation assumes that any federal income taxes due on distributions are deducted from the distributions before they are reinvested. Average annual total return after the deduction of taxes on distributions and taxes on redemption also is calculated in the same manner as pre-tax return except the calculation assumes that (i) any federal income taxes due on distributions are deducted from the distributions before they are reinvested and (ii) any federal income taxes due upon redemption are deducted at the end of the period. After-tax returns are based on the highest federal income tax rates in effect for individual taxpayers as of the time of each assumed distribution and redemption (taking into account their tax character), and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. In calculating after-tax returns, t he net value of any federal income tax credits available to shareholders is applied to reduce federal income taxes payable on distributions at or near year-end and, to the extent the net value of such credits exceeds such distributions, is then assumed to be reinvested in additional Fund shares at net asset value on the last day of the fiscal year in which the credit was generated or, in the case of certain tax credits, on the date on which the year-end distribution is paid. For pre-tax and after-tax total return information, see Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C and Appendix D.
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.
Yield is computed pursuant to a standardized formula by dividing the net investment income per share earned during a recent thirty-day period by the maximum offering price (including the maximum of any initial sales charge) per share on the last day of the period and annualizing the resulting figure. Net investment income per share is calculated from the yields to maturity of all debt obligations held based on prescribed methods, reduced by accrued expenses for the period with the resulting number being divided by the average daily number of shares outstanding and entitled to receive distributions during the period. Yield figures do not reflect the deduction of any applicable CDSC, but assume the maximum of any initial sales charge. (Actual yield may be affected by variations in sales charges on investments.) A tax-equivalent yield is computed by using the tax-exempt yield and dividing by one minus a stated tax rate. The stated tax rate will reflect the federal income tax applicable to investors in a particular tax bracket and may reflect certain assumptions relating to tax exemptions and deductions. The tax-equivalent yield will differ for investors in other tax brackets or for whom the assumed exemptions and deductions are not available. Tax-equivalent yield is designed to show the approximate yield a taxable investment would have to earn to produce an after-tax yield equal to the tax-exempt yield.
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. See the Funds Prospectus for information on disclosure made in filings with the SEC and/or posted on the Eaton Vance website and disclosure of certain portfolio characteristics. Pursuant to the Policies, information about portfolio holdings of the Fund may ^ also be disclosed ^ as follows:
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The Fund, the investment adviser and principal underwriter will not receive any monetary or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of information concerning the Funds portfolio holdings.
The Policies may not be waived, or exception made, without the consent of the 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 (including tax-exempt 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 qualified as a RIC for its fiscal year ended January 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. ^ The Code ^ 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.
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 98.2% 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)
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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 for federal tax purposes, the Fund should not be liable for any income, corporate excise or franchise tax in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, ^ 2013 , the long-term capital gain rate is scheduled to return to 20% . The maximum rates for ordinary income and short-term capital gain are scheduled to increase to 39 . 6% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013.
^
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 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 investment in zero coupon and certain other securities will cause it to realize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to these securities. Such income will be accrued daily by the Fund and, in order to avoid a tax payable by the Fund, the Fund may be required to liquidate securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold in order to generate cash so that the Fund may make required distributions to its shareholders.
The Fund may invest to a significant extent in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities and how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income.
Distributions by the Fund of net tax-exempt interest income that are properly designated as exempt-interest dividends may be treated by shareholders as interest excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes under Section 103(a) of the Code. In order for the Fund to be entitled to pay the tax-exempt interest income as exempt-interest dividends to its shareholders, the Fund must and intends to satisfy certain requirements, including the requirement that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of obligations the interest on which is exempt from regular federal income tax under Code Section 103(a). Interest on certain municipal obligations may be taxable for purposes of the federal AMT and for state and local purposes. In addition, corporate shareholders must include the full amount of exempt-interest dividends in computing the preference items for the purposes of the AMT. Shareholders of the Fund are required to report tax-exempt interest on their federal income tax returns.
Tax-exempt distributions received from the Fund are taken into account in determining, and may increase, the portion of social security and certain railroad retirement benefits that may be subject to federal income tax.
Interest on indebtedness incurred by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares of the fund will not be deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Furthermore, a portion of any exempt-interest dividend paid by the fund that represents income derived from certain revenue or private activity bonds held by the fund may not retain its tax-exempt status in the hands of a shareholder who is a substantial user of a facility financed by such bonds, or a related person thereof. In addition, the receipt of dividends and distributions from the fund may affect a foreign corporate shareholders federal branch profits tax liability and the federal excess net passive income tax liability of a shareholder of a Subchapter S corporation. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors as to whether they are (i) substantial users with respect to a facility or related to such users within the meaning of the Code or (ii) subject to a federal alternative minimum tax, the federal branch profits tax, or the federal excess net passive income tax.
Any recognized gain or income attributable to market discount on long-term tax-exempt municipal obligations ( i.e. , obligations with a term of more than one year) purchased after April 30, 1993 (except to the extent of a portion of the discount attributable to original issue discount), is taxable as ordinary income. A long-term debt obligation is generally treated as acquired at a market discount if purchased after its original issue at a price less than (i) the stated principal amount payable at maturity, in the case of an obligation that does not have original issue discount or (ii) in the case of an obligation that does have original issue discount, the sum of the issue price and any original issue discount that accrued before the obligation was purchased, subject to a de minimis exclusion.
From time to time proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating the federal income tax exemption for interest on certain types of municipal obligations, and it can be expected that similar proposals may be introduced in the future. As a result of any such future legislation, the availability of municipal obligations for investment by the Fund and the value of the securities held by it may be affected. It is possible that events occurring after the date of issuance of municipal
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obligations, or after a Funds acquisition of such an obligation, may result in a determination that the interest paid on that obligation is taxable, even retroactively.
In the course of managing its investments, the Fund may realize some short-term and long-term capital gains (and/or losses) as well as other taxable income. Any distributions by the Fund of its share of such capital gains (after reduction by any capital loss carryforwards) or other taxable income would be taxable to shareholders of the Fund. However, it is expected that such amounts, if any, would normally be insubstantial in relation to the tax-exempt interest earned by the Fund.
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 ^ investments 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.
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.
In certain situations, the Fund may, for a taxable year, defer all or a portion of its capital losses realized after October until the next taxable year in computing its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, which will defer the recognition of such realized losses. Such deferrals and other rules regarding gains and losses realized after October may affect the tax character of shareholder distributions.
Any loss realized upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares with a tax holding period of six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any distributions treated as tax-exempt interest with respect to such shares and if the loss exceeds the disallowed amount, 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) on or before January 31 of the following calendar year 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.
^ Beginning in 2013, the Code ^ will impose a ^ 3.8% Medicare contribution 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
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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 ^ .
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 ^ or "foreign shareholder" ) 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, ^ 2012 , properly- ^ reported dividends ^ are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (i) ^ are paid in respect of the Funds qualified net interest income (generally, the ^ Fund s 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) ^ are 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 ^ may report 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 ^ will need 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 ^ may withhold even if the Fund ^ reports 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. ^
^ For taxable years beginning before January 1, ^ 2012 , distributions that the Fund ^ reports as short-term capital gain dividends or long-term capital gain dividends ^ will not ^ be treated as such to a recipient foreign shareholder if the distribution ^ is 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 ^ Fund s direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property exceeded certain levels. Instead, if the foreign shareholder ^ has 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 ^ will be subject to 30% withholding by the Fund and ^ will be 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 ^ will be treated as real property gain subject to 35% withholding tax and could subject the foreign shareholder to U.S. filing requirements. Additionally, if the ^ Fund s 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, ^ 2011 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 ^ . It is not expected that a significant portion of the Funds interest will be in U.S. real property.
In addition, the same rules apply with respect to distributions to a foreign shareholder from the Fund and redemptions of a foreign shareholders interest in the Fund attributable to a REITs distribution to the Fund of gain from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property or an interest in a U.S. real property holding corporation, if the Funds direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property were to exceed certain levels. The rule with respect to distributions and redemptions attributable to a REITs distribution to the Fund will not expire for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012.
The rules laid out in the previous two paragraphs, other than the withholding rules, will apply notwithstanding the Funds participation in a wash sale transaction or its payment of a substitute dividend.
Provided that 50% or more of the value of the Funds stock is held by U.S. shareholders, distributions of U.S. real property interests (including securities in a U.S. real property holding corporation, unless such corporation is regularly traded on an established securities market and the Fund has held 5% or less of the outstanding shares of the corporation during the five-year period ending on the date of distribution) occurring on or before December 31, 2011, in redemption of a foreign shareholders shares of the Fund will cause the Fund to recognize gain. If the Fund is required to recognize gain, the amount of gain recognized will equal to the fair market value of such interests over the Funds adjusted bases to the extent of the greatest foreign ownership percentage of the Fund during the five-year period ending on the date of redemption.
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
29 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
^ Beginning with payments made after December 31, 2012, 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 . 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 exchanges), at a rate of 28% for amounts paid through ^ 2012 . 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 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 BMR, the Funds 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.
Municipal obligations, including state obligations, purchased and sold by the Fund are generally traded in the over-the-counter market on a net basis ( i.e. , without commission) through broker-dealers and banks acting for their own account rather than as brokers, or otherwise involve transactions directly with the issuer of such obligations. Such firms attempt to profit from such transactions by buying at the bid price and selling at the higher asked price of the market for such obligations, and the difference between the bid and asked price is customarily referred to as the spread. The Fund may also purchase municipal obligations from underwriters, and dealers in fixed-price offerings, the cost of which may include undisclosed fees and concessions to the underwriters. On occasion it may be necessary or appropriate to purchase or sell a security through a broker on an agency basis, in which case the Fund will incur a brokerage commission. Although spreads or commissions on portfolio security transactions will, in the judgment of the investment adviser, be reasonable in relation to the value of the services provided, spreads or commissions exceeding those which another firm might charge may be paid to firms who were selected to execute transactions on behalf of the Fund and the investment advisers other clients for providing brokerage and research services to the investment adviser.
^
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
30 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Pursuant to the safe harbor provided in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), a broker or dealer who executes a portfolio transaction may receive a commission that is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the investment adviser determines in good faith that such compensation was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. This determination may be made either on the basis of that particular transaction or on the basis of 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 ^ 1934 Act. 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 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 advisers 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 1934 Act.
The investment companies sponsored by the investment adviser or its affiliates may also allocate trades in such offerings to acquire information relating to the performance, fees and expenses of such companies and other ^ investment companies , which information is used by the Trustees of such companies to fulfill their responsibility to oversee the quality of the services provided by various entities, including the investment adviser, to such companies. Such companies may also pay cash for such information.
Municipal obligations 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,
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
31 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
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.
The following table shows brokerage commissions paid during three fiscal years ended ^ January 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 , as well as the amount of Fund security transactions for the most recent fiscal year (if any) that were directed to firms that provided some Research Services to the investment adviser or its affiliates (see above), and the commissions paid in connection therewith. ^
Amount of Transactions | Commissions Paid on | ||
Fiscal Year | Brokerage | Directed to Firms | Transactions Directed to |
End | Commission Paid | Providing Research | Firms Providing Research |
^ January 31, 2011 | ^$ 10,392 | $0 | $0 |
^ January 31, 2010 | ^$ 21,434 | ||
^ January 31, 2009 | ^$ 11,746 |
As of ^ January 31, 2011 , the Fund held no securities of its regular brokers or dealers, as that term is defined in Rule 10b-1 of the 1940 Act.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
The audited financial statements of, and the ^ report of the independent registered public accounting firm for ^ the Fund appear in its annual report to shareholders and are incorporated by reference into this SAI. A copy of the annual report accompanies this SAI.
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.
Registrant incorporates by reference the audited financial information and the report of the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, as previously filed electronically with the SEC (Accession No. 0000950123-11-030133).
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
32 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
APPENDIX A |
Class A Fees, Performance & Ownership |
Sales Charges and Distribution and Service Fees. For the fiscal year ended ^ January 31, 2011 , the following table shows (1) total sales charges paid by the Fund, (2) sales charges paid to financial intermediaries, (3) sales charges paid to the principal underwriter, (4) approximate CDSC payments to the principal underwriter, (5) total distribution and service fees paid by the Fund, and (6) distribution and service fees paid to financial intermediaries. Distribution and service fees that were not paid to financial intermediaries were retained by the principal underwriter ^ .
CDSC Paid to | Total Distribution | Distribution and Service Fees | |||
Total Sales | Sales Charges to | Sales Charges to | Principal | and Service | Paid to |
Charges Paid | Financial Intermediaries | Principal Underwriter | Underwriter | Fees Paid | Financial Intermediaries |
^$ 706,361 | ^$ 609,124 | ^$ 97,237 | ^$ 35,000 | ^$ 1,164,830 | ^$ 896,188 |
For the fiscal years ended ^ January 31, 2010 and January 31, 2009 , total sales charges of ^$ 1,021,926 and $682,508 , respectively, were paid on sales of Class A, of which the principal underwriter received $80,701 and $30,246, respectively. The balance of such amounts was paid to financial intermediaries.
Performance Information. The table below indicates the average annual total return (both before and after taxes) on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 in this Class of shares for the periods shown in the table. Any performance presented with an asterisk (*) includes the effect of subsidizing expenses. Performance would have been lower without subsidies.
Total returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or public offering price with all distributions reinvested. The Funds past performance (both before and after taxes) is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of Fund shares will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, the Funds current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For the Funds performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to www.eatonvance.com.
About Returns After Taxes. After-tax returns are calculated using certain assumptions. After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholders tax situation and the actual characterization of distributions, and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders who hold shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. Return After Taxes on Distributions for a period may be the same as Return Before Taxes for that period because no taxable distributions were made during that period, or because the taxable portion of distributions made during the period was insignificant. Also, Return After Taxes on Distributions and the sale of Fund Shares for a period may be greater than or equal to Return After Taxes on Distributions for the same period because of losses realized on the sale of Fund shares. ^
Length of Period Ended January 31, 2011 | |||
Average Annual Total Return: |
One Year | Five Years | Ten Years |
Before Taxes and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge |
- 0.35 % | - 0.83 % | 3.21 % |
Before Taxes and Including Maximum Sales Charge |
- 5.04 % | 1.79 % | 2.70 % |
After Taxes on Distributions and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge |
- 0.39 % | - 0.85 % | 3.19 % |
After Taxes on Distributions and Including Maximum Sales Charge |
- 5.08 % | 1.81 % | 2.69 % |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge |
1.93 % | 0.12 % | 3.63 % |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Including Maximum Sales Charge |
- 1.22 % | - 0.70 % | 3.18 % |
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities. At ^ May 1, 2011 , the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of this Class of the Fund. In addition, as of the same date, the following person(s) held the share percentage indicated below, which was owned either (i) beneficially by such person(s) or (ii) of record by such person(s) on behalf of customers who are the beneficial owners of such shares and as to which such record owner(s) may exercise voting rights under certain limited circumstances: ^
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
33 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. | Jacksonville, FL | ^ 9.5 % |
^ American Enterprise Investment Services | ^ Minneapolis, MN | 7.6% |
Morgan Stanley | Jersey City, NJ | ^ 7.2 % |
Pershing LLC | Jersey City, NJ | ^ 6.9 % |
To the knowledge of the Trust, no other person owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of this Class of the Fund as of such date.
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
34 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
APPENDIX B |
Class B Fees, Performance & Ownership |
Distribution and Service Fees. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, the following table shows (1) sales commissions paid by the principal underwriter to financial intermediaries on sales of Class B shares, (2) distribution fees paid to the principal underwriter under the Distribution Plan, (3) approximate CDSC payments to the principal underwriter, (4) uncovered distribution charges under the Distribution Plan (dollar amount and as a percentage of net assets attributable to Class B), (5) service fees paid under the Distribution Plan, and (6) service fees paid to financial intermediaries. The service fees paid by the Fund that were not paid to financial intermediaries were retained by the principal underwriter ^ .
Commission Paid | |||||
by Principal | Distribution Fee | Service Fees | |||
Underwriter to | Paid to | CDSC Paid to | Uncovered Distribution | Service | Paid to |
Financial Intermediaries | Principal Underwriter | Principal Underwriter | Charges | Fees | Financial Intermediaries |
^$ 92,081 | ^$ 301,892 | ^$ 66,000 | ^$ 22,571,000 (71.9%) | ^$ 100,631 | ^$ 89,256 |
Performance Information. The table below indicates the average annual total return (both before and after taxes) on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 in this Class of shares for the periods shown in the table. Any performance presented with an asterisk (*) includes the effect of subsidizing expenses. Performance would have been lower without subsidies.
Total returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or public offering price with all distributions reinvested. The Funds past performance (both before and after taxes) is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of Fund shares will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, the Funds current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For the Funds performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to www.eatonvance.com.
About Returns After Taxes. After-tax returns are calculated using certain assumptions. After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholders tax situation and the actual characterization of distributions, and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders who hold shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. Return After Taxes on Distributions for a period may be the same as Return Before Taxes for that period because no taxable distributions were made during that period, or because the taxable portion of distributions made during the period was insignificant. Also, Return After Taxes on Distributions and the sale of Fund Shares for a period may be greater than or equal to Return After Taxes on Distributions for the same period because of losses realized on the sale of Fund shares. ^
Length of Period Ended ^ January 31, 2011 | |||
Average Annual Total Return: | One Year | Five Years | Ten Years |
Before Taxes and Before Deducting CDSC | 1.09 % | 1.56 % | 2.46 % |
Before Taxes and After Deducting CDSC | 5.78 % | 1.87 % | 2.56 % |
After Taxes on Distributions and Before Deducting CDSC | 1.13 % | 1.57 % | 2.45 % |
After Taxes on Distributions and After Deducting CDSC | 5.82 % | 1.89 % | 2.45 % |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Before Deducting CDSC | 1.18 % | 0.60 % | 2.89 % |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and After Deducting CDSC | 1.87 % | 0.86 % | 2.89 % |
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities. At ^ May 1, 2011 , the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of this Class of the Fund. In addition, as of the same date, the following person(s) held the share percentage indicated below, which was owned either (i) beneficially by such person(s) or (ii) of record by such person(s) on behalf of customers who are the beneficial owners of such shares and as to which such record owner(s) may exercise voting rights under certain limited circumstances: ^
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. | Jacksonville, FL | ^ 19.3 % |
Pershing LLC | Jersey City, NJ | ^ 8.1 % |
To the knowledge of the Trust, no other person owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of this Class of the Fund as of such date.
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
35 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
APPENDIX C |
Class C Fees, Performance & Ownership |
Distribution and Service Fees. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, the following table shows (1) sales commissions paid by the principal underwriter to financial intermediaries on sales of Class C shares, (2) distribution fees paid to the principal underwriter under the Distribution Plan, (3) approximate CDSC payments to the principal underwriter, ^ (4) uncovered distribution charges (if applicable) under the Distribution Plan (dollar amount and as a percentage of net assets attributable to Class C), (5) service fees paid under the Distribution Plan, and ^ (6) service fees paid to financial intermediaries. The service fees paid by the Fund that were not paid to financial intermediaries were retained by the principal underwriter ^ .
Commission Paid | |||||
by Principal | Distribution Fee | Uncovered | Service Fees | ||
Underwriter to | Paid to | CDSC Paid to | Distribution Charges | Service | Paid to |
Financial Intermediaries | Principal Underwriter | Principal Underwriter | (as a % of Class Net Assets) | Fees | Financial Intermediaries |
^$ 1,139,562 | ^$ 1,228,522 | ^$ 22,000 | ^$ 29,089,000 (20.8%) | ^$ 409,507 | ^$ 379,854 |
Performance Information. The table below indicates the average annual total return (both before and after taxes) on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 in this Class of shares for the periods shown in the table. Any performance presented with an asterisk (*) includes the effect of subsidizing expenses. Performance would have been lower without subsidies.
Total returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or public offering price with all distributions reinvested. The Funds past performance (both before and after taxes) is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of Fund shares will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, the Funds current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For the Funds performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to www.eatonvance.com.
About Returns After Taxes. After-tax returns are calculated using certain assumptions. After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholders tax situation and the actual characterization of distributions, and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders who hold shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. Return After Taxes on Distributions for a period may be the same as Return Before Taxes for that period because no taxable distributions were made during that period, or because the taxable portion of distributions made during the period was insignificant. Also, Return After Taxes on Distributions and the sale of Fund Shares for a period may be greater than or equal to Return After Taxes on Distributions for the same period because of losses realized on the sale of Fund shares. ^
Length of Period Ended ^ January 31, 2011 | |||
Average Annual Total Return: | One Year | Five Years | Ten Years |
Before Taxes and Before Deducting CDSC | 1.02 % | 1.54 % | 2.46 % |
Before Taxes and After Deducting CDSC | 1.96 % | 1.54 % | 2.46 % |
After Taxes on Distributions and Before Deducting CDSC | 1.06 % | 1.56 % | 2.45 % |
After Taxes on Distributions and After Deducting CDSC | 2.00 % | 1.56 % | 2.45 % |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Before Deducting CDSC | 1.23 % | 0.59 % | 2.88 % |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and After Deducting CDSC | 0.62 % | 0.59 % | 2.88 % |
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities. At May 1, 2011, the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of this Class of the Fund. In addition, as of the same date, the following person(s) held the share percentage indicated below, which was owned either (i) beneficially by such person(s) or (ii) of record by such person(s) on behalf of customers who are the beneficial owners of such shares and as to which such record owner(s) may exercise voting rights under certain limited circumstances: ^
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. | Jacksonville, FL | ^ 26.1 % |
Beneficial owners of 25% or more of this Class of the Fund are presumed to be in control of the Class for purposes of voting on certain matters submitted to shareholders.
To the knowledge of the Trust, no other person owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of this Class of the Fund as of such date.
Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
36 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
APPENDIX D |
Class I Performance & Ownership |
Performance Information. The table below indicates the average annual total return (both before and after taxes) on a hypothetical investment of $1,000 in this Class of shares for the period shown in the table. Total return for the period prior to May 9, 2007 reflects the total return of Class A, adjusted to reflect the fact that Class I does not impose a sales charge. The Class A total return has not been adjusted to reflect certain other expenses (such as distribution and/or service fees). If such adjustments were made, the Class I total return would be different. Any performance presented with an asterisk (*) includes the effect of subsidizing expenses. Performance would have been lower without subsidies.
Total returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or public offering price with all distributions reinvested. The Funds past performance (both before and after taxes) is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of Fund shares will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, the Funds current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For the Funds performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to www.eatonvance.com.
About Returns After Taxes. After-tax returns are calculated using certain assumptions. After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on a shareholders tax situation and the actual characterization of distributions, and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns are not relevant to shareholders who hold shares in tax-deferred accounts or to shares held by non-taxable entities. Return After Taxes on Distributions for a period may be the same as Return Before Taxes for that period because no taxable distributions were made during that period, or because the taxable portion of distributions made during the period was insignificant. Also, Return After Taxes on Distributions and the sale of Fund Shares for a period may be greater than or equal to Return After Taxes on Distributions for the same period because of losses realized on the sale of Fund shares. ^
Length of Period Ended ^ January 31, 2011 | |||
Average Annual Total Return: | One Year | Five Years | Ten Years |
Before Taxes | 0.12 % | 0.64 % | 3.30 % |
After Taxes on Distributions | 0.16 % | 2.67 % | 1.97 % |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption | 2.17 % | 1.35 % | 2.40 % |
Class I commenced operations on May 9, 2007. |
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities. At May 1, 2011, the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of this Class of the Fund. In addition, as of the same date, the following person(s) held the share percentage indicated below, which was owned either (i) beneficially by such person(s) or (ii) of record by such person(s) on behalf of customers who are the beneficial owners of such shares and as to which such record owner(s) may exercise voting rights under certain limited circumstances: ^
^ Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | ^ Owings Mills, MD | ^ 57.6 % |
^ Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. | ^ Jacksonville, FL | ^ 22.5 % |
Beneficial owners of 25% or more of this Class of the Fund are presumed to be in control of the Class for purposes of voting on certain matters submitted to shareholders.
To the knowledge of the Trust, no other person owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of this Class of the Fund as of such date.
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APPENDIX E |
RATINGS |
The ratings indicated herein are believed to be the most recent ratings available at the date of this SAI for the securities listed. Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuance. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no obligation to do so, and the ratings indicated do not necessarily represent ratings which would be given to these securities on a particular date.
MOODYS INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. (Moodys)
LONG-TERM CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS RATINGS
Moodys long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed-income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings use Moodys Global Scale and reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.
Aaa: Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
Aa: Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low risk.
A: Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa: Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba: Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B: Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa: Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca: Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C: Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Note: Moodys appends numerical modifiers, 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
SHORT-TERM CORPORATE OBLIGATION RATINGS
Moodys short term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.
P-1: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability ^ to repay short-term obligations.
NP: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime ratings categories.
ISSUER RATINGS
Issuer Ratings are opinions of the ability of entities to honor senior unsecured financial obligations and contracts. Moodys expresses Issuer Ratings on its general long-term and short-term scales.
US MUNICIPAL RATINGS
Moodys municipal ratings are opinions of the investment quality of issuers and issues in the U.S. municipal market. As such, these ratings incorporate assessment of the default probability and loss severity of these issuers and issues. The default and loss content for Moodys municipal long-term rating scale differs from Moodys general long-term scale. Historical default and loss rates for obligations rated on the US Municipal Scale are significantly lower that for similarly rated corporate obligations. It is important that users of Moodys ratings understand these differences when making rating comparisons between the Municipal and Global scales.
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US MUNICIPAL LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
Municipal Ratings are based upon the analysis of five primary factors related to municipal finance: market position, financial position, debt levels, governance, and covenants. Each of the factors is evaluated individually and for its effect on the other factors in the context of the municipalitys ability to repay its debt.
Aaa: Issuers or issues rated Aaa demonstrate the strongest creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Aa: Issuers or issues rated Aa demonstrate very strong creditworthiness relative to other US municipal and tax-exempt issuers.
A: Issuers or issues rated A present above-average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Baa: Issuers or issues rated Baa represent average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Ba: Issuers or issues rated Ba demonstrate below-average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
B: Issuers or issues rated B demonstrate weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Caa: Issuers or issues rated Caa demonstrate very weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Ca: Issuers or issues rated Ca demonstrate extremely weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
C: Issuers or issues rated Caa demonstrate the weakest creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Note: Moodys appends numerical modifiers, 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
US MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS AND DEMAND OBLIGATION RATINGS
Short-Term Obligation Ratings
There are three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels--MIG 1 through MIG 3. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expires at the maturity of the obligation.
MIG 1: This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-band access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2: This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3: This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG: This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins or protection.
Demand Obligation Ratings
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long or short-term rating and demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moodys evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moodys evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (demand feature), using a variation of the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or VMIG rating.
When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR., e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG.
VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issues specific structural or credit features.
VMIG 1: This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
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VMIG 2: This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 3: This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
SG: This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
STANDARD & POORS RATINGS GROUP (S&P)
ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS DEFINITIONS
Issue credit ratings can be either long or short term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days--including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicated the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put-features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the short-term rating addresses the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.
Issue credit ratings are based in varying degrees on the following considerations:
Likelihood of payment, capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation.
Nature of and provisions of the obligations;
Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors rights.
Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)
LONG-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS:
AAA: An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA: An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.
A: An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.
BBB: An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB, B, CCC, ^ CC and C
Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB: An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to non-payment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B: An obligation rated B is more vulnerable than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial or economic conditions will likely impair the obligors capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC: An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial or, economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
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CC: An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C: A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated C is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued. A C also will be assigned to a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is currently paying.
D: A obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
NR: This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
SHORT-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS
A-1: A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligation is extremely strong.
A-2: A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3: A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B: A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. Ratings of B-1, B-2, and B-3 may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the B category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B-1: A short-term obligation rated B-1 is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet their financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
B-2: A short-term obligation rated B-2 is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
B-3: A short-term obligation rated B-3 is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
C: A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D: A short-term obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
ISSUER CREDIT RATINGS ^ DEFINITIONS
Issuer credit ratings are based on current information furnished by obligors or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable. S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any issuer credit rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. Issuer credit ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information, or based on other circumstances. Issuer credit ratings can either be long or short term. Short-term issuer credit ratings reflect the obligors creditworthiness over a short-term horizon.
LONG-TERM ISSUER CREDIT RATINGS
AAA: An obligor rated AAA has extremely strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. AAA is the highest issuer credit rating assigned by S&P.
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AA: An obligor rated AA has very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree.
A: An obligor rated A has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments but is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in higher-rated categories.
BBB: An obligor rated BBB has adequate capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments.
BB, B, CCC and CC
Obligors rated BB, B, CCC, and CC are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and CC the highest. While such obligors will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB: An obligor BB is less vulnerable in the near term than other lower-rated obligors. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties and exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
B: An obligor rated B is more vulnerable than the obligors rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligors capacity or willingness to meets its financial commitments.
CCC: An obligor rated CCC is currently vulnerable, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet its financial commitments.
CC: An obligor rated CC is currently highly vulnerable.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
R: An obligor rated R is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition. During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over others or pay some obligations and not others. Please see S&Ps issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of regulatory supervision on specific issues or classes of obligations.
SD and D: An obligor rated SD (selective default) or D has failed to pay one or more of its obligations (rated or unrated) when it came due. A D rating is assigned when S&P believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An SD rating is assigned when S&P believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. Please see S&Ps issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of a default on specific issues or classes of obligations.
NR: An issuer designated NR is not rated.
SHORT-TERM ISSUER CREDIT RATINGS
A-1: An obligor rated A-1 has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It is rated in the highest category by S&P. Within this category, certain obligors are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitments is extremely strong.
A-2: An obligor rated A-2 has satisfactory capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in the highest rating category.
A-3: An obligor rated A-3 has adequate capacity to meet its financial obligations. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments.
B: An obligor rated B is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. Ratings B-1, B-2, and B-3 may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the B category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
B-1: Obligors with a B-1 short-term rating have a relatively stronger capacity to meet their financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
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B-2: Obligors with a B-2 short-term rating have an average speculative-grade capacity to meet their financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
B-3: Obligors with a B-3 short-term rating have a relatively weaker capacity to meet their financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
C: An obligor rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for it to meet its financial commitments.
R: An obligor rated R is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition. During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over others or pay some obligations and not others. Please see S&Ps issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of regulatory supervision on specific issues or classes of obligations.
SD and D: An obligor rated SD (selective default) or D has failed to pay one or more of its obligations (rated or unrated) when it came due. A D rating is assigned when S&P believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An SD rating is assigned when S&P believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. Please see S&Ps issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of a default on specific issues or classes of obligations.
NR: An issuer designated as NR is not rated.
MUNICIPAL RATINGS
SHORT-TERM NOTES: An S&P U.S. municipal note ratings reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment:
Amortization schedule--the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and
Source of payment--the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note. Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1: Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt will be given a plus(+) designation.
SP-2: Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3: Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
FITCH RATINGS
LONG-TERM CREDIT RATINGS
Investment Grade
AAA: Highest credit quality AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. The capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA: Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A: High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. The capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions that is the case for higher ratings.
BBB: Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that they are currently expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
Speculative Grade
BB: Speculative. BB ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met.
Securities rated in this category are not investment grade. The obligors ability to pay interest and repay principal may be affected
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over time by adverse economic changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be identified that could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
B: Highly speculative. For issuers and performing obligations, B ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for extremely high recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery of Rating RR1 (outstanding).
CCC: For issuers and performing obligations, default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic conditions.
For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for average to superior levels of recovery. Differences in credit quality may be denoted by plus/minus distinctions. Such obligations typically would possess a Recovery Rating of RR2 (superior), RR3 (good) or RR4 (average).
CC: For issuers and performing obligations, default of some kind appears probable.
For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with a Recovery Rating of 'RR4' (average) or 'RR5' (below average).
C: For issuers performing obligations, default is imminent.
For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for below-average to poor recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of RR6 (poor).
RD: Indicates an entity that has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace period) on some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of obligations.
D: Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations. Default generally is defined as one of the following:
Failure of an obligor to make timely payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of any financial obligation; The bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of business of an obligor; The distressed or other coercive exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation.
Default ratings are not assigned prospectively; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period.
Issuers will be rated 'D' upon a default. Defaulted and distressed obligations typically are rated along the continuum of 'C' to 'B' ratings categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. Additionally, in structured finance transactions, where analysis indicates that an instrument is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to meet pay interest and/or principal in full in accordance with the terms of the obligation's documentation during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default in accordance with the terms of the documentation is imminent, the obligation may be rated in the 'B' or 'CCC-C' categories.
Default is determined by reference to the terms of the obligations' documentation. Fitch will assign default ratings where it has reasonably determined that payment has not been made on a material obligation in accordance with the requirements of the obligation's documentation, or where it believes that default ratings consistent with Fitch's published definition of default are the most appropriate ratings to assign.
Notes to Long-Term ratings:
The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the 'AAA' Long-term rating category, to categories below 'CCC', or to Short-term ratings other than 'F1'. (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.)
Short-Term Credit Ratings
The following ratings scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings. A Short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 13 months for most obligations, or up to three years for US public finance, in line with industry standards, to reflect unique risk characteristics of bond, tax and revenue anticipation notes that are commonly issued with terms up to three years. Short-term ratings thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
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F1: Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2: Good credit quality. A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
F3: Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non investment grade.
B: Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C: High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
D: Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.
Notes to Short-Term ratings:
The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the 'AAA' Long-term rating category, to categories below 'CCC', or to Short-term ratings other than 'F1'. (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.)
DESCRIPTION OF INSURANCE FINANCIAL STRENGTH RATINGS
Moodys Investors Service, Inc. Insurance Financial Strength Ratings
Moodys Insurance Financial Strength Ratings are opinions of the ability of insurance companies to repay punctually senior policyholder claims and obligations. Specific obligations are considered unrated unless they are individually rated because the standing of a particular insurance obligation would depend on an assessment of its relative standing under those laws governing both the obligation and the insurance company. Insurance Companies rated Aaa offer exceptional financial security. While the credit profile of these companies is likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair their fundamentally strong position.
Standard &Poors Insurance Financial Strength Ratings
A S&P insurer financial strength rating is a current opinion of the financial security characteristics of an insurance organization with respect to its ability to pay under its insurance policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. Insurer financial strength ratings are also assigned to health maintenance organizations and similar health plans with respect to their ability to pay under their policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. This opinion is not specific to any particular policy or contract, nor does it address the suitability of a particular policy or contract for a specific purpose or purchaser. Furthermore, the opinion does not take into account deductibles, surrender or cancellation penalties, timeliness of payment, nor the likelihood of the use of a defense such as fraud to deny claims. For organizations with cross-border or multinational operations, including those conducted by subsidiaries or branch offices, the ratings do not take into account potential that may exist for foreign exchange restrictions to prevent financial obligations from being met. Insurer financial strength ratings are based on information furnished by rated organizations or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable. S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may on occasion rely on unaudited financial information. Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of such information or based on other circumstances. Insurer financial strength ratings do not refer to an organization's ability to meet nonpolicy (i.e. debt) obligations. Assignment of ratings to debt issued by insurers or to debt issues that are fully or partially supported by insurance policies, contracts, or guarantees is a separate process from the determination of insurer financial strength ratings, and follows procedures consistent with issue credit rating definitions and practices. Insurer financial strength ratings are not a recommendation to purchase or discontinue any policy or contract issued by an insurer or to buy, hold, or sell any security issued by an insurer. A rating is not a guaranty of an insurer's financial strength or security. An insurer rated AAA has extremely strong financial security characteristics. AAA is the highest insurer financial strength rating assigned by S&P.
Fitch Insurer Financial Strength Ratings
The Fitch Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) Rating provides an assessment of the financial strength of an insurance organization. The IFS Rating is assigned to the insurance company's policyholder obligations, including assumed reinsurance obligations and contract holder obligations, such as guaranteed investment contracts. The IFS Rating reflects both the ability of the insurer to meet these obligations on a timely basis, and expected recoveries received by claimants in the event the insurer stops making payments or payments are interrupted, due to either the failure of the insurer or some form of regulatory intervention. In the context of the IFS Rating, the timeliness of payments is considered relative to both contract and/or policy terms but also recognizes the possibility of reasonable delays caused by circumstances common to the insurance industry, including claims reviews, fraud investigations and
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coverage disputes. The IFS Rating does not encompass policyholder obligations residing in separate accounts, unit-linked products or segregated funds, for which the policyholder bears investment or other risks. However, any guarantees provided to the policyholder with respect such obligations are included in the IFS Rating. Expected recoveries are based on Fitch's assessments of the sufficiency of an insurance company's assets to fund policyholder obligations, in a scenario in which payments have been ceased or interrupted. Accordingly, expected recoveries exclude the impact of recoveries obtained from any government sponsored guaranty or policyholder protection funds. Expected recoveries also exclude the impact of collateralizing or security, such as letters of credit or trusteed assets, supporting select reinsurance obligations. IFS Ratings can be assigned to insurance and reinsurance companies in any insurance sector, including the life & annuity, non-life, property/casualty, health, mortgage, financial guaranty, residual value and title insurance sectors, as well as to managed care companies such as health maintenance organizations. The IFS Rating does not address the quality of an insurer's claims handling services or the relative value of products sold. AAA IFS Rating is exceptional strong. AAA IFS Rating denotes the lowest exception of ceased or interrupted payments. They are assigned only in the case of exceptionally strong capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations on a timely basis. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
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APPENDIX F |
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 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
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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 G |
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES |
I. Introduction
Eaton Vance Management, Boston Management and Research and Eaton Vance Investment Counsel (each an Adviser and collectively the Advisers) have each adopted and implemented policies and procedures that each Adviser believes are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with its fiduciary duties and Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Advisers authority to vote the proxies of their clients is established by their advisory contracts or similar documentation, such as the Eaton Vance Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures. These proxy policies and procedures reflect the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requirements governing advisers and the long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities for ERISA accounts set out in the Department of Labor Bulletin 94-2 C.F.R. 2509.94-2 (July 29, 1994).
II. Overview
Each Adviser manages its clients assets with the overriding goal of seeking to provide the greatest possible return to such clients consistent with governing laws and the investment policies of each client. In pursuing that goal, each Adviser seeks to exercise its clients rights as shareholders of voting securities to support sound corporate governance of the companies issuing those securities with the principle aim of maintaining or enhancing the companies economic value.
The exercise of shareholder rights is generally done by casting votes by proxy at shareholder meetings on matters submitted to shareholders for approval (for example, the election of directors or the approval of a companys stock option plans for directors, officers or employees). Each Adviser is adopting the formal written Guidelines described in detail below and will utilize such Guidelines in voting proxies on behalf of its clients. These Guidelines are designed to promote accountability of a companys management and board of directors to its shareholders and to align the interests of management with those of shareholders.
Each Adviser will vote any proxies received by a client for which it has sole investment discretion through a third-party proxy voting service (Agent) in accordance with customized policies, as approved by the Boards of Trustees of the Eaton Vance Funds and, with respect to proxies referred back to the Adviser by the Agent pursuant to the Guidelines, in a manner that is reasonably designed to eliminate any potential conflicts of interest, as described more fully below. The Agent is currently Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. Proxies will be voted in accordance with client-specific guidelines and an Eaton Vance Funds sub-advisers proxy voting policies and procedures, if applicable.
No set of guidelines can anticipate all situations that may arise. In special cases, the Proxy Administrator (the person specifically charged with the responsibility to oversee the Agent and coordinate the voting of proxies referred back to the Adviser by the Agent) may seek insight from the Proxy Group established by the Advisers. The Proxy Group will assist in the review of the Agents recommendation when a proxy voting issue is referred to the Proxy Group through the Proxy Administrator. The members of the Proxy Group, which may include employees of the Advisers affiliates, may change at the Advisers discretion.
III. Roles and Responsibilities
A. Proxy Administrator
The Proxy Administrator will assist in the coordination of the voting of each clients proxy in accordance with the Guidelines below and the Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures. The Proxy Administrator is authorized to direct the Agent to vote a proxy in accordance with the Guidelines. Responsibilities assigned herein to the Proxy Administrator, or activities in support thereof, may be performed by such members of the Proxy Group or employees of the Advisers affiliates as are deemed appropriate by the Proxy Group.
B. Agent
An independent proxy voting service (the Agent), as approved by the Board of each Fund, shall be engaged to assist in the voting of proxies. The Agent is currently Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. The Agent is responsible for coordinating with the clients custodians and the Advisers to ensure that all proxy materials received by the custodians relating to the portfolio securities are processed in a timely fashion. The Agent is required to vote and/or refer all proxies in accordance with the Guidelines below. The Agent shall retain a record of all proxy votes handled by the Agent. Such record must reflect all of the information required to be disclosed in a Funds Form N-PX pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act of
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1940. In addition, the Agent is responsible for maintaining copies of all proxy statements received by issuers and to promptly provide such materials to an Adviser upon request.
Subject to the oversight of the Advisers, the Agent shall establish and maintain adequate internal controls and policies in connection with the provision of proxy voting services to the Advisers, including methods to reasonably ensure that its analysis and recommendations are not influenced by a conflict of interest, and shall disclose such controls and policies to the Advisers when and as provided for herein. Unless otherwise specified, references herein to recommendations of the Agent shall refer to those in which no conflict of interest has been identified.
C. Proxy Group
The Adviser shall establish a Proxy Group which shall assist in the review of the Agents recommendations when a proxy voting issue has been referred to the Proxy Administrator by the Agent. The members of the Proxy Group, which may include employees of the Advisers affiliates, may be amended from time to time at the Advisers discretion.
For each proposal referred to the Proxy Group, the Proxy Group will review the (i) Guidelines, (ii) recommendations of the Agent, and (iii) any other resources that any member of the Proxy Group deems appropriate to aid in a determination of the recommendation.
If the Proxy Group recommends a vote in accordance with the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, it shall instruct the Proxy Administrator to so advise the Agent.
If the Proxy Group recommends a vote contrary to the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, or if the proxy statement relates to a conflicted company of the Agent, as determined by the Advisers, it shall follow the procedures for such voting outlined below.
The Proxy Administrator shall use best efforts to convene the Proxy Group with respect to all matters requiring its consideration. In the event the Proxy Group cannot meet in a timely manner in connection with a voting deadline, the Proxy Administrator shall follow the procedures for such voting outlined below.
IV. Proxy Voting Guidelines ("Guidelines")
A. General Policies
It shall generally be the policy of the Advisers to take no action on a proxy for which no client holds a position or otherwise maintains an economic interest in the relevant security at the time the vote is to be cast.
In all cases except those highlighted below, it shall generally be the policy of the Advisers to vote in accordance with the recommendation by the Agent, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.
When a fund client participates in the lending of its securities and the securities are on loan at the record date, proxies related to such securities generally will not be forwarded to the relevant Adviser by the funds custodian and therefore will not be voted. In the event that the Adviser determines that the matters involved would have a material effect on the applicable funds investment in the loaned securities, the fund will exercise its best efforts to terminate the loan in time to be able to cast such vote or exercise such consent.
Interpretation and application of these Guidelines is not intended to supersede any law, regulation, binding agreement or other legal requirement to which an issuer may be or become subject. The Guidelines relate to the types of proposals that are most frequently presented in proxy statements to shareholders. Absent unusual circumstances, each Adviser will utilize these Guidelines when voting proxies on behalf of its clients. The Guidelines may be revised at any time, provided such revisions are reported to the Boards of Trustees of the Eaton Vance Funds.
B. Proposals Regarding Mergers and Corporate Restructurings
The Agent shall be directed to refer proxy proposals accompanied by its written analysis and voting recommendation to the Proxy Administrator for all proposals relating to Mergers and Corporate Restructurings.
C. Proposals Regarding Mutual Fund Proxies Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation and Mergers
The Agent shall be directed to refer proxy proposals accompanied by its written analysis and voting recommendation to the Proxy Administrator for all proposals relating to the Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation and Mergers contained in mutual fund proxies.
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^
D. Corporate Structure Matters/Anti-Takeover Defenses
As a general matter, the Advisers will normally vote against anti-takeover measures and other proposals designed to limit the ability of shareholders to act on possible transactions (except in the case of closed-end management investment companies).
E. Social and Environmental Issues
The Advisers generally support management on social and environmental proposals.
F. Voting Procedures
Upon receipt of a referral from the Agent or upon advice from an Eaton Vance investment professional, the Proxy Administrator may solicit additional research from the Agent, as well as from any other source or service.
1. |
WITHIN-GUIDELINES VOTES: Votes in Accordance with the Guidelines and/or, where applicable, Agent Recommendation |
In the event the Proxy Administrator recommends a vote within Guidelines and/or, where applicable, in accordance with the Agents recommendation, the Proxy Administrator will instruct the Agent to vote in this manner.
2. |
NON-VOTES: Votes in Which No Action is Taken |
The Proxy Administrator may recommend that a client refrain from voting under the following circumstances: (i) if the economic effect on shareholders' interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant, e.g., proxies in connection with securities no longer held in the portfolio of a client or proxies being considered on behalf of a client that is no longer in existence; or (ii) if the cost of voting a proxy outweighs the benefits, e.g., certain international proxies, particularly in cases in which share blocking practices may impose trading restrictions on the relevant portfolio security. In such instances, the Proxy Administrator may instruct the Agent not to vote such proxy.
Reasonable efforts shall be made to secure and vote all other proxies for the clients, but, particularly in markets in which shareholders' rights are limited, Non-Votes may also occur in connection with a client's related inability to timely access ballots or other proxy information in connection with its portfolio securities.
Non-Votes may also result in certain cases in which the Agent's recommendation has been deemed to be conflicted, as provided for herein.
3. |
OUT-OF-GUIDELINES VOTES: Votes Contrary to Guidelines, or Agent Recommendation, where applicable, Where No Recommendation is Provided by Agent, or Where Agent's Recommendation is Conflicted |
If the Proxy Administrator recommends that a client vote contrary to the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, if the Agent has made no recommendation on a matter requiring case-by-case consideration and the Guidelines are silent, or the Agent's recommendation on a matter requiring case-by-case consideration is deemed to be conflicted, the Proxy Administrator will forward the Agents analysis and recommendation and any research obtained from the Agent or any other source to the Proxy Group. The Proxy Group may consult with the Agent as it deems necessary. The Proxy Administrator will instruct the Agent to vote the proxy as recommended by the Proxy Group. The Adviser will provide a report to the Boards of Trustees of the Eaton Vance Funds reflecting any votes cast contrary to the Guidelines or Agent Recommendation, as applicable, and shall do so no less than annually.
The Proxy Administrator will maintain a record of all proxy questions that have been referred by the Agent, all applicable recommendations, analysis and research received and any resolution of the matter.
V. Recordkeeping
The Advisers will maintain records relating to the proxies they vote on behalf of their clients in accordance with Section 204-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Those records will include:
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All records described above will be maintained in an easily accessible place for five years and will be maintained in the offices of the Advisers or their Agent for two years after they are created.
VI. Assessment of Agent and Identification and Resolution of Conflicts with Clients
A. Assessment of Agent
The Advisers shall establish that the Agent (i) is independent from the Advisers, (ii) has resources that indicate it can competently provide analysis of proxy issues, and (iii) can make recommendations in an impartial manner and in the best interests of the clients and, where applicable, their beneficial owners. The Advisers shall utilize, and the Agent shall comply with, such methods for establishing the foregoing as the Advisers may deem reasonably appropriate and shall do so not less than annually as well as prior to engaging the services of any new proxy voting service. The Agent shall also notify the Advisers in writing within fifteen (15) calendar days of any material change to information previously provided to an Adviser in connection with establishing the Agent's independence, competence or impartiality.
B. Conflicts of Interest
As fiduciaries to their clients, each Adviser puts the interests of its clients ahead of its own. In order to ensure that relevant personnel of the Advisers are able to identify potential material conflicts of interest, each Adviser will take the following steps:
Quarterly, the Eaton Vance Legal and Compliance Department will seek information from the department heads of each department of the Advisers and of Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD) (an affiliate of the Advisers and principal underwriter of certain Eaton Vance Funds). Each department head will be asked to provide a list of significant clients or prospective clients of the Advisers or EVD.
A representative of the Legal and Compliance Department will compile a list of the companies identified (the Conflicted Companies) and provide that list to the Proxy Administrator.
The Proxy Administrator will compare the list of Conflicted Companies with the names of companies for which he or she has been referred a proxy statement (the Proxy Companies). If a Conflicted Company is also a Proxy Company, the Proxy Administrator will report that fact to the Proxy Group.
If the Proxy Administrator expects to instruct the Agent to vote the proxy of the Conflicted Company strictly according to the Guidelines contained in these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (the Policies) or the recommendation of the Agent, as applicable, he or she will (i) inform the Proxy Group of that fact, (ii) instruct the Agent to vote the proxies and (iii) record the existence of the material conflict and the resolution of the matter.
If the Proxy Administrator intends to instruct the Agent to vote in a manner inconsistent with the Guidelines contained herein or the recommendation of the Agent, as applicable, the Proxy Group, in consultation with Eaton Vance senior management, will then determine if a material conflict of interest exists between the relevant Adviser and its clients. If the Proxy Group, in consultation with Eaton Vance senior management, determines that a material conflict exists, prior to instructing the Agent to vote any proxies relating to these Conflicted Companies the Adviser will seek instruction on how the proxy should be voted from:
The client, in the case of an individual or corporate client;
In the case of a Fund, its board of directors, any committee or sub-committee or group of Independent Trustees (as long as such committee, sub-committee or group contains at least two or more Independent Trustees); or
The adviser, in situations where the Adviser acts as a sub-adviser to such adviser.
The Adviser will provide all reasonable assistance to each party to enable such party to make an informed decision.
If the client, Fund board or adviser, as the case may be, fails to instruct the Adviser on how to vote the proxy, the Adviser will generally instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Administrator, to abstain from voting in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety. If however, the failure of the Adviser to vote its clients proxies would have a material adverse economic impact on the Advisers clients securities holdings in the Conflicted Company, the Adviser may instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Administrator, to vote such proxies in order to protect its clients interests. In either case, the Proxy Administrator will record the existence of the material conflict and the resolution of the matter.
The Advisers shall also identify and address conflicts that may arise from time to time concerning the Agent. Upon the Advisers request, which shall be not less than annually, and within fifteen (15) calendar days of any material change to such information previously provided to an Adviser, the Agent shall provide the Advisers with such information as the Advisers deem reasonable and appropriate for use in determining material relationships of the Agent that may pose a conflict of interest with respect to the Agents proxy analysis or recommendations. Such information shall include, but is not limited to, a monthly report from the Agent detailing the Agents Corporate Securities Division clients and related revenue data. The Advisers shall review such information on a monthly
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basis. The Proxy Administrator shall instruct the Agent to refer any proxies for which a material conflict of the Agent is deemed to be present to the Proxy Administrator. Any such proxy referred by the Agent shall be referred to the Proxy Group for consideration accompanied by the Agents written analysis and voting recommendation. The Proxy Administrator will instruct the Agent to vote the proxy as recommended by the Proxy Group.
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STATEMENT OF
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ^ June 1, 2011 |
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Short Term Fund
Class A Shares - EABSX Class C Shares - ECBSX Class I Shares - EIBSX Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Intermediate Term Fund Class A Shares - EITAX Class C Shares - EITCX Class I Shares - ETIIX ^ Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies ^ Long Term Fund Class A Shares - ^ EALTX Class C Shares - ^ ECLTX Class I Shares - ^ EILTX |
Two International Place
Boston, Massachusetts 02110 1-800-262-1122 |
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides general information about the Funds. Each Fund is a diversified, open-end management investment company. Each Fund is a series of Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II (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 | 23 ^ |
Investment Restrictions | 10 ^ | Sales Charges | ^ 24 |
Management and Organization | 11 | Performance | 26 ^ |
Investment Advisory and Administrative Services | ^ 18 | Taxes | ^ 28 |
Other Service Providers | 22 ^ | Portfolio Securities Transactions | ^ 32 |
Calculation of Net Asset Value | ^ 23 | Financial Statements | ^ 33 |
Appendix A: Class A Fees, Performance and Ownership | ^ 35 | Appendix D: Ratings | ^ 42 |
Appendix B: Class C Fees, Performance and Ownership | ^ 38 | Appendix E: Eaton Vance Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures | ^ 51 |
Appendix C: Class I Performance and Ownership | ^ 40 | Appendix F: Adviser Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures | ^ 53 |
This SAI is NOT a prospectus and is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only if preceded or accompanied by the Fund Prospectus dated ^ June 1, 2011 , 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.
© ^ 2011 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).
Municipal Obligations. Municipal obligations are issued to obtain funds for various public and private purposes. Municipal obligations include bonds as well as tax-exempt commercial paper, project notes and municipal notes such as tax, revenue and bond anticipation notes of short maturity, generally less than three years. While most municipal bonds pay a fixed rate of interest semiannually in cash, there are exceptions. Some bonds pay no periodic cash interest, but rather make a single payment at maturity representing both principal and interest. Bonds may be issued or subsequently offered with interest coupons materially greater or less than those then prevailing, with price adjustments reflecting such deviation.
In general, there are three categories of municipal obligations, the interest on which is exempt from federal income tax and is not a tax preference item for purposes of the alternative minimum tax ("AMT"): (i) certain public purpose obligations (whenever issued), which include obligations issued directly by state and local governments or their agencies to fulfill essential governmental functions; (ii) certain obligations issued before August 8, 1986 for the benefit of non-governmental persons or entities; and (iii) certain private activity bonds issued after August 7, 1986 which include qualified Section 501(c)(3) bonds or refundings of certain obligations included in the second category. In assessing the federal income tax treatment of interest on any municipal obligation, each Fund will rely on an opinion of the issuers counsel (when available) and will not undertake any independent verification of the basis for the opinion.
Interest on certain private activity bonds issued after August 7, 1986 is exempt from regular federal income tax, but such interest (including a distribution by a Fund derived from such interest) is treated as a tax preference item which could subject the recipient to or increase the recipients liability for the AMT. For corporate shareholders, a Funds distributions derived from interest on all municipal obligations (whenever issued) are included in adjusted current earnings for purposes of the AMT as applied to corporations (to the extent not already included in alternative minimum taxable income as income attributable to private activity bonds).
The two principal classifications of municipal bonds are general obligation and revenue bonds. Issuers of general obligation bonds include states, counties, cities, towns and regional districts. The proceeds of these obligations are used to fund a wide range of public projects, including the construction or improvement of schools, highways and roads, water and sewer systems and a variety of other public purposes. The basic security of general obligation bonds is the issuers pledge of its faith, credit, and taxing power for the payment of principal and interest. The taxes that can be levied for the payment of debt service may be limited or unlimited as to rate and amount.
Revenue bonds are generally secured by the net revenues derived from a particular facility or group of facilities or, in some cases, from the proceeds of a special excise or other specific revenue source. Revenue bonds have been issued to fund a wide variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water, sewer and solid waste disposal systems; highways, bridges and tunnels; port, airport and parking facilities; transportation systems; housing facilities, colleges and universities and hospitals. Although the principal security behind these bonds varies widely, many lower rated bonds provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund whose monies may be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuers obligations. Housing finance authorities have a wide range of security including partially or fully insured, rent subsidized and/or collateralized mortgages, and/or the net revenues from housing or other public projects. In addition to a debt service reserve fund, some authorities provide further security in the form of a states ability (without legal obligation) to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund. Lease rental revenue bonds issued by a state or local authority for capital projects are normally secured by annual lease rental payments from the state or locality to the authority sufficient to cover debt service on the authoritys obligations. Such payments are usually subject to annual appropriations by the state or locality. Industrial development and pollution control bonds, although nominally issued by municipal authorities, are in most cases revenue bonds and are generally not secured by the taxing power of the municipality, but are usually secured by the revenues derived by the authority from payments of the industrial user or users. Each Fund may on occasion acquire revenue bonds ^ that carry warrants or similar rights covering equity securities. Such warrants or rights may be held indefinitely, but if exercised, each Fund anticipates that it would, under normal circumstances, dispose of any equity securities so acquired within a reasonable period of time.
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The obligations of any person or entity to pay the principal of and interest on a municipal obligation are subject to the provisions of bankruptcy, insolvency and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, such as the Federal Bankruptcy Act, and laws, if any, ^ that may be enacted by Congress or state legislatures extending the time for payment of principal or interest, or both, or imposing other constraints upon enforcement of such obligations. Certain bond structures may be subject to the risk that a taxing authority may issue an adverse ruling regarding tax-exempt status. There is also the possibility that as a result of adverse economic conditions (including unforeseen financial events, natural disasters and other conditions that may affect an issuers ability to pay its obligations), litigation or other conditions, the power or ability of any person or entity to pay when due principal of and interest on a municipal obligation may be materially affected or interest and principal previously paid may be required to be refunded. There have been recent instances of defaults and bankruptcies involving municipal obligations ^ that were not foreseen by the financial and investment communities. Each Fund will take whatever action it considers appropriate in the event of anticipated financial difficulties, default or bankruptcy of either the issuer of any municipal obligation or of the underlying source of funds for debt service. Such action may include retaining the services of various persons or firms (including affiliates of the investment adviser) to evaluate or protect any real estate, facilities or other assets securing any such obligation or acquired by a Fund as a result of any such event, and a Fund may also manage (or engage other persons to manage) or otherwise deal with any real estate, facilities or other assets so acquired. Each Fund anticipates that real estate consulting and management services may be required with respect to properties securing various municipal obligations in its portfolio or subsequently acquired by each Fund. Each Fund will incur additional expenditures in taking protective action with respect to portfolio obligations in (or anticipated to be in) default and assets securing such obligations.
The yields on municipal obligations depend on a variety of factors, including purposes of the issue and source of funds for repayment, general money market conditions, general conditions of the municipal bond market, size of a particular offering, maturity of the obligation and rating of the issue. The ratings of Moodys, S&P and Fitch represent their opinions as to the quality of the municipal obligations which they undertake to rate, and in the case of insurers, other factors including the claims-paying ability of such insurer. It should be emphasized, however, that ratings are based on judgment and are not absolute standards of quality. Consequently, municipal obligations with the same maturity, coupon and rating may have different yields while obligations of the same maturity and coupon with different ratings may have the same yield. In addition, the market price of such obligations will normally fluctuate with changes in interest rates, and therefore the net asset value of a Fund will be affected by such changes.
Each Fund may invest in Municipal Securities with credit enhancements such as letters of credit, municipal bond insurance and Standby Bond Purchase Agreements (SBPAs). Letters of credit are issued by a third party, usually a bank, to enhance liquidity and ensure repayment of principal and any accrued interest if the underlying municipal bond should default. The Fund may purchase municipal obligations insured as to their scheduled payment of principal and interest or municipal obligations that are additionally secured by bank credit agreements or escrow accounts. The credit quality of companies ^ that provide such credit enhancements will affect the value of those securities. Although the insurance feature reduces certain financial risks, the premiums for insurance and the higher market price sometimes paid for insured obligations may reduce the Funds current yield. To the extent that securities held by the Fund are insured as to principal and interest payments by insurers whose claims-paying ability rating is downgraded by Moodys, S&P or Fitch, the value of such securities may be affected. An SBPA is a liquidity facility provided to pay the purchase price of bonds that cannot be remarketed. The obligations of the liquidity provider (usually a bank) is only to advance funds to purchase tendered bonds that cannot be remarketed and does not cover principal or interest under any other circumstances. The liquidity providers obligations under the SBPA are usually subject to numerous conditions, including the continued creditworthiness of underlying borrowers. See Appendix D for a description of the claims-paying ability ratings of S&P and Moodys.
State and Sector Concentration. Each Fund may invest 25% or more of its total assets in municipal obligations whose issuers are located in the same state or in municipal obligations in certain sectors. Municipal obligations of issuers located in a single state may be adversely affected by economic developments (including insolvency of an issuer) and by legislation and other governmental activities in that state. There could be economic, business or political developments or court decisions that adversely affect all municipal obligations in the same sector. In particular, investments in revenue bonds might involve (without limitation) the following risks.
Hospital bond ratings are often based on feasibility studies ^ that contain projections of expenses, revenues and occupancy levels. Among the influences affecting a hospitals gross receipts and net income available to service its debt are demand for hospital services, the ability of the hospital to provide the services required, management capabilities, economic developments in the service area, efforts by insurers and government agencies to limit rates and expenses, confidence in the hospital, service area economic developments, competition, availability and expense of malpractice insurance, Medicaid and Medicare funding and possible federal legislation limiting the rates of increase of hospital charges.
Electric utilities face problems in financing large construction programs in an inflationary period, cost increases and delay occasioned by safety and environmental considerations (particularly with respect to nuclear facilities), difficulty in obtaining fuel at reasonable prices, and in achieving timely and adequate rate relief from regulatory commissions, effects of energy conservation and limitations on the capacity of the capital market to absorb utility debt.
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Industrial development bonds (IDBs) are normally secured only by the revenues from the project and not by state or local government tax payments, they are subject to a wide variety of risks, many of which relate to the nature of the specific project. Generally, IDBs are sensitive to the risk of a slowdown in the economy.
Standard tobacco bonds are secured by a single source of revenue, installment payments made by tobacco companies stemming from the settlement of lawsuits brought against them by various states (the Master Settlement Agreement). Appropriation backed tobacco bonds are supported by the same Master Settlement Agreement payments as standard tobacco bonds, but are also subject to a states pledge that the governor will request an appropriation of funds in its annual budget for debt service if Master Settlement Agreement revenues are insufficient. These payments are not generally fixed but rather are tied to the volume of the companys U.S. sales of cigarettes. Tobacco bonds are subject to several risks, including the risk that cigarette consumption declines or that a tobacco company defaults on its obligation to make payments to the state. Escrowed tobacco bonds no longer rely on Master Settlement Agreement revenue as security, and are backed by a variety of government securities.
^ The airline industry ^ has historically exhibited volatility, with market disruptions, mergers and occasional bankruptcy ^ filings . ^ The industry has ^ been prone to ^ issues including , but ^ not limited to, ^ intense competition, labor and union ^ conflicts and ^ variable jet fuel ^ and security costs . Court rulings have given some guidance to the viability of collateral structures. However, there is still uncertainty as to the strength of collateral pledged under various security systems.
Certain tax-exempt bonds issued by Native American tribes may be subject to the risk that a taxing authority would determine that the income from such bonds is not eligible for tax-exempt status. In the event of any final adverse ruling to this effect, holders of such bonds may be subject to penalties.
Duration. Duration represents the dollar weighted average maturity of expected cash flows ( i.e. , interest and principal payments) on one or more debt obligations, discounted to their present values. The duration of an obligation is usually not more than its stated maturity and is related to the degree of volatility in the market value of the obligation. Maturity measures only the time until a bond or other debt security provides its final payment; it does not take into account the pattern of a securitys payments over time. Duration takes both interest and principal payments into account and, thus, in the investment advisers opinion, is a more accurate measure of a municipal obligations sensitivity to changes in interest rates. In computing the duration of its portfolio, a Fund will have to estimate the duration of debt obligations that are subject to prepayment or redemption by the issuer, based on projected cash flows from such obligations.
Credit Quality. While municipal obligations rated investment grade or below and comparable unrated municipal obligations 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 municipal obligations are subject to the risk of an issuers inability to meet principal and interest payments on the obligations (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 municipal obligations are also more likely to react to real or perceived developments affecting market and credit risk than are more highly rated obligations, which react primarily to movements in the general level of interest rates.
Municipal obligations held by a Fund which are rated below investment grade but which, subsequent to the assignment of such rating, are backed by escrow accounts containing U.S. Government obligations may be determined by the investment adviser to be of investment grade quality for purposes of the Funds investment policies. A Fund may retain in its portfolio an obligation whose rating drops after its acquisition, including defaulted obligations, if such retention is considered desirable by the investment adviser; provided, however, that holdings of obligations rated below Baa or BBB will be no more than 35% of net assets and holdings rated below B will be ^ no more than 10% of net assets. In the event the rating of an obligation held by a Fund is downgraded, causing the Fund to exceed the foregoing limitations, the investment adviser will (in an orderly fashion within a reasonable period of time) dispose of such obligations as it deems necessary in order to comply with each Funds credit quality limitations. In the case of a defaulted obligation, a Fund may incur additional expense seeking recovery of its investment. Defaulted obligations are denoted in the Portfolio of Investments in the Financial Statements included in the Funds reports to shareholders.
When a Fund invests in lower rated or unrated municipal obligations, the achievement of the Funds goals is more dependent on the investment advisers ability than would be the case if the Fund were investing in municipal obligations in the higher rating categories. In evaluating the credit quality of a particular issue, whether rated or unrated, the investment adviser may take into consideration, among other things, the financial resources of the issuer (or, as appropriate, of the underlying source of funds for debt service), its sensitivity to economic conditions and trends, any operating history of and the community support for the facility financed by the issue, the ability of the issuers management and regulatory matters. The investment adviser may also purchase structured derivative products with greater or lesser credit risk than the underlying bonds. Such bonds may be rated investment grade, as well as below investment grade. For a description of municipal bond ratings, see Appendix D.
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Municipal Leases. Each Fund may invest in municipal leases and participations therein, which arrangements frequently involve special risks. Municipal leases are obligations in the form of a lease, installment purchase or conditional sales contract (which typically provide for the title to the leased asset to pass to the governmental issuer) ^ that is issued by state or local governments to acquire equipment and facilities. Interest income from such obligations is generally exempt from local and state taxes in the state of issuance. Participations in such leases are undivided interests in a portion of the total obligation. Participations entitle their holders to receive a pro rata share of all payments under the lease. The obligation of the issuer to meet its obligations under such leases is often subject to the appropriation by the appropriate legislative body, on an annual or other basis, of funds for the payment of the obligations. Investments in municipal leases are thus subject to the risk that the legislative body will not make the necessary appropriation and the issuer will not otherwise be willing or able to meet its obligation.
Certain municipal lease obligations owned by the Fund may be deemed illiquid for the purpose of the Funds 15% limitation on investments in illiquid securities, unless determined by the investment adviser, pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Trustees, to be liquid securities for the purpose of such limitation. If the municipal lease obligation is insured as to the timely payment of principal and interest and the insurer has an investment grade rating (rated BBB or Baa or higher), or if the municipal lease obligation has an investment grade rating (rated BBB or Baa or higher), the investment adviser will consider the municipal lease obligation to be liquid. If the municipal lease obligation is not rated or is insured by an insurer rated below investment grade, the investment adviser will be responsible for determining the liquidity of such municipal lease obligation. In determining the liquidity of municipal lease obligations, the investment adviser will consider the factors it believes are relevant to the marketability of the obligation, to the extent that information regarding such factor is available to the investment adviser and pertinent to the liquidity determination, which may include: (1) the willingness of dealers to bid for the obligation; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the obligation and the number of other potential buyers; (3) the frequency of trades and quotes for the obligation; (4) the nature of the marketplace trades, including the time needed to dispose of the obligation, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer; (5) the willingness of the governmental issuer to continue to appropriate funds for the payment of the obligation; (6) how likely or remote an event of nonappropriation may be, which depends in varying degrees on a variety of factors, including those relating to the general creditworthiness of the governmental issuer, its dependence on its continuing access to the credit markets, and the importance to the issuer of the equipment, property or facility covered by the lease or contract; (7) the rating, if any, assigned to the obligation and/or the governmental issuer by any nationally recognized statistical rating organization; (8) whether the obligation is insured as to the timely payment of principal and interest; and (9) all factors and information unique to the obligation in determining its liquidity. If the municipal lease obligation is insured as to the timely payment of principal and interest, or if the obligation has an investment grade rating (rated BBB or Baa or higher), the investment adviser will consider the obligation to be liquid. In the event the Fund acquires an unrated municipal lease obligation, the investment adviser will be responsible for determining the credit quality of such obligation on an ongoing basis, including an assessment of the likelihood that the lease may or may not be cancelled.
U.S. Government Securities. U.S. Government securities include (1) U.S. Treasury obligations, which differ in their interest rates, maturities and times of issuance: U.S. Treasury bills (maturities of one year or less), U.S. Treasury notes (maturities of one year to ten years) and U.S. Treasury bonds (generally maturities of greater than ten years) and (2) obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities which are supported by any of the following: (a) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, (b) the right of the issuer to borrow an amount limited to a specific line of credit from the U.S. Treasury, (c) discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase certain obligations of the U.S. Government agency or instrumentality or (d) the credit of the agency or instrumentality. The Fund may also invest in any other security or agreement collateralized or otherwise secured by U.S. Government securities. Agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government include but are not limited to: Federal Land Banks, Federal Financing Banks, Banks for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Farm Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae"), United States Postal Service, Small Business Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority and any other enterprise established or sponsored by the U.S. Government. Because the U.S. Government generally is not obligated to provide support to its instrumentalities, the Fund will invest in obligations issued by these instrumentalities only if the investment adviser ^ believes that the credit risk with respect to such obligations is minimal.
^
Zero Coupon Bonds. Zero coupon bonds are debt obligations ^ that do not require the periodic payment of interest and are issued at a significant discount from face value. The discount approximates the total amount of interest the bonds will accrue and compound over the period until maturity at a rate of interest reflecting the market rate of the security at the time of issuance. Each Fund is required to accrue income from zero coupon bonds on a current basis, even though it does not receive that income currently in cash, and each Fund is required to distribute that income for each taxable year. Thus, the Fund may have to sell other investments to obtain cash needed to make income distributions.
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Inflation-Indexed (or Inflation-Linked) Bonds. Inflation-indexed bonds are fixed income securities the principal value of which is periodically adjusted according to the rate of inflation. Two structures are common. The U.S. Treasury and some other issuers use a structure that accrues inflation into the principal value of the bond. Most other issuers pay out the CPI accruals as part of a semiannual coupon.
Inflation-indexed securities issued by the U.S. Treasury have maturities of five, ten or thirty years, although it is possible that securities with other maturities will be issued in the future. The U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed securities pay interest on a semi-annual basis, equal to a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted principal amount. If the periodic adjustment rate measuring inflation falls, the principal value of inflation-indexed bonds will be adjusted downward, and consequently the interest payable on these securities (calculated with respect to a smaller principal amount) will be reduced. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds, even during a period of deflation. However, the current market value of the bonds is not guaranteed, and will fluctuate. The Fund may also invest in other inflation related bonds which may or may not provide a similar guarantee. If a guarantee of principal is not provided, the adjusted principal value of the bond repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal.
The value of inflation-indexed bonds is expected to change in response to changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates in turn are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. Therefore, if inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates might decline, leading to an increase in value of inflation-indexed bonds. In contrast, if nominal interest rates increased at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation-indexed bonds.
While these securities are expected to be protected from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may lead to a decline in value. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation (for example, due to changes in currency exchange rates), investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the bonds inflation measure.
The periodic adjustment of U.S. inflation-indexed bonds is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers) (CPI-U), which is calculated monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The CPI-U is a measurement of changes in the cost of living, made up of components such as housing, food, transportation and energy. There can be no assurance that the CPI-U will accurately measure the real rate of inflation in the prices of goods and services.
Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond will be considered taxable ordinary income, even though investors do not receive their principal until maturity.
Credit Derivatives. Each Fund may invest in credit default swaps, total return swaps or credit options. In a credit default swap, the buyer of credit protection (or seller of credit risk) agrees to pay the counterparty a fixed, periodic premium for a specified term. In return, the counterparty agrees to pay a contingent payment to the buyer in the event of an agreed upon credit occurrence with respect to a particular reference entity. In a total return swap, the buyer receives a periodic return equal to the total economic return of a specified security, securities or index, for a specified period of time. In return, the buyer pays the counterparty a variable stream of payments, typically based upon short term interest rates, possibly plus or minus an agreed upon spread. Credit options are options whereby the purchaser has the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a transaction involving either an asset with inherent credit risk or a credit derivative, at terms specified at the initiation of the option. Transactions in derivative instruments involve a risk of loss or depreciation due to: unanticipated adverse changes in securities prices, interest rates, indices, the other financial instruments prices or currency exchange rates; the inability to close out a position; default by the counterparty; imperfect correlation between a position and the desired hedge; tax constraints on closing out positions; and portfolio management constraints on securities subject to such transactions. Derivative instruments may sometimes increase or leverage exposure to a particular market risk, thereby increasing price volatility. The counterparties to many derivatives transactions are investment banks (or, if recently restructured, formerly categorized as investment banks), an industry that has recently experienced higher than normal bankruptcies. The risk of counterparty default increases in the event such counterparties undergo bankruptcy or are otherwise part of an industry affected by increased bankruptcy activity.
Redemption, Demand and Put Features and Put Options. Issuers of municipal obligations reserve the right to call (redeem) the bond. If an issuer redeems securities held by the Fund during a time of declining interest rates, the Fund may not be able to reinvest the proceeds in securities providing the same investment return as the securities redeemed. Also, some bonds may have put or demand features that allow early redemption by the bondholder. Longer term fixed-rate bonds may give the holder a right to request redemption at certain times (often annually after the lapse of an intermediate term). These bonds are more defensive than conventional long term bonds (protecting to some degree against a rise in interest rates) while providing greater opportunity than comparable intermediate term bonds, because the Fund may retain the bond if interest rates decline.
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Variable Rate Obligations. Each Fund may purchase variable rate obligations. Variable rate instruments provide for adjustments in the interest rate at specified intervals (weekly, monthly, semiannually, etc.) based on market conditions and the investor may enjoy the right to put the security back to the issuer or his agent. Variable rate obligations normally provide that the holder can demand payment of the obligation on short notice at par with accrued interest and which are frequently secured by letters of credit or other support arrangements provided by banks. To the extent that such letters of credit or other arrangements constitute an unconditional guarantee of the issuers obligations, a bank may be treated as the issuer of a security for the purposes of complying with the diversification requirements set forth in Section 5(b) of the 1940 Act and Rule 5b-2 thereunder ^ .
Interest Rate Swaps and Forward Rate Contracts. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Fund with another party of their respective commitments to pay or receive interest, e.g ., an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments. The Fund will only enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis, i.e ., the two payment streams are netted out with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments. Each Fund may also enter forward rate contracts. Under these contracts, the buyer locks in an interest rate at a future settlement date. If the interest rate on the settlement date exceeds the lock rate, the buyer pays the seller the difference between the two rates. If the lock rate exceeds the interest rate on the settlement date, the seller pays the buyer the difference between the two rates. Any such gain received by the Fund would be taxable.
If the other party to an interest rate swap or forward rate contract defaults, the Funds risk of loss consists of the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Funds obligations over its entitlements will be maintained in a segregated account by the Funds custodian. Each Fund will not enter into any interest rate swap or forward rate contract unless the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is considered to be investment grade by the investment adviser. 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. These instruments are traded in the over-the-counter market.
^ llliquid Obligations. At times, a substantial portion of the Funds assets may be invested in securities as to which the Fund, by itself or together with other accounts managed by the investment adviser and its affiliates, holds a major portion or all of such securities. Under adverse market or economic conditions or in the event of adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer, the Fund could find it more difficult to sell such securities when the investment adviser believes it advisable to do so or may be able to sell such securities only at prices lower than if such securities were more widely held. Under such circumstances, it may also be more difficult to determine the fair value of such securities for purposes of computing the Funds net asset value. Illiquid securities may also include those legally restricted as to resale, and securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A thereunder. Rule 144A securities may be treated as liquid securities if the investment adviser determines that such treatment is warranted. Even if determined to be liquid, holdings of these securities may increase the level of Fund illiquidity if eligible buyers become uninterested in purchasing them.
The secondary market for some municipal obligations issued within a state (including issues which are privately placed with the Fund) is less liquid than that for taxable debt obligations or other more widely traded municipal obligations. Each Fund will not own illiquid securities if more than 15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are not readily marketable. No established resale market exists for certain of the municipal obligations in which the Fund may invest. The market for obligations rated below investment grade is also likely to be less liquid than the market for higher rated obligations. As a result, the Fund may be unable to dispose of these municipal obligations at times when it would otherwise wish to do so at the prices at which they are valued.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. A change in the level of interest rates may affect the value of the securities held by the Fund (or of securities that the Fund expects to purchase). To hedge against changes in rates or as a substitute for the purchase of securities, the Fund may enter into (i) futures contracts for the purchase or sale of debt securities and (ii) futures contracts on securities indices. All futures contracts entered into by the Fund are traded on exchanges or boards of trade that are licensed and regulated by the CFTC and must be executed through a futures commission merchant or brokerage firm which is a member of the relevant exchange. Each Fund may purchase and write call and put options on futures contracts which are traded on a United States exchange or board of trade. Each Fund will be required, in connection with transactions in futures contracts and the writing of options on futures, to make margin deposits, which will be held by the futures commission merchant through whom the Fund engages in such futures and options transactions.
Some futures contracts and options thereon may become illiquid under adverse market conditions. In addition, during periods of market volatility, a commodity exchange may suspend or limit transactions in an exchange-traded instrument, which may make the instrument temporarily illiquid and difficult to price. Commodity exchanges may also establish daily limits on the amount that the price of a futures contract or futures option can vary from the previous days settlement price. Once the daily limit is reached, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond the limit. This may prevent the Fund from closing out positions and limiting its losses.
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Each Fund will engage in futures and related options transactions for either hedging or non-hedging purposes. Each Fund will determine that the price fluctuations in the futures contracts and options on futures used for hedging purposes are substantially related to price fluctuations in securities held by the Fund or which it expects to purchase. Each Fund will engage in transactions in futures and related options contracts only to the extent such transactions are consistent with the requirements of the Code, for maintaining qualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company for federal income tax purposes. Each Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of a Commodity Pool Operator (CPO) under the Commodity Exchange Act and therefore are not subject to registration or regulation as a CPO.
Warrants. The Fund may from time to time invest a portion of its assets in warrants. Warrants are an option to purchase fixed income securities at a specific price valid for specific period of time. They do not represent ownership of the securities, but only the right to buy them. The prices of warrants do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of the underlying securities. Warrants may become valueless if not sold or exercised prior to their expiration. Warrants have no voting rights, pay no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the entity issuing them.
Asset Coverage. To the extent required by SEC guidelines, each 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.
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.
Short Sales. The Fund may sell individual securities short if it owns at least an equal amount of the security sold short or has at the time of sale a right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold and provided that, if such right is conditional, the sale is made upon the same conditions (a covered short sale). The Fund may sell short securities representing an index or basket of securities whose constituents the Fund holds in whole or in part. A short sale of an index or basket of securities will be a covered short sale if the underlying index or basket of securities is the same or substantially identical to securities held by the Fund. The Fund may sell a security short if it owns at least an equal amount of the security sold short or another security convertible or exchangeable for an equal amount of the security sold short without payment of further compensation.
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. The exposure to loss on covered short sales (to the extent the value of the security sold short rises instead of falls) is offset by the increase in the value of the underlying security or securities retained. The profit or loss on a covered short sale is also affected by the borrowing cost of any securities borrowed in connection with the short sale (which will vary with market conditions) and use of the proceeds of the short sale.
Exposure to loss on an index or a basket of securities sold short will not be offset by gains on other securities holdings to the extent that the constituent securities of the index or a basket of securities sold short are not held by the Fund. Such losses may be substantial.
ReFlow Liquidity Program. Each 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 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
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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 the 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 the 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.
Securities Lending . As described in the Prospectus, the Fund may seek to earn income by lending portfolio securities to broker-dealers and other institutional investors. All securities loans will be collateralized on a continuous basis by cash or U.S. government securities having a value, marked to market daily, of at least 100% of the market value of the loaned securities. A Fund may receive loan fees in connection with loans of securities for which there is special demand.
Securities loans may result in delays in recovering, or a failure of the borrower to return, the loaned securities. The defaulting borrower ordinarily would be liable to the Fund for any losses resulting from such delays or failures, and the collateral provided in connection with the loan normally would also be available for that purpose. Securities loans normally may be terminated by either the Fund or the borrower at any time. Upon termination and return of the loaned securities, the Fund would be required to return the related collateral to the borrower and, if this collateral has been reinvested, it may be required to liquidate portfolio securities in order to do so. To the extent that such securities have decreased in value, this may result in the Fund realizing a loss at a time when it would not otherwise do so. The Fund also may incur losses if it is unable to reinvest cash collateral at rates higher than applicable rebate rates paid to borrowers and related administrative costs.
The Fund will receive amounts equivalent to any interest or other distributions paid on securities while they are on loan, and will not be entitled to exercise voting or other beneficial rights on loaned securities. The Fund will exercise its right to terminate loans and thereby regain these rights whenever the investment adviser considers it to be in the Funds interest to do so, taking into account the related loss of reinvestment income and other factors.
Cash collateral received by the Fund in respect of loaned securities is invested in Eaton Vance Cash Collateral Fund, LLC (Cash Collateral Fund). The investment objective of Cash Collateral Fund is to provide as high a rate of income as may be consistent with preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity. While not a registered money market mutual fund, Cash Collateral Fund conducts all of its investment activities in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Cash Collateral Fund invests in high quality, U.S. dollar-denominated money market instruments of domestic and foreign issuers, including U.S. Government securities and prime commercial paper. When appropriate, Cash Collateral Fund may also invest in other high-grade, short-term obligations including certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances and other short-term securities issued by domestic or foreign banks or their subsidiaries or branches. Cash Collateral Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis and for future delivery by means of forward commitments. Cash Collateral Fund may enter into repurchase agreements. Cash Collateral Fund may invest without limit in U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign issuers, including foreign banks. Cash Collateral Fund does not limit the amount of its assets that can be invested in one type of instrument or in any foreign country. Information about the portfolio holdings of Cash Collateral Fund is available on request.
Consistent with its investment objective, Cash Collateral Fund attempts to maximize yields by portfolio trading and by buying and selling portfolio investments in anticipation of or in response to changing economic and money market conditions and trends. Cash Collateral Fund also may invest to take advantage of what Eaton Vance Management (Eaton Vance) believes to be temporary disparities in yields of different segments of the money market or among particular instruments within the same segment of the market.
As compensation for its services as manager, Eaton Vance is paid a fee at a rate of 0.08% annually of the average daily net assets of Cash Collateral Fund. Eaton Vance pays all of Cash Collateral Funds custody, audit and other ordinary operating expenses, excluding extraordinary, non-recurring items such as expenses incurred in connection with litigation, proceedings, claims and reorganization expenses. Payments to Eaton Vance for managing Cash Collateral Fund are in addition to the investment advisory fee paid by a Fund.
^
Cash Equivalents. The Funds may invest in cash or cash equivalents, including high quality short-term instruments or an affiliated investment vehicle that invests in such instruments to invest daily cash balances or for temporary defensive purposes or to balance longer duration positions. Cash equivalents are highly liquid, short-term securities such as commercial paper, time deposits, certificates of deposit, short-term notes and short-term U.S. Government obligations.
Portfolio Turnover. ^ A 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) ^ may involve greater expenses to the ^ Fund and may result in a realization of net short-term capital gains. Historical turnover rate(s) are included in the Financial Highlights table(s) in the Prospectus .
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Diversified Status. Each 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 each Fund are designated as fundamental policies and as such cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of a Funds outstanding voting securities, which as used in this SAI means the lesser of: (a) 67% of the shares of a 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 a Fund. Accordingly, each 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 or maintenance margin in connection with futures contracts or related options 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 1933 Act; |
(4) |
Purchase or sell real estate (including limited partnership interests in real estate but excluding readily marketable interests in real estate investment trusts or readily marketable securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate or securities which are secured by real estate); |
(5) |
Make loans to any person except by (a) the acquisition of debt instruments and making portfolio investments, (b) entering into repurchase agreements and (c) lending portfolio securities. |
For Short Term Fund only:
( ^ 6 ) | Purchase or sell physical commodities or contracts for the purchase or sale of physical commodities; or |
^
In addition, Intermediate Term Fund and Long Term Fund have adopted the following fundamental policy: The Funds may 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.
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). A Fund will not borrow more than 5% of its total assets except to satisfy redemption requests or for other temporary purposes. A 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, each 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.
In addition, to the extent a registered open-end investment company acquires securities of a portfolio in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) under the 1940 Act, such ^ portfolio shall not acquire any securities of a registered open-end investment company in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) under the 1940 Act.
The following nonfundamental investment policies have been adopted by each Fund. A nonfundamental investment policy may be changed by the Trustees with respect to a Fund without approval by the Funds shareholders. Each Fund will not:
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Each Fund will not invest 25% or more of its total assets in any one industry. For purposes of the foregoing policy, securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies, or instrumentalities are not considered to represent industries. Municipal obligations backed by the credit of a governmental entity are also not considered to represent industries. However, municipal obligations backed only by the assets and revenues of non-governmental users may for this purpose be deemed to be issued by such non-governmental users. The foregoing 25% limitation would apply to these issuers.
For purposes of a Funds investment restrictions and diversification status, the determination of the issuer of any obligation will be made by the Funds investment adviser on the basis of the characteristics of the obligation and other relevant factors, the most significant of which is the source of funds committed to meeting interest and principal payments of such obligations.
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 a 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 a Fund to dispose of such security or other asset. However, a 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, 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 Year of Birth | |||||
Interested Trustee | |||||
THOMAS E. FAUST JR. | Trustee | Since 2007 | Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and | ^179 | Director of EVC. |
^ 1958 | President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of Eaton Vance | ||||
and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of ^ 179 | |||||
registered investment companies and 1 private investment 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. |
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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 Year of Birth | |||||
Noninterested Trustees | |||||
BENJAMIN C. ESTY | Trustee | Since 2005 | Roy and Elizabeth Simmons Professor of Business Administration and | ^179 | None |
^ 1963 | Finance Unit Head, Harvard University Graduate School of Business | ||||
Administration. | |||||
ALLEN R. FREEDMAN | Trustee | Since 2007 | Private Investor. Former Chairman (2002-2004) and a Director | ^179 | Director of Stonemor Partners L.P. |
^ 1940 | (1983-2004 ) of Systems & Computer Technology Corp. (provider of | (owner and operator of | |||
software to higher education). Formerly, a Director of Loring Ward | cemeteries). Formerly, Director of | ||||
International (fund distributor) (2005-2007). Former, Chairman and | Assurant, Inc. (insurance | ||||
a Director of Indus International, Inc. (provider of enterprise | provider) (1979-2011). | ||||
management software to the power generating industry) (2005- | |||||
2007). Former Chief Executive Officer of Assurant, Inc. (insurance | |||||
provider) (1979-2000). | |||||
WILLIAM H. PARK | Trustee | Since 2003 | Consultant and private investor. Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, | ^179 | None |
^ 1947 | Aveon Group, L.P. ( investment management firm) (2010-2011). | ||||
Formerly Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. | |||||
(specialty finance company) (2006-2010). 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 | |||||
(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, | ^179 | None |
^ 1940 | 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. | ^179 | Director of BJs Wholesale Club, |
^ 1948 | 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). | |||||
LYNN A. STOUT | Trustee | Since 1998 | Paul Hastings Professor of Corporate and Securities Law (since 2006) | ^179 | None |
^ 1957 | and Professor 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 | ^ 179 | None |
^ 1943 | 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 Street 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 Trust (launched in 1998 and terminated in 2009). |
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
The Board of Trustees has general oversight responsibility with respect to the business and affairs of the Trust and each Fund. The Board has engaged an investment adviser and (if applicable) a sub-adviser (collectively the "adviser") to manage each Fund and an administrator to administer each 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 ^ eight Trustees, including ^ seven Trustees who are not "interested persons" of a 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 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. The Board also interacts with the CCO and with senior personnel of the adviser, administrator, principal underwriter and other Fund service providers and provides input on risk management issues during meetings of the Board and its Committees. 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 a Fund or to develop processes and controls to eliminate or mitigate their occurrence or effects . Moreover, it is necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve each Funds goals .
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 Funds and its principal service providers. In addition, as part of the Boards periodic review of the advisory, subadvisory (if applicable), distribution and other service provider agreements, the Board may consider risk management aspects of their
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
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 each Funds shares. The administrator, the investment adviser and the sub-adviser (if applicable) 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 Funds 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 Trusts Declaration of Trust does not set forth any specific qualifications to serve as a Trustee. The Charter of the Governance Committee also does not set forth any specific qualifications, but does set forth certain factors that the Committee may take into account in considering Independent Trustee candidates. In general, no one factor is decisive in the selection of an individual to join the Board. Among the factors the Board considers when concluding that an individual should serve on the Board are the following: (i) knowledge in matters relating to the mutual fund industry; (ii) experience as a director or senior officer of public companies; (iii) educational background; (iv) reputation for high ethical standards and professional integrity; (v) specific financial, technical or other expertise, and the extent to which such expertise would complement the Board of Trustees existing mix of skills, core competencies and qualifications; (vi) perceived ability to contribute to the ongoing functions of the Board of Trustees, including the ability and commitment to attend meetings regularly and work collaboratively with other members of the Board of Trustees; (vii) the ability to qualify as an Independent Trustee for purposes of the 1940 Act and any other actual or potential conflicts of interest involving the individual and the Fund; and (viii) such other factors as the Board determines to be relevant in light of the existing composition of the Board of Trustees.
Among the attributes or skills common to all Trustees are their ability to review critically, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, to interact effectively with the other Trustees, management, sub-advisers, other service providers, counsel and independent registered public accounting firms, and to exercise effective and independent business judgment in the performance of their duties as Trustees. Each Trustees ability to perform his or her duties effectively has been attained through the Trustees business, consulting, public service and/or academic positions and through experience from service as a Board member in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds (and/or in other capacities, including for any predecessor funds), public companies, or non-profit entities or other organizations as set forth below. Each Trustees ability to perform his or her duties effectively also has been enhanced by his or her educational background, professional training, and/or other life experiences.
In respect of each current Trustee, the individuals substantial professional accomplishments and experience, including in fields related to the operations of the Eaton Vance Group of Funds, were a significant factor in the determination that the individual should serve as a Trustee. The following is a summary of each Trustees particular professional experience and additional considerations that contributed to the Boards conclusion that he or she should serve as a Trustee:
Benjamin C. Esty. Mr. Esty has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 2005 and is the Chairperson of the Portfolio Management Committee. He is the Roy and Elizabeth Simmons Professor of Business Administration and Finance Unit Head at the Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration.
Thomas E. Faust Jr. Mr. Faust has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 2007. He is currently Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of Eaton Vance and BMR, and Director of EVD. Mr. Faust previously served as an equity analyst, portfolio manager, Director of Equity Research and Management and Chief Investment Officer of Eaton Vance (1985-2007). He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. Mr. Faust has been a Chartered Financial Analyst since 1988.
Allen R. Freedman. Mr. Freedman has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 2007. Mr. Freedman also serves as a Director of Stonemor Partners L.P. Mr. Freedman was previously a Director of Assurant, Inc. from 1979-2011, a Director of Systems & Computer Technology Corp. from 1983-2004 and Chairman from 2002-2004, a Director of Loring Ward International from 2005-2007 and Chairman and a Director of Indus International, Inc. from 2005-2007. Mr. Freedman was formerly the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fortis, Inc. (predecessor to Assurant, Inc.), a specialty insurance company he founded in 1978 and from which he retired in 2000. Mr. Freedman also previously served as a Director of the Fortis Mutual Funds. Mr. Freedman is a founding director of the Association of Audit Committee Members, Inc.
William H. Park. Mr. Park has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 2003 and is the Chairperson of the Audit Committee. Mr. Park was formerly the Chief Financial Officer of Aveon Group, L.P. from 2011-2010. Mr. Park also served as Vice Chairman of Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. from 2006-2010, as President and Chief Executive Officer of Prizm Capital Management, LLC from 2002-2005, as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United Asset Management Corporation from 1982-2001 and as Senior Manager of Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) from 1972-1981.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Ronald A. Pearlman. Mr. Pearlman has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 2003 and is the Chairperson of the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee. He is a Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center. Previously, Mr. Pearlman was Deputy Assistant Secretary (Tax Policy) and Assistant Secretary (Tax Policy), U.S. Department of the Treasury from 1983-1985 and served as Chief of Staff, Joint Committee on Taxation, U.S. Congress from 1988-1990. Engaged in the private practice of law from 1969-2000, with the exception of the periods of government service. Represented large domestic and multinational businesses in connection with the tax aspects of complex transactions and high net worth individuals in connection with tax and business planning.
Helen Frame Peters. Ms. Peters has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 2008. She is currently a Professor of Finance at Carroll School of Management, Boston College and a Director of BJs Wholesale Club, Inc. Formerly, Ms. Peters was the Dean of Carroll School of Management, Boston College from 2000-2002. In addition, Ms. Peters was the Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income at Scudder Kemper Investments from 1998-1999 and Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income at Colonial Management Associates from 1991-1998. Ms. Peters also served as a Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust from 2000-2009 and as a Director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston from 2007-2009.
Lynn A. Stout. Ms. Stout has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 1998 and is the Chairperson of the Governance Committee. She has been the Paul Hastings Professor of Corporate and Securities Law at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Law since 2006. Previously, Ms. Stout was Professor of Law at the University of California at Los Angeles School from 2001-2006.
Ralph F. Verni. Mr. Verni has served as a Trustee in the Eaton Vance Group of Funds since 2005 and is the Independent Chairperson of the Board and the Chairperson of the Contract Review Committee. Mr. Verni was formerly the Chief Investment Officer (from 1982-1992), Chief Financial Officer (from 1988-1990) and Director (from 1982-1992) of New England Life. Mr. Verni was also the Chairperson of the New England Mutual Funds from 1982-1992; President and Chief Executive Officer of State Street Management & Research from 1992-2000; Chairperson of the State Research Mutual Funds from 1992-2000; Director of W.P. Carey, LLC from 1998-2004; and Director of First Pioneer Farm Credit Corp. from 2002-2006. Mr. Verni has been a Chartered Financial Analyst since 1977.
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 ^ ) and ^ Peters , 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. During the fiscal year ended ^ January 31, 2011 , the Governance Committee convened^ six times .
The Governance Committee will, when a vacancy exists or is anticipated, consider any nominee for noninterested Trustee recommended by a shareholder if such recommendation is submitted in writing to the Governance Committee, contains sufficient background information concerning the candidate, including evidence the candidate is willing to serve as a noninterested Trustee if selected for the position, and is received in a sufficiently timely manner.
Messrs. Park (Chair) and Verni, and Mmes. ^ Peters 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 each 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 each Funds financial statements and the independent audit thereof; (iii) oversee, or, as appropriate, assist Board oversight of, each Funds compliance with legal and regulatory requirements that relate to each Funds accounting and financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting and independent audits; (iv) approve prior to appointment the engagement and, when appropriate, replacement of the independent registered public accounting firm, and, if applicable, nominate the independent registered public accounting firm to be proposed for shareholder ratification in any proxy statement of a Fund; (v) evaluate the qualifications, independence and performance of the independent registered public accounting firm and the audit partner in charge of leading the audit; and (vi) prepare, as necessary, audit committee reports consistent with the requirements of applicable SEC and stock exchange rules for inclusion in the proxy statement of a Fund. During the fiscal ^ year ended ^ January 31, 2011 , the Audit Committee convened^ fourteen times .
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
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
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 Funds, 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. During the fiscal ^ year ended ^ January 31, 2011 , the Contract Review Committee convened^ eight times.
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 Funds 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 Funds; and (iii) assist the Board of Trustees in its monitoring of the performance results of all ^ funds and portfolios , giving special attention to the performance of certain ^ funds and portfolios that it or the Board of Trustees identifies from time to time. During the fiscal ^ year ended ^ January 31, 2011 , the Portfolio Management Committee convened ^ eight times .
^ Messrs . Pearlman (Chair) and Park, and ^ Ms . ^ 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 Funds; (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. During the fiscal ^ year ended ^ January 31, 2011 , the Compliance Reports and Regulatory Matters Committee convened^ twelve times .
Share Ownership. The following table shows the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in ^ each Fund and in all Eaton Vance Funds overseen by the Trustee as of December 31, 2010 ^ .
Dollar Range of Equity Securities Owned in the Fund | ||||||||
Benjamin C. | Thomas E. | Allen R. | William H. | Ronald A. | Helen Frame | Lynn A. | Ralph F. | |
Fund Name | Esty (2) | Faust Jr. (1) | Freedman (2) | Park (2) | Pearlman (2) | Peters (2) | Stout (2) | Verni (2) |
Short Term Fund | $1 - $10,000 | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Intermediate Term Fund | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Long Term Fund | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
Aggregate Dollar Range | ||||||||
of Equity Securities | ||||||||
Owned in all Registered | ||||||||
Funds Overseen by | ||||||||
Trustee in the Eaton | ||||||||
Vance Family of Funds | over $100,000 | over $100,000 | over $100,000 | over $100,000 | over $100,000 | over $100,000 | over $100,000 (3) | over $100,000 |
(1) | Interested Trustee. |
(2) | Noninterested Trustees. |
(3) | Includes shares which may be deemed to be beneficially owned through the Trustee Deferred Compensation Plan. |
As of December 31, ^ 2010 , 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, 2009 and December 31,^ 2010 , 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. |
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
During the calendar years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31,^ 2010 , no officer of EVC, EVD or any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with EVC or EVD served on the Board of Directors of a company where a noninterested Trustee of the Trust or any of their immediate family members served as an officer.
Trustees of the Trust 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 Trust 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 Funds , and will not obligate the Trust to retain the services of any Trustee or obligate the Trust 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 Funds (and other series of the Trust) ^ . (A Trustee of the Trust who is a member of the Eaton Vance organization receives no compensation from the Trust.) During the fiscal year ended ^ January 31, 2011 , the Trustees of the Trust earned the following compensation in their capacities as Trustees from the Trust. For the year ended December 31, ^ 2010 , 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 | Lynn A. | Ralph F. | |
Source of Compensation | Esty | Freedman | Park | Pearlman | Peters | Stout | Verni |
Trust (2) | $^7,066 | $^6,615 | $^7,066 | $^7,066 | $^6,470 | $^7,066 | $^9,932 |
Trust and Fund Complex (1) | $230,000 | $210,000 | $230,000 | $230,000 | $210,000 | $230,000 (3) | $325,000 (4) |
(1) | As of^ June 1, 2011 , the Eaton Vance fund complex consists of ^ 179 registered investment companies or series thereof . Heidi L. Steiger resigned as a Trustee effective November 29, 2010. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, Ms. Steiger received Trustees fees of $4,227 from the Trust. For the calendar year ended December 31, 2010, she received $210,000 from the Trust and Fund Complex . |
(2) | The Trust consisted of ^ 5 Funds as of^ January 31, 2011 . |
(3) | Includes $45,000 of deferred compensation. |
(4) | Includes $162,500 of deferred compensation. |
Organization. Each Fund is a series of the Trust, which was organized under Massachusetts law on October 25, 1993 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 a Fund). The Trustees of the Trust have divided the shares of each Fund into multiple classes. Each class represents an interest in a 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 a 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 a 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.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
17 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
The Trust or any series or class thereof may be terminated by: (1) the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than two-thirds of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote at any meeting of shareholders of the Trust or the appropriate series or class thereof, or by an instrument or instruments in writing without a meeting, consented to by the holders of two-thirds of the shares of the Trust or a series or class thereof, provided, however, that, if such termination is recommended by the Trustees, the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust or a series or class thereof entitled to vote thereon shall be sufficient authorization; or (2) by means of an instrument in writing signed by a majority of the Trustees, to be followed by a written notice to shareholders stating that a majority of the Trustees has determined that the continuation of the Trust or a series or a class thereof is not in the best interest of the Trust, such series or class or of their respective shareholders.
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 each Fund are readily marketable and will ordinarily substantially exceed its liabilities. In light of the nature of each 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 adopted the proxy voting policies and procedures of the investment 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 recordkeeping and disclosure services. The Trustees will review each 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 Adviser Policies, see Appendix E and Appendix F, respectively. Information on how each Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122, and (2) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Investment Advisory Services. The investment adviser manages the investments and affairs of each 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 each Fund and what portion, if any, of the Funds assets will be held uninvested. Each Investment Advisory Agreement requires the investment adviser to pay the salaries and fees of all officers and Trustees of the Trust who are members of the investment advisers organization and all personnel of the investment adviser performing services relating to research and investment activities.
^
For a description of the compensation that each Fund pays to Eaton Vance for investment advisory and administrative services, see the Prospectus. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011 the net assets of the Short Term Fund, Intermediate Term Fund and Long Term Fund were $870,762,652, $57,411,914 and $2,248,204, respectively. For the fiscal years ended January 31, 2011 and 2010, Short Term Fund advisory and administrative fees amounted to $4,032,489 and $857,555. Additionally, Prior to June 1, 2011, Eaton Vance agreed to reimburse the Short Term Funds expenses to the extent that Total Fund Operating Expenses exceed 0.90% for Class A shares, 1.65% for Class C shares and 0.65% for Class I shares. Pursuant to this agreement, Eaton Vance was not allocated any of the Funds operating expenses for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011.
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, Intermediate Term Fund advisory and administrative fees amounted to $114,794. Additionally, Eaton Vance has agreed to reimburse the Funds expenses to the extent that Total Fund Operating Expenses exceed 0.95% for Class A shares, 1.70% for Class C shares and 0.70% for Class I shares. This expense reimbursement will continue through May 31, 2013. Pursuant to this agreement, Eaton Vance was allocated $131,806 of the Intermediate Term Funds operating expenses for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011.
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, Long Term Fund advisory and administrative fees amounted to $11,775. Additionally, Eaton Vance has agreed to reimburse the Funds expenses to the extent that Total Fund Operating Expenses exceed 0.95% for Class A shares, 1.70% for Class C shares and 0.70% for Class I shares. This expense reimbursement will continue through May 31, 2013. Pursuant to this agreement, Eaton Vance was allocated $140,979 of the Funds operating expenses for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Each Investment ^ Investment Advisory and Administrative Agreement with the investment adviser continues in effect from year to year so long as such continuance is approved at least annually (i) by the vote of a majority of the ^ noninterested Trustees of the Trust cast in person at a meeting specifically called for the purpose of voting on such approval and (ii) by the Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. Each Agreement may be terminated at any time without penalty on sixty (60) days written notice by the Board of Trustees of either party, or by vote of the majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, and the Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment. Each Agreement provides that the investment adviser may render services to others. Each Agreement also provides that the investment adviser shall not be liable for any loss incurred in connection with the performance of its duties, or action taken or omitted under the Agreement, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence in the performance of its duties or by reason of its reckless disregard of its obligations and duties thereunder, or for any losses sustained in the acquisition, holding or disposition of any security or other investment.
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. 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, principal underwriter, and each Fund have adopted Codes of Ethics governing personal securities transactions. Under the Codes, employees of Eaton Vance and the principal underwriter may purchase and sell securities (including securities held or eligible for purchase by a Fund) subject to the provisions of the Codes and certain employees are also subject to pre-clearance, reporting requirements and other procedures.
Portfolio Manager. ^ Each Fund is managed by a team led by James H. Evans. The ^ portfolio managers (each referred to as a "portfolio manager") of the ^ Funds are ^ listed below . ^ Each portfolio manager ^ manages other investment companies and/or investment accounts in addition to ^ a Fund. The following ^ tables show , as of the ^ Funds most recent fiscal year ^ end , the number of accounts each portfolio manager managed in each of the listed categories and the total assets (in millions of dollars)
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
19 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
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 millions of dollars) 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* | |
Brian C. Barney | ||||
Registered Investment Companies | ^3 | ^$1,119.5 | 0 | $0 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 0 | $ 0 | 0 | $0 |
Other Accounts | ^14 (1) | ^$1,975.7 | 0 | $0 |
Brian D. Clouser | ||||
Registered Investment Companies | ^2 | ^$1,062.8 | 0 | $0 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 0 | $ 0 | 0 | $0 |
Other Accounts | ^37 (1) | ^$1,365.5 | 0 | $0 |
Joseph M. Davolio | ||||
Registered Investment Companies | ^1 | ^$ 2.2 | 0 | $0 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 0 | $ 0 | 0 | $0 |
Other Accounts | ^7 (1) | ^$1,362.2 | 0 | $0 |
James H. Evans | ||||
Registered Investment Companies | ^4 | ^$1,121.8 | 0 | $0 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 0 | $ 0 | 0 | $0 |
Other Accounts | ^91 (1) | ^$3,672.1 | 0 | $0 |
Christopher J. Harshman | ||||
Registered Investment Companies | ^2 | ^$58.9 | 0 | $0 |
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles | 0 | $ 0 | 0 | $0 |
Other Accounts | ^6 (1) | ^$1,172.3 | 0 | $0 |
(1) For "Other Accounts" that are part of a wrap account program, the number of accounts cited includes the number of sponsors for which the portfolio manager provides management services rather ^ than the number of individual customer accounts within each wrap account program.
^
The following table shows the dollar range of shares of a Fund beneficially owned ^ by its portfolio manager(s) as of the ^ Funds most recent fiscal year ended January 31, 2011 and in the Eaton Vance ^ Family of Funds as of December 31, ^ 2010 .
^
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity | ||
Dollar Range of Equity Securities | Securities Owned in all Registered Funds in | |
Fund Name and Portfolio Manager | Owned in the Fund | the Eaton Vance Family of Funds |
Short Term Fund | ||
Brian C. Barney | None | $100,001 - $500,000 |
Brian D. Clouser | None | $50,001 - $100,000 |
James H. Evans | None | over $1,000,000 |
Intermediate Term Fund | ||
Brian C. Barney | $10,001 - $50,000 | $100,001 - $500,000 |
James H. Evans | $100,001 - $500,000 | over $1,000,000 |
Christopher J. Harshman | None | $100,001 - $500,000 |
Long Term Fund | ||
Joseph M. Davolio | None | $100,001 - $500,000 |
James H. Evans | $100,001 - $500,000 | over $1,000,000 |
Christopher J. Harshman | None | $100,001 - $500,000 |
It is possible that conflicts of interest may arise in connection with ^ a portfolio managers management of ^ a 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 advises. In ^ addition, due to differences in the investment strategies or restrictions between ^ a 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 discretion in a manner that he 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 Eaton Vance. Compensation of the investment advisers portfolio managers and other investment professionals has three primary components: (1) a base salary, (2) an annual cash bonus, and (3) annual stock-based compensation consisting of options to purchase shares of EVCs nonvoting common stock and restricted shares of EVCs nonvoting common stock. The investment advisers investment professionals also receive certain retirement, insurance and other benefits that are broadly available to the investment advisers employees. Compensation of the investment advisers investment professionals is reviewed primarily on an annual basis. Cash bonuses, stock-based compensation awards, and adjustments in base salary are typically paid or put into effect at or shortly after the October 31st fiscal year end of EVC.
Method to Determine Compensation. The investment adviser compensates its portfolio managers based primarily on the scale and complexity of their portfolio responsibilities and the total return performance of managed funds and accounts versus the benchmark(s) stated in the ^ prospectus , as well as an appropriate peer group (as described below). In addition to rankings within peer groups of funds on the basis of absolute performance, consideration may also be given to relative risk-adjusted performance. Risk-adjusted performance measures include, but are not limited to, the Sharpe ratio. Performance is normally based on periods ending on the September 30th preceding fiscal year end. Fund performance is normally evaluated primarily versus peer groups of funds as determined by Lipper Inc. and/or Morningstar, Inc. When a funds peer group as determined by Lipper or Morningstar is deemed by the investment advisers management not to provide a fair comparison, performance may instead be evaluated primarily against a custom peer group. In evaluating the performance of a fund and its ^ manager , primary emphasis is normally placed on three-year performance, with secondary consideration of performance over longer and shorter periods. For funds that are tax-managed or otherwise have an objective of after-tax returns, performance is measured net of taxes. For other funds, performance is evaluated on a pre-tax basis. For funds with an investment objective other than total return (such as current income), consideration will also be given to the funds success in achieving its objective. For managers responsible for multiple funds and accounts, investment performance is evaluated on an aggregate basis, based on averages or weighted averages among managed funds and accounts. Funds and accounts that have performance-based advisory fees are not accorded disproportionate weightings in measuring aggregate portfolio manager performance.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
The compensation of portfolio managers with other job responsibilities (such as heading an investment group or providing analytical support to other portfolios) will include consideration of the scope of such responsibilities and the managers performance in meeting them.
The investment adviser seeks to compensate portfolio managers commensurate with their responsibilities and performance, and competitive with other firms within the investment management industry. The investment adviser participates in investment-industry compensation surveys and utilizes survey data as a factor in determining salary, bonus and stock-based compensation levels for portfolio managers and other investment professionals. Salaries, bonuses and stock-based compensation are also influenced by the operating performance of the investment adviser and its parent company. The overall annual cash bonus pool is based on a substantially fixed percentage of pre-bonus operating income. While the salaries of the investment advisers portfolio managers are comparatively fixed, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may fluctuate significantly from year to year, based on changes in manager performance and other factors as described herein. For a high performing portfolio manager, cash bonuses and stock-based compensation may represent a substantial portion of total compensation.
Administrative Services. Eaton Vance also provides administrative services to each ^ Fund . Under its Investment Advisory and Administrative Agreement, Eaton Vance has been engaged to administer each 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 each Fund.
Sub-Transfer Agency Services. Eaton Vance also serves as sub-transfer agent for each Fund. As sub-transfer agent, Eaton Vance performs the following services directly on behalf of a 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 a Fund); (3) furnishes an SAI to any shareholder who requests one in writing or by telephone from a 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 a Funds transfer agent from fees it receives from the Eaton Vance funds ^ . Each Fund will pay a pro rata share of such fee. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, the transfer agent accrued for or paid the following to Eaton Vance for sub-transfer agency services performed on behalf of each Fund:
Short Term Fund | Intermediate Term Fund | Long Term Fund |
^ $8,175 | ^ $40 | ^ $24 |
Expenses. Each Fund is responsible for all expenses not expressly stated to be payable by another party (such as expenses required to be paid pursuant to an agreement with the investment adviser and administrator or the principal underwriter). In the case of expenses incurred by the Trust, each Fund is responsible for its pro rata share of those expenses. The only expenses of a 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 each 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 a 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, Massachusetts 02116, serves as custodian to each Fund. State Street has custody of all cash and securities of a Fund, maintains the general ledger of each Fund and computes the daily net asset value of shares of each Fund. In such capacity it attends to details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, transfer or other dealings with each Funds investments, receives and disburses all funds and performs
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
22 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
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 each 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 each Fund, providing audit and related services, assistance and consultation with respect to the preparation of filings with the SEC.
Transfer Agent. ^ BNY Mellon Investment ^ Servicing (US) Inc. , P.O. Box 9653, Providence, RI 02940-9653, serves as transfer and dividend disbursing agent for each Fund.
CALCULATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value of each Fund is ^ computed at 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 each Fund) by subtracting the liabilities of the Fund from the value of its total assets. Each Fund will be closed for business and will not price its shares 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.
Inasmuch as the market for municipal obligations is a dealer market with no central trading location or continuous quotation system, it is not feasible to obtain last transaction prices for most municipal obligations held by a Fund, and such obligations, including those purchased on a when-issued basis, will normally be valued on the basis of valuations furnished by a pricing service. The pricing service uses information with respect to transactions in bonds, quotations from bond dealers, market transactions in comparable securities, various relationships between securities, and yield to maturity in determining value. Taxable obligations, if any, are normally valued on the basis of valuations furnished by a pricing service. Open futures positions on debt securities are valued at the most recent settlement prices, unless such price does not reflect the fair value of the contract, in which case the positions will be valued by or at the direction of the Trustees. Other assets are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees considering relevant factors, data and information including the market value of freely tradable securities of the same class in the principal market on which such securities are normally traded.
PURCHASING AND REDEEMING SHARES |
Additional Information About Purchases. Fund shares are offered for sale only in states where they are registered. Fund shares are continuously offered through financial intermediaries which have entered into agreements with the principal underwriter. Shares of a 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 a 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, a 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 a Fund as described below.
Class I Share Purchases. Class I shares are available for purchase by 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; certain persons affiliated with Eaton Vance and certain Fund service providers; current and retired Directors and Trustees of Eaton Vance funds; employees of Eaton Vance and its affiliates and such persons spouses, parents, siblings and lineal descendants and their beneficial accounts.
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 a Fund or class, the investment climate and market conditions, the volume of sales and redemptions of shares ^ . The Class A and Class C Distribution Plans may continue in effect and payments
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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.
Additional Information About Redemptions. The right to redeem shares of a 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 a Fund, either totally or partially, by a distribution in kind of readily marketable securities. The securities so distributed would be valued pursuant to the valuation procedures described in this SAI. If a shareholder received a distribution in kind, the shareholder could incur brokerage or other charges in converting the securities to cash.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan. The transfer agent will send to the shareholder regular monthly or quarterly payments of any permitted amount designated by the shareholder based upon the value of the shares held. The checks will be drawn from share redemptions and hence, may require the recognition of taxable gain or loss. Income dividends and capital gains distributions in connection with withdrawal plan accounts will be credited at net asset value as of the record date for each distribution. Continued withdrawals in excess of current income will eventually use up principal, particularly in a period of declining market prices. A shareholder may not have a withdrawal plan in effect at the same time he or she has authorized Bank Automated Investing or is otherwise making regular purchases of Fund shares. The shareholder, the transfer agent or the principal underwriter may terminate the withdrawal plan at any time without penalty.
Other Information. A 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 a 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 ^ a 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 a 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
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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 agent; financial intermediaries who have entered into an agreement with the principal underwriter to offer Class A shares through a no-load platform, (4) to officers and employees of the Fund custodian and the 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 a 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 $100,000 ($50,000 for Long Term Fund) 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. If the sales charge rate changes during the 13-month period, all shares purchased or charges assessed after the date of such change will be subject to the then applicable sales charge.
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 ^ 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.
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 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.
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The Trust has in effect a compensation-type Distribution Plan for Class C shares (the Class C ^ Plan ) 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 each 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 each 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 ^ Plan 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 ^ Plan 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 December 15, 2008 for the Short Term Fund and on October 19, 2009 for the Intermediate and Long Term Funds ^ . 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 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.
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In addition to the foregoing total return figures, each 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.
Yield is computed pursuant to a standardized formula by dividing the net investment income per share earned during a recent thirty-day period by the maximum offering price (including the maximum of any initial sales charge) per share on the last day of the period and annualizing the resulting figure. Net investment income per share is calculated from the yields to maturity of all debt obligations held based on prescribed methods, reduced by accrued expenses for the period with the resulting number being divided by the average daily number of shares outstanding and entitled to receive distributions during the period. Yield figures do not reflect the deduction of any applicable CDSC, but assume the maximum of any initial sales charge. (Actual yield may be affected by variations in sales charges on investments.) A tax-equivalent yield is computed by using the tax-exempt yield and dividing by one minus a stated tax rate. The stated tax rate will reflect the federal income tax applicable to investors in a particular tax bracket and may reflect certain assumptions relating to tax exemptions and deductions. The tax-equivalent yield will differ for investors in other tax brackets or for whom the assumed exemptions and deductions are not available. Tax-equivalent yield is designed to show the approximate yield a taxable investment would have to earn to produce an after-tax yield equal to the tax-exempt yield.
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 each Fund. See each Funds Prospectus for information on disclosure made in filings with the SEC and/or posted on the Eaton Vance website and disclosure of certain portfolio characteristics. Pursuant to the Policies, information about portfolio holdings of a Fund may ^ also be disclosed ^ as follows: ^
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of the portfolio holdings or portfolio characteristics posted to the Eaton Vance website; a Funds portfolio manager and Eaton Vances Chief Equity or Chief Income Investment Officer (as appropriate) have reviewed the request and do not believe the dissemination of the information requested would disadvantage Fund shareholders; and the Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO") has reviewed the request to ensure that the disclosure of the requested information does not give rise to a conflict of interest between Fund shareholders and an affiliated service provider. |
The Funds, the investment adviser and principal underwriter will not receive any monetary or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of information concerning a Funds portfolio holdings.
The Policies may not be waived, or exception made, without the consent of the CCO of the Funds. 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 a 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 a 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 a 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 a 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 Funds.
TAXES |
Each series of the Trust is treated as a separate entity for federal income tax purposes. Each 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, each 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 (including tax-exempt 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 a 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. Each Fund qualified as a RIC for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011. Each Fund also seeks to avoid payment of federal excise tax. However, if a 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. ^ The Code ^ 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.
In order to avoid incurring a federal excise tax obligation, the Code requires that a Fund distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) by December 31 of each calendar year (i) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not including tax-exempt income) for such year, (ii) at least 98.2% 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 a 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 a Fund qualifies as a RIC for federal tax purposes, each Fund should not be liable for any income, corporate excise or franchise tax in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, ^ 2013 , the long-term capital gain rate is scheduled to return to 20% . The maximum rates for ordinary income and short-term capital gain are scheduled to increase to 39 . 6% for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2013.
^
If a 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 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.
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A Funds investment in zero coupon and certain other securities will cause it to realize income prior to the receipt of cash payments with respect to these securities. Such income will be accrued daily by the Fund and, in order to avoid a tax payable by the Fund, the Fund may be required to liquidate securities that it might otherwise have continued to hold in order to generate cash so that the Fund may make required distributions to its shareholders.
A Fund may invest to a significant extent in debt obligations that are in the lowest rating categories or are unrated, including debt obligations of issuers not currently paying interest or who are in default. Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for a Fund. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless securities and how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income.
Distributions by a Fund of net tax-exempt interest income that are properly designated as exempt-interest dividends may be treated by shareholders as interest excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes under Section 103(a) of the Code. In order for a Fund to be entitled to pay the tax-exempt interest income as exempt-interest dividends to its shareholders, the Fund must and intends to satisfy certain requirements, including the requirement that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of obligations the interest on which is exempt from regular federal income tax under Code Section 103(a). Interest on certain municipal obligations may be taxable for purposes of the federal AMT and for state and local purposes. In addition, corporate shareholders must include the full amount of exempt-interest dividends in computing the preference items for the purposes of the AMT. Shareholders of a Fund are required to report tax-exempt interest on their federal income tax returns.
Tax-exempt distributions received from a Fund are taken into account in determining, and may increase, the portion of social security and certain railroad retirement benefits that may be subject to federal income tax.
Interest on indebtedness incurred by a shareholder to purchase or carry shares of the fund will not be deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Furthermore, a portion of any exempt-interest dividend paid by the fund that represents income derived from certain revenue or private activity bonds held by the fund may not retain its tax-exempt status in the hands of a shareholder who is a substantial user of a facility financed by such bonds, or a related person thereof. In addition, the receipt of dividends and distributions from the fund may affect a foreign corporate shareholders federal branch profits tax liability and the federal excess net passive income tax liability of a shareholder of a Subchapter S corporation. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors as to whether they are (i) substantial users with respect to a facility or related to such users within the meaning of the Code or (ii) subject to a federal alternative minimum tax, the federal branch profits tax, or the federal excess net passive income tax.
Any recognized gain or income attributable to market discount on long-term tax-exempt municipal obligations ( i.e. , obligations with a term of more than one year) purchased after April 30, 1993 (except to the extent of a portion of the discount attributable to original issue discount), is taxable as ordinary income. A long-term debt obligation is generally treated as acquired at a market discount if purchased after its original issue at a price less than (i) the stated principal amount payable at maturity, in the case of an obligation that does not have original issue discount or (ii) in the case of an obligation that does have original issue discount, the sum of the issue price and any original issue discount that accrued before the obligation was purchased, subject to a de minimis exclusion.
From time to time proposals have been introduced before Congress for the purpose of restricting or eliminating the federal income tax exemption for interest on certain types of municipal obligations, and it can be expected that similar proposals may be introduced in the future. As a result of any such future legislation, the availability of municipal obligations for investment by a Fund and the value of the securities held by it may be affected. It is possible that events occurring after the date of issuance of municipal obligations, or after a Funds acquisition of such an obligation, may result in a determination that the interest paid on that obligation is taxable, even retroactively.
In the course of managing its investments, a Fund may realize some short-term and long-term capital gains (and/or losses) as well as other taxable income. Any distributions by a Fund of its share of such capital gains (after reduction by any capital loss carryforwards) or other taxable income would be taxable to shareholders of the Fund. ^ However, it is expected that such amounts, if any, would normally be insubstantial in relation to the tax-exempt interest earned by the Funds.
A 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 a 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.
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A Funds ^ investments 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 a 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 a 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 a 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 a Fund.
As a result of entering into swap contracts, a Fund may make or receive periodic net payments. A 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 a Fund has been a party to a swap for more than one year). With respect to certain types of swaps, a 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.
In certain situations, a Fund may, for a taxable year, defer all or a portion of its capital losses realized after October until the next taxable year in computing its investment company taxable income and net capital gain, which will defer the recognition of such realized losses. Such deferrals and other rules regarding gains and losses realized after October may affect the tax character of shareholder distributions.
Any loss realized upon the sale or exchange of Fund shares with a tax holding period of six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any distributions treated as tax-exempt interest with respect to such shares and if the loss exceeds the disallowed amount, 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) on or before January 31 of the following calendar year 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 a 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 a 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.
^ Beginning in 2013, the Code ^ will impose a ^ 3.8% Medicare contribution 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 ^ .
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 ^ or "foreign shareholder" ) 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.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
For taxable years beginning before January 1, ^ 2012 , properly- ^ reported dividends ^ are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax where they (i) ^ are paid in respect of a Funds qualified net interest income (generally, a ^ Fund s 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) ^ are paid in respect of a Funds qualified short-term capital gains (generally, the excess of a Funds net short-term capital gain over the Funds long-term capital loss for such taxable year). However, depending on its circumstances, a Fund ^ may report 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 ^ will need 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 ^ may withhold even if a Fund ^ reports 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. ^
^
For taxable years beginning before January 1, ^ 2012 , distributions that a Fund ^ reports as short-term capital gain dividends or long-term capital gain dividends ^ will not ^ be treated as such to a recipient foreign shareholder if the distribution ^ is 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 a ^ Fund s direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property exceeded certain levels. Instead, if the foreign shareholder ^ has not owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of ^ a Fund at any time during the one year period ending on the date of distribution, such distributions ^ will be subject to 30% withholding by a Fund and ^ will be treated as ordinary dividends to the foreign shareholder; if the foreign shareholder owned more than 5% of the outstanding shares of a Fund at any time during the one year period ending on the date of the distribution, such distribution ^ will be treated as real property gain subject to 35% withholding tax and could subject the foreign shareholder to U.S. filing requirements. Additionally, if a ^ Fund s direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property were to exceed certain levels, a foreign shareholder realizing gains upon redemption from ^ a Fund on or before December 31, ^ 2011 could be subject to the 35% withholding tax and U.S. filing requirements unless more than 50% of ^ a Funds shares were owned by U.S. persons at such time or unless the foreign person had not held more than 5% of ^ a Funds outstanding shares throughout either such persons holding period for the redeemed shares or, if shorter, the previous five years ^ . It is not expected that a significant portion of a Funds interests will be in U.S. real property.
In addition, the same rules apply with respect to distributions to a foreign shareholder from a Fund and redemptions of a foreign shareholders interest in a Fund attributable to a REITs distribution to a Fund of gain from the sale or exchange of U.S. real property or an interest in a U.S. real property holding corporation, if a Funds direct or indirect interests in U.S. real property were to exceed certain levels. The rule with respect to distributions and redemptions attributable to a REITs distribution to a Fund will not expire for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012.
The rules laid out in the previous two paragraphs, other than the withholding rules, will apply notwithstanding a Funds participation in a wash sale transaction or its payment of a substitute dividend.
Provided that 50% or more of the value of a Funds stock is held by U.S. shareholders, distributions of U.S. real property interests (including securities in a U.S. real property holding corporation, unless such corporation is regularly traded on an established securities market and a Fund has held 5% or less of the outstanding shares of the corporation during the five-year period ending on the date of distribution) occurring on or before December 31, 2011, in redemption of a foreign shareholders shares of a Fund will cause a Fund to recognize gain. If a Fund is required to recognize gain, the amount of gain recognized will equal to the fair market value of such interests over a Funds adjusted bases to the extent of the greatest foreign ownership percentage of the Fund during the five-year period ending on the date of redemption.
^ Beginning with payments made after December 31, 2012, 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. A 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 . Non-U.S. financial institution shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of these requirements on their investment in a Fund.
Amounts paid by a 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 exchanges), at a rate of 28% for amounts paid through ^ 2012 . 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.
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
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 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 a 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 Eaton Vance, the Funds investment adviser. Each 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 a 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.
Municipal obligations, including state obligations, purchased and sold by each Fund are generally traded in the over-the-counter market on a net basis ( i.e. , without commission) through broker-dealers and banks acting for their own account rather than as brokers, or otherwise involve transactions directly with the issuer of such obligations. Such firms attempt to profit from such transactions by buying at the bid price and selling at the higher asked price of the market for such obligations, and the difference between the bid and asked price is customarily referred to as the spread. Each Fund may also purchase municipal obligations from underwriters, and dealers in fixed-price offerings, the cost of which may include undisclosed fees and concessions to the underwriters. On occasion it may be necessary or appropriate to purchase or sell a security through a broker on an agency basis, in which case the Fund will incur a brokerage commission. Although spreads or commissions on portfolio security transactions will, in the judgment of the investment adviser, be reasonable in relation to the value of the services provided, spreads or commissions exceeding those which another firm might charge may be paid to firms who were selected to execute transactions on behalf of each Fund and the investment advisers other clients for providing brokerage and research services to the investment adviser.
^
Pursuant to the safe harbor provided in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), a broker or dealer who executes a portfolio transaction may receive a commission that is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if the investment adviser determines in good faith that such compensation was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided. This determination may be made either on the basis of that particular transaction or on the basis of 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 ^ 1934 Act. 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 assist the investment adviser in the performance of its investment responsibilities.
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
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 advisers 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 1934 Act.
The investment companies sponsored by the investment adviser or its affiliates may also allocate trades in such offerings to acquire information relating to the performance, fees and expenses of such companies and other ^ investment companies , which information is used by the Trustees of such companies to fulfill their responsibility to oversee the quality of the services provided by various entities, including the investment adviser, to such companies. Such companies may also pay cash for such information.
Securities considered as investments for each 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 each 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 each 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 each 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.
^
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
33 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Commissions Paid on | ||||
Amount of Transactions | Transactions | |||
Directed to Firms | Directed to Firms | |||
Brokerage Commission Paid for the Fiscal Year Ended | Providing Research | Providing Research | ||
Fund | 1/31/11 | 1/31/10 | 1/31/11 | 1/31/11 |
Short Term Fund | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Intermediate Term Fund | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Long Term Fund | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
As of January 31, ^ 2011 , each Fund held no securities of its regular brokers or dealers, as that term is defined in Rule 10b-1 of the 1940 Act.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
The audited financial statements of, and the ^ report of the independent registered public accounting firm for ^ each Fund appear in its annual report to shareholders and are incorporated by reference into this SAI. A copy of each annual report accompanies this SAI.
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.
Registrant incorporates by reference the audited financial information and the reports of the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011, as previously filed electronically with the SEC (Accession No. 0000950123-11-030133).
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
35 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
APPENDIX A |
Class A Fees, Performance & Ownership |
Sales Charges and Distribution and Service Fees. For the ^ fiscal year ended^ January 31, 2011 , the following table shows (1) total sales charges paid by each Fund, (2) sales charges paid to financial intermediaries, (3) sales charges paid to the principal underwriter, (4) approximate CDSC payments to the principal underwriter, (5) total distribution and service fees paid by each Fund, and (6) distribution and service fees paid to financial intermediaries. Distribution and service fees that were not paid to financial intermediaries were retained by the principal underwriter.
^ | ||||||
Distribution and Service | ||||||
Total Sales Charges | Sales Charges to | Sales Charges to | CDSC Paid to | Total Distribution and | Fees Paid to | |
Fund | Paid | Financial Intermediaries | Principal Underwriter | Principal Underwriter | Service Fees Paid | Financial Intermediaries |
Short Term Fund | $2,367,168 | $2,228,543 | $138,625 | $202,000 | $1,003,159 | $123,279 |
Intermediate Term | ||||||
Fund | $ 11,209 | $ 10,228 | $ 921 | $ 4,900 | $ 1,694 | $ 568 |
Long Term Fund | $ 2,928 | $ 2,187 | $ 741 | None | $ 211 | $ 78 |
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2010 the following total sales charges were paid on sales of Class A, of which the principal underwriter received the following amounts. The balance of such amounts was paid to financial intermediaries.
Performance Information. The tables below indicate the average annual total return (both before and after taxes) on a hypothetical investment in shares of $1,000. Total return for the period prior to March 27, 2009 (for Short Term Fund) reflects the total return of the Predecessor Account shares, adjusted to reflect sales charges (if any) applicable to that Class. The total return shown below has not been adjusted to reflect Fund expenses (such as distribution and/or service fees). If such an adjustment was made, the total return of this Class would be different. Any performance presented with an asterisk (*) includes the effect of subsidizing expenses. Performance would have been lower without subsidies.
Total returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or public offering price with all distributions reinvested. Each Funds past performance (both before and after taxes) is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of Fund shares will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, a Funds current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For the Funds performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to www.eatonvance.com.
About Returns After Taxes. After-tax returns for the five and ten year periods for the Short Term Fund are not shown because the Predecessor Account, unlike a registered investment company, was not required to make annual income distributions to its investors. ^
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Short Term Fund | Length of Period Ended ^ January 31, 2011 | ||
Average Annual Total Return: | One Year* | Five Years* | Ten Years* |
Before Taxes and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | ^1.69% | ^4.33% | ^4.38% |
Before Taxes and Including Maximum Sales Charge | ^0.64% | ^3.86% | ^4.14% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | ^1.31% | ^ N/A | ^ N/A |
After Taxes on Distributions and Including Maximum Sales Charge | ^1.00% | ^ N/A | ^ N/A |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | ^1.42% | ^ N/A | ^ N/A |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Including Maximum Sales Charge | ^0.09% | ^ N/A | ^ N/A |
The performance prior to the Funds commencement of operations (March 27, 2009) is that of the Predecessor Account, adjusted for the Class A sales charges but not for other differences in the expenses of the Predecessor Account and Class A. |
Intermediate Term Fund | Length of Period Ended^ January 31, 2011 | |
Average Annual Total Return: | One Year* | Life of Fund* |
Before Taxes and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | ^5.38% | ^5.35% |
Before Taxes and Including Maximum Sales Charge | ^3.01% | ^2.99% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | ^5.28% | ^5.25% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Including Maximum Sales Charge | ^2.91% | ^2.90% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | ^3.95% | ^4.68% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Including Maximum Sales Charge | ^2.40% | ^2.68% |
Fund commenced operations on February 1, 2010 | ||
Long Term Fund | Length of Period Ended^ January 31, 2011 | |
Average Annual Total Return: | One Year* | Life of Fund* |
Before Taxes and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | ^3.21% | ^3.19% |
Before Taxes and Including Maximum Sales Charge | ^1.70% | ^1.69% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | ^2.33% | ^2.32% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Including Maximum Sales Charge | ^2.54 | ^2.53% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | ^3.04% | ^2.64% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Including Maximum Sales Charge | ^0.20% | ^1.51% |
Fund commenced operations on February 1, 2010 |
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
37 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities. At^ May 1, 2011 , the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of this Class of the Fund. In addition, as of the same date, the following person(s) held the share percentage indicated below, which was owned either (i) beneficially by such person(s) or (ii) of record by such person(s) on behalf of customers who are the beneficial owners of such shares and as to which such record owner(s) may exercise voting rights under certain limited circumstances: ^
Short Term Fund | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. | Jacksonville, FL | ^20.6% |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc.^ | Owings Mills, MD | ^6.7% | |
Morgan Stanley | Jersey City, NJ | ^6.2% | |
Intermediate Term Fund | MFD Streetside Location ATTN Deneena Hanrahan | St. Louis, MO | 30.5% |
American Enterprise Investment SVC. | Minneapolis, MN | 22.2% | |
NFS LLC FEBO Eric & Kelly Onnen TTEE | Goleta, CA | 14.3% | |
Samantha J. Onnen and Eric Onnen JTWROS | Goleta, CA | 11.9% | |
Raymond D. Little Jr. | Newark, NJ | 8.3% | |
Eaton Vance Management ATTN Accounting Dept. | Boston, MA | 6.8% | |
Janney Motgomery Scott LLC | Philadelphia, PA | 5.8% | |
Long Term Fund | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. | Jacsonville, FL | 60.6% |
Pershing LLC | Jersey City, NJ | 7.6% |
Beneficial owners of 25% or more of a Class are presumed to be in control of the Class for purposes of voting on certain matters submitted to shareholders.
To the knowledge of the Trust, no other person owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of this Class of the Fund as of such date.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
38 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
APPENDIX B |
Class C Fees, Performance & Ownership
Distribution and Service Fees. For the ^ fiscal year ended ^ January 31, 2011 , the following table shows (1) sales commissions paid by the principal underwriter to financial intermediaries on sales of Class C shares, (2) distribution fees paid to the principal underwriter under the Distribution Plan, (3) approximate CDSC payments to the principal underwriter, ^ (4) service fees paid under the Distribution Plan, and ^ (5) service fees paid to financial intermediaries. The service fees paid by the Funds that were not paid to financial intermediaries were retained by the principal underwriter.
^ | |||||
Commission Paid | |||||
by Principal | Distribution Fee | CDSC Paid to | Service Fees | ||
Underwriter to | Paid to | Principal | Service | Paid to | |
Fund | Financial Intermediaries | Principal Underwriter | Underwriter | Fees | Financial Intermediaries |
Short Term Fund | ^$965,238 | ^$834,319 | ^$63,000 | ^$278,106 | ^$321,746 |
Intermediate Term Fund | ^$5,672 | ^$1,307 | ^$ 30 | ^$ 435 | ^$1,891 |
Long Term Fund | ^$1,890 | ^$ 750 | ^None | ^$ 250 | ^$ 630 |
Performance Information. The tables below indicate the average annual total return (both before and after taxes) on a hypothetical investment in shares of $1,000. Total return for the period prior to March 27, 2009 (for Short Term Fund) reflects the total return of the Funds Predecessor Account shares, adjusted to reflect the Class C CDSC. The Predecessor Account total return has not been adjusted to reflect certain other expenses (such as distribution and/or service fees). If such adjustments were made, the Class C total return would be different. Any performance presented with an asterisk (*) includes the effect of subsidizing expenses. Performance would have been lower without subsidies.
Total returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or public offering price with all distributions reinvested. Each Funds past performance (both before and after taxes) is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of Fund shares will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, a Funds current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For the Funds performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to www.eatonvance.com.
About Returns After Taxes. After-tax returns for the five and ten year periods for the Short Term Fund are not shown because the Predecessor Account, unlike a registered investment company, was not required to make annual income distributions to its investors. ^
Short Term Fund | Length of Period Ended January 31, 2011 | ||
Average Annual Total Return: | One Year* | Five Years* | Ten Years* |
Before Taxes and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | ^0.93% | ^4.07% | ^4.25% |
Before Taxes and Including Maximum Sales Charge | ^0.07% | ^4.07% | ^4.25% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | ^0.58% | ^ N/A | ^ N/A |
After Taxes on Distributions and Including Maximum Sales Charge | ^0.42% | ^ N/A | ^ N/A |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | ^0.68% | ^ N/A | ^ N/A |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Including Maximum Sales Charge | ^0.04% | ^ N/A | ^ N/A |
The performance prior to the Funds commencement of operations (March 27, 2009) is that of the Predecessor Account, adjusted for the Class C sales charges but not for other differences in the expenses of the Predecessor Account and Class C. |
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
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SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
Intermediate Term Fund | Length of Period Ended January 31, 2011 | |
Average Annual Total Return: | One Year* | Life of Fund |
Before Taxes and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | 4.63% | 4.60% |
Before Taxes and Including Maximum Sales Charge | 3.63% | 4.60% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | 4.52% | 4.50% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Including Maximum Sales Charge | 3.52% | 4.50% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | 3.19% | 3.93% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Including Maximum Sales Charge | 2.54% | 3.93% |
Fund commenced operations on February 1, 2010 | ||
Long Term Fund | Length of Period Ended January 31, 2011 | |
Average Annual Total Return: | One Year* | Life of Fund |
Before Taxes and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | 2.44% | 2.43% |
Before Taxes and Including Maximum Sales Charge | 1.46% | 2.43% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | 1.57% | 1.56% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Including Maximum Sales Charge | 0.58% | 1.56% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Excluding Maximum Sales Charge | 2.26% | 1.87% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption and Including Maximum Sales Charge | 1.63% | 1.87% |
Fund commenced operations on February 1, 2010 |
Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities. At May 1, 2011, the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of this Class of the Fund. In addition, as of the same date, the following person(s) held the share percentage indicated below, which was owned either (i) beneficially by such person(s) or (ii) of record by such person(s) on behalf of customers who are the beneficial owners of such shares and as to which such record owner(s) may exercise voting rights under certain limited circumstances:
^
Beneficial owners of 25% or more of a Class are presumed to be in control of the Class for purposes of voting on certain matters submitted to shareholders.
To the knowledge of the Trust, no other person owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of this Class of the Fund as of such date.
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Funds |
40 |
SAI dated June 1, 2011 |
APPENDIX C |
Class I Performance & Ownership |
Performance Information. The tables below indicate the average annual total return (both before and after taxes) on a hypothetical investment in shares of $1,000. Total return for the period prior to March 27, 2009 (for Short Term Fund) ^ reflects the total return of the Predecessor Account shares, adjusted to reflect sales charges (if any) applicable to that Class. The total return shown below has not been adjusted to reflect Fund expenses (such as distribution and/or service fees). If such an adjustment was made, the total return of this Class would be different. Any performance presented with an asterisk (*) includes the effect of subsidizing expenses. Performance would have been lower without subsidies.
Total returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value or public offering price with all distributions reinvested. Each Funds past performance (both before and after taxes) is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value of Fund shares will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, a Funds current performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For the Funds performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to www.eatonvance.com.
About Returns After Taxes. After-tax returns for the five and ten year periods for Short Term Fund are not shown because the Predecessor Account, unlike a registered investment company, was not required to make annual income distributions to its investors. ^
Short Term Fund | Length of Period Ended January 31, 2011 | ||
Average Annual Total Return: | One Year | Five Years* | Ten Years* |
Before Taxes | ^1.94% | ^4.43% | ^4.43% |
After Taxes on Distributions | ^1.56% | ^N/A | ^N/A |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption | ^1.67% | ^N/A | ^N/A |
The performance prior to the Funds commencement of operations (March 27, 2009) is that of the Predecessor account, adjusted for the Predecessor Accounts sales charges but not for other differences in the expenses of the Predecessor Account and Class I. |
Intermediate Term Fund | Length of Period Ended January 31, 2011 | |
Average Annual Total Return: | One Year* | Life of Fund* |
Before Taxes | 5.62% | 5.58% |
After Taxes on Distributions | 5.52% | 5.49% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption | 4.19% | 4.92% |
Fund commenced operations on February 1, 2010 | ||
Long Term Fund | Length of Period Ended January 31, 2011 | |
Average Annual Total Return: | One Year* | Life of Fund* |
Before Taxes | 3.47% | 3.45% |
After Taxes on Distributions | 2.58% | 2.57% |
After Taxes on Distributions and Redemption | 3.29% | 2.90% |
Fund commenced operations on February 1, 2010 |
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Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities. At ^ May 1, 2011 , the Trustees and officers of the Trust, as a group, owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the outstanding shares of this Class of the Fund. In addition, as of the same date, the following person(s) held the share percentage indicated below, which was owned either (i) beneficially by such person(s) or (ii) of record by such person(s) on behalf of customers who are the beneficial owners of such shares and as to which such record owner(s) may exercise voting rights under certain limited circumstances: ^
Short Term Fund | Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith^ | Jacksonville, FL | ^41.5% |
Prudential Invest Management Service | Newark, NJ | ^15.9% | |
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. | Owings Mills, MD | ^13.7% | |
Intermediate Term Fund | Eaton Vance Management Attn Accounting Dept | Boston, MA | 58.7% |
NFS LLC FEBO P SWAFFIELD | Dover, MA | 26.7% | |
Charles Schwab & Co Inc. | San Francisco, CA | 12.8% | |
Long Term Fund | Eaton Vance Corp | Boston, MA | 71.7% |
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith | Jacksonville, FL | 24.2% |
Beneficial owners of 25% or more of a Class are presumed to be in control of the Class for purposes of voting on certain matters submitted to shareholders.
To the knowledge of the Trust, no other person owned of record or beneficially 5% or more of the outstanding shares of this Class of the Fund as of such date.
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APPENDIX D |
RATINGS |
The ratings indicated herein are believed to be the most recent ratings available at the date of this SAI for the securities listed. Ratings are generally given to securities at the time of issuance. While the rating agencies may from time to time revise such ratings, they undertake no obligation to do so, and the ratings indicated do not necessarily represent ratings which would be given to these securities on a particular date.
MOODYS INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. (Moodys)
LONG-TERM CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS RATINGS
Moodys long-term obligation ratings are opinions of the relative credit risk of fixed-income obligations with an original maturity of one year or more. They address the possibility that a financial obligation will not be honored as promised. Such ratings use Moodys Global Scale and reflect both the likelihood of default and any financial loss suffered in the event of default.
Aaa: Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
Aa: Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low risk.
A: Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa: Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
Ba: Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B: Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
Caa: Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
Ca: Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
C: Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Note: Moodys appends numerical modifiers, 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
SHORT-TERM CORPORATE OBLIGATION RATINGS
Moodys short term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers to honor short-term financial obligations. Ratings may be assigned to issuers, short-term programs or to individual short-term debt instruments. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months, unless explicitly noted.
P-1: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability ^ to repay short-term obligations.
NP: Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime ratings categories.
ISSUER RATINGS
Issuer Ratings are opinions of the ability of entities to honor senior unsecured financial obligations and contracts. Moodys expresses Issuer Ratings on its general long-term and short-term scales.
US MUNICIPAL RATINGS
Moodys municipal ratings are opinions of the investment quality of issuers and issues in the U.S. municipal market. As such, these ratings incorporate assessment of the default probability and loss severity of these issuers and issues. The default and loss content for Moodys municipal long-term rating scale differs from Moodys general long-term scale. Historical default and loss rates for obligations rated on the US Municipal Scale are significantly lower that for similarly rated corporate obligations. It is important that users of Moodys ratings understand these differences when making rating comparisons between the Municipal and Global scales.
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US MUNICIPAL LONG-TERM DEBT RATINGS
Municipal Ratings are based upon the analysis of five primary factors related to municipal finance: market position, financial position, debt levels, governance, and covenants. Each of the factors is evaluated individually and for its effect on the other factors in the context of the municipalitys ability to repay its debt.
Aaa: Issuers or issues rated Aaa demonstrate the strongest creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Aa: Issuers or issues rated Aa demonstrate very strong creditworthiness relative to other US municipal and tax-exempt issuers.
A: Issuers or issues rated A present above-average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Baa: Issuers or issues rated Baa represent average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Ba: Issuers or issues rated Ba demonstrate below-average creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
B: Issuers or issues rated B demonstrate weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Caa: Issuers or issues rated Caa demonstrate very weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Ca: Issuers or issues rated Ca demonstrate extremely weak creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
C: Issuers or issues rated Caa demonstrate the weakest creditworthiness relative to other US municipal or tax-exempt issuers or issues.
Note: Moodys appends numerical modifiers, 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
US MUNICIPAL SHORT-TERM OBLIGATION RATINGS AND DEMAND OBLIGATION RATINGS
Short-Term Obligation Ratings
There are three rating categories for short-term municipal obligations that are considered investment grade. These ratings are designated as Municipal Investment Grade (MIG) and are divided into three levels--MIG 1 through MIG 3. In addition, those short-term obligations that are of speculative quality are designated SG, or speculative grade. MIG ratings expires at the maturity of the obligation.
MIG 1: This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by established cash flows, highly reliable liquidity support, or demonstrated broad-band access to the market for refinancing.
MIG 2: This designation denotes strong credit quality. Margins of protection are ample, although not as large as in the preceding group.
MIG 3: This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Liquidity and cash-flow protection may be narrow, and market access for refinancing is likely to be less well-established.
SG: This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Debt instruments in this category may lack sufficient margins or protection.
Demand Obligation Ratings
In the case of variable rate demand obligations (VRDOs), a two-component rating is assigned; a long or short-term rating and demand obligation rating. The first element represents Moodys evaluation of the degree of risk associated with scheduled principal and interest payments. The second element represents Moodys evaluation of the degree of risk associated with the ability to receive purchase price upon demand (demand feature), using a variation of the MIG rating scale, the Variable Municipal Investment Grade or VMIG rating.
When either the long- or short-term aspect of a VRDO is not rated, that piece is designated NR., e.g., Aaa/NR or NR/VMIG.
VMIG rating expirations are a function of each issues specific structural or credit features.
VMIG 1: This designation denotes superior credit quality. Excellent protection is afforded by the superior short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
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VMIG 2: This designation denotes strong credit quality. Good protection is afforded by the strong short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
VMIG 3: This designation denotes acceptable credit quality. Adequate protection is afforded by the satisfactory short-term credit strength of the liquidity provider and structural and legal protections that ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
SG: This designation denotes speculative-grade credit quality. Demand features rated in this category may be supported by a liquidity provider that does not have an investment grade short-term rating or may lack the structural and/or legal protections necessary to ensure the timely payment of purchase price upon demand.
STANDARD & POORS RATINGS GROUP (S&P)
ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS DEFINITIONS
Issue credit ratings can be either long or short term. Short-term ratings are generally assigned to those obligations considered short-term in the relevant market. In the U.S., for example, that means obligations with an original maturity of no more than 365 days--including commercial paper. Short-term ratings are also used to indicated the creditworthiness of an obligor with respect to put-features on long-term obligations. The result is a dual rating, in which the short-term rating addresses the put feature, in addition to the usual long-term rating. Medium-term notes are assigned long-term ratings.
Issue credit ratings are based in varying degrees on the following considerations:
Likelihood of payment, capacity and willingness of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on an obligation in accordance with the terms of the obligation.
Nature of and provisions of the obligations;
Protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors rights.
Issue ratings are an assessment of default risk, but may incorporate an assessment of relative seniority or ultimate recovery in the event of default. Junior obligations are typically rated lower than senior obligations, to reflect the lower priority in bankruptcy, as noted above. (Such differentiation may apply when an entity has both senior and subordinated obligations, secured and unsecured obligations, or operating company and holding company obligations.)
LONG-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS:
AAA: An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
AA: An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is very strong.
A: An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitments on the obligation is still strong.
BBB: An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
BB, B, CCC, ^ CC and C
Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB: An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to non-payment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B: An obligation rated B is more vulnerable than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial or economic conditions will likely impair the obligors capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
CCC: An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial or, economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
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CC: An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
C: A subordinated debt or preferred stock obligation rated C is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The C rating may be
used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued. A C also will be assigned to a preferred stock issue in arrears on dividends or sinking fund payments, but that is currently paying.
D: A obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
NR: This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that S&P does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
SHORT-TERM ISSUE CREDIT RATINGS
A-1: A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by S&P. The obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitments on these obligation is extremely strong.
A-2: A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
A-3: A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B: A short-term obligation rated B is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. Ratings of B-1, B-2, and B-3 may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the B category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
B-1: A short-term obligation rated B-1 is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, but the obligor has a relatively stronger capacity to meet their financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
B-2: A short-term obligation rated B-2 is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has an average speculative-grade capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
B-3: A short-term obligation rated B-3 is regarded as having significant speculative characteristics, and the obligor has a relatively weaker capacity to meet its financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
C: A short-term obligation rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
D: A short-term obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless S&P believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized.
ISSUER CREDIT RATINGS ^ DEFINITIONS
Issuer credit ratings are based on current information furnished by obligors or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable. S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any issuer credit rating and may, on occasion, rely on unaudited financial information. Issuer credit ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of, such information, or based on other circumstances. Issuer credit ratings can either be long or short term. Short-term issuer credit ratings reflect the obligors creditworthiness over a short-term horizon.
LONG-TERM ISSUER CREDIT RATINGS
AAA: An obligor rated AAA has extremely strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. AAA is the highest issuer credit rating assigned by S&P.
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AA: An obligor rated AA has very strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It differs from the highest-rated obligors only to a small degree.
A: An obligor rated A has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments but is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in higher-rated categories.
BBB: An obligor rated BBB has adequate capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments.
BB, B, CCC and CC
Obligors rated BB, B, CCC, and CC are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and CC the highest. While such obligors will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
BB: An obligor BB is less vulnerable in the near term than other lower-rated obligors. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties and exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
B: An obligor rated B is more vulnerable than the obligors rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligors capacity or willingness to meets its financial commitments.
CCC: An obligor rated CCC is currently vulnerable, and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions to meet its financial commitments.
CC: An obligor rated CC is currently highly vulnerable.
Plus (+) or Minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus (+) or minus (-) sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
R: An obligor rated R is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition. During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over others or pay some obligations and not others. Please see S&Ps issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of regulatory supervision on specific issues or classes of obligations.
SD and D: An obligor rated SD (selective default) or D has failed to pay one or more of its obligations (rated or unrated) when it came due. A D rating is assigned when S&P believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An SD rating is assigned when S&P believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. Please see S&Ps issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of a default on specific issues or classes of obligations.
NR: An issuer designated NR is not rated.
SHORT-TERM ISSUER CREDIT RATINGS
A-1: An obligor rated A-1 has strong capacity to meet its financial commitments. It is rated in the highest category by S&P. Within this category, certain obligors are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligors capacity to meet its financial commitments is extremely strong.
A-2: An obligor rated A-2 has satisfactory capacity to meet its financial commitments. However, it is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligors in the highest rating category.
A-3: An obligor rated A-3 has adequate capacity to meet its financial obligations. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitments.
B: An obligor rated B is regarded as vulnerable and has significant speculative characteristics. Ratings B-1, B-2, and B-3 may be assigned to indicate finer distinctions within the B category. The obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitments; however, it faces major ongoing uncertainties which could lead to the obligors inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitments.
B-1: Obligors with a B-1 short-term rating have a relatively stronger capacity to meet their financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
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B-2: Obligors with a B-2 short-term rating have an average speculative-grade capacity to meet their financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
B-3: Obligors with a B-3 short-term rating have a relatively weaker capacity to meet their financial commitments over the short-term compared to other speculative-grade obligors.
C: An obligor rated C is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for it to meet its financial commitments.
R: An obligor rated R is under regulatory supervision owing to its financial condition. During the pendency of the regulatory supervision the regulators may have the power to favor one class of obligations over others or pay some obligations and not others. Please see S&Ps issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of regulatory supervision on specific issues or classes of obligations.
SD and D: An obligor rated SD (selective default) or D has failed to pay one or more of its obligations (rated or unrated) when it came due. A D rating is assigned when S&P believes that the default will be a general default and that the obligor will fail to pay all or substantially all of its obligations as they come due. An SD rating is assigned when S&P believes that the obligor has selectively defaulted on a specific issue or class of obligations but it will continue to meet its payment obligations on other issues or classes of obligations in a timely manner. Please see S&Ps issue credit ratings for a more detailed description of the effects of a default on specific issues or classes of obligations.
NR: An issuer designated as NR is not rated.
MUNICIPAL RATINGS
SHORT-TERM NOTES: An S&P U.S. municipal note ratings reflects the liquidity factors and market access risks unique to notes. Notes due in three years or less will likely receive a note rating. Notes maturing beyond three years will most likely receive a long-term debt rating. The following criteria will be used in making that assessment:
Amortization schedule--the larger the final maturity relative to other maturities, the more likely it will be treated as a note; and
Source of payment--the more dependent the issue is on the market for its refinancing, the more likely it will be treated as a note.
Note rating symbols are as follows:
SP-1: Strong capacity to pay principal and interest. An issue determined to possess a very strong capacity to pay debt will be given a plus(+) designation.
SP-2: Satisfactory capacity to pay principal and interest, with some vulnerability to adverse financial and economic changes over the term of the notes.
SP-3: Speculative capacity to pay principal and interest.
FITCH RATINGS
LONG-TERM CREDIT RATINGS
Investment Grade
AAA: Highest credit quality AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. The capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA: Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A: High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. The capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions that is the case for higher ratings.
BBB: Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that they are currently expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
Speculative Grade
BB: Speculative. BB ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade. The obligors ability to pay interest and repay principal may be affected over time by adverse economic changes. However, business and financial alternatives can be identified that could assist the obligor in satisfying its debt service requirements.
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B: Highly speculative. For issuers and performing obligations, B ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for extremely high recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery of Rating RR1 (outstanding).
CCC: For issuers and performing obligations, default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic conditions.
For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for average to superior levels of recovery. Differences in credit quality may be denoted by plus/minus distinctions. Such obligations typically would possess a Recovery Rating of RR2 (superior), RR3 (good) or RR4 (average).
CC: For issuers and performing obligations, default of some kind appears probable.
For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with a Recovery Rating of 'RR4' (average) or 'RR5' (below average).
C: For issuers performing obligations, default is imminent.
For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for below-average to poor recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of RR6 (poor).
RD: Indicates an entity that has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace period) on some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of obligations.
D: Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations. Default generally is defined as one of the following:
Failure of an obligor to make timely payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of any financial obligation; The bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of business of an obligor; The distressed or other coercive exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation.
Default ratings are not assigned prospectively; within this context, non-payment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period.
Issuers will be rated 'D' upon a default. Defaulted and distressed obligations typically are rated along the continuum of 'C' to 'B' ratings categories, depending upon their recovery prospects and other relevant characteristics. Additionally, in structured finance transactions, where analysis indicates that an instrument is irrevocably impaired such that it is not expected to meet pay interest and/or principal in full in accordance with the terms of the obligation's documentation during the life of the transaction, but where no payment default in accordance with the terms of the documentation is imminent, the obligation may be rated in the 'B' or 'CCC-C' categories.
Default is determined by reference to the terms of the obligations' documentation. Fitch will assign default ratings where it has reasonably determined that payment has not been made on a material obligation in accordance with the requirements of the obligation's documentation, or where it believes that default ratings consistent with Fitch's published definition of default are the most appropriate ratings to assign.
Notes to Long-Term ratings:
The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the 'AAA' Long-term rating category, to categories below 'CCC', or to Short-term ratings other than 'F1'. (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.)
Short-Term Credit Ratings
The following ratings scale applies to foreign currency and local currency ratings. A Short-term rating has a time horizon of less than 13 months for most obligations, or up to three years for US public finance, in line with industry standards, to reflect unique risk characteristics of bond, tax and revenue anticipation notes that are commonly issued with terms up to three years. Short-term ratings thus place greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
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F1: Highest credit quality. Indicates the strongest capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added "+" to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2: Good credit quality. A satisfactory capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, but the margin of safety is not as great as in the case of the higher ratings.
F3: Fair credit quality. The capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate; however, near term adverse changes could result in a reduction to non investment grade.
B: Speculative. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C: High default risk. Default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
D: Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations.
Notes to Short-Term ratings:
The modifiers "+" or "-" may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the 'AAA' Long-term rating category, to categories below 'CCC', or to Short-term ratings other than 'F1'. (The +/- modifiers are only used to denote issues within the CCC category, whereas issuers are only rated CCC without the use of modifiers.)
DESCRIPTION OF INSURANCE FINANCIAL STRENGTH RATINGS
Moodys Investors Service, Inc. Insurance Financial Strength Ratings
Moodys Insurance Financial Strength Ratings are opinions of the ability of insurance companies to repay punctually senior policyholder claims and obligations. Specific obligations are considered unrated unless they are individually rated because the standing of a particular insurance obligation would depend on an assessment of its relative standing under those laws governing both the obligation and the insurance company. Insurance Companies rated Aaa offer exceptional financial security. While the credit profile of these companies is likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair their fundamentally strong position.
Standard &Poors Insurance Financial Strength Ratings
A S&P insurer financial strength rating is a current opinion of the financial security characteristics of an insurance organization with respect to its ability to pay under its insurance policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. Insurer financial strength ratings are also assigned to health maintenance organizations and similar health plans with respect to their ability to pay under their policies and contracts in accordance with their terms. This opinion is not specific to any particular policy or contract, nor does it address the suitability of a particular policy or contract for a specific purpose or purchaser. Furthermore, the opinion does not take into account deductibles, surrender or cancellation penalties, timeliness of payment, nor the likelihood of the use of a defense such as fraud to deny claims. For organizations with cross-border or multinational operations, including those conducted by subsidiaries or branch offices, the ratings do not take into account potential that may exist for foreign exchange restrictions to prevent financial obligations from being met. Insurer financial strength ratings are based on information furnished by rated organizations or obtained by S&P from other sources it considers reliable. S&P does not perform an audit in connection with any rating and may on occasion rely on unaudited financial information. Ratings may be changed, suspended, or withdrawn as a result of changes in, or unavailability of such information or based on other circumstances. Insurer financial strength ratings do not refer to an organization's ability to meet nonpolicy (i.e. debt) obligations. Assignment of ratings to debt issued by insurers or to debt issues that are fully or partially supported by insurance policies, contracts, or guarantees is a separate process from the determination of insurer financial strength ratings, and follows procedures consistent with issue credit rating definitions and practices. Insurer financial strength ratings are not a recommendation to purchase or discontinue any policy or contract issued by an insurer or to buy, hold, or sell any security issued by an insurer. A rating is not a guaranty of an insurer's financial strength or security. An insurer rated AAA has extremely strong financial security characteristics. AAA is the highest insurer financial strength rating assigned by S&P.
Fitch Insurer Financial Strength Ratings
The Fitch Insurer Financial Strength (IFS) Rating provides an assessment of the financial strength of an insurance organization. The IFS Rating is assigned to the insurance company's policyholder obligations, including assumed reinsurance obligations and contract holder obligations, such as guaranteed investment contracts. The IFS Rating reflects both the ability of the insurer to meet these obligations on a timely basis, and expected recoveries received by claimants in the event the insurer stops making payments or payments are interrupted, due to either the failure of the insurer or some form of regulatory intervention. In the context of the IFS Rating, the timeliness of payments is considered relative to both contract and/or policy terms but also recognizes the possibility of reasonable delays caused by circumstances common to the insurance industry, including claims reviews, fraud investigations and
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coverage disputes. The IFS Rating does not encompass policyholder obligations residing in separate accounts, unit-linked products or segregated funds, for which the policyholder bears investment or other risks. However, any guarantees provided to the policyholder with respect such obligations are included in the IFS Rating. Expected recoveries are based on Fitch's assessments of the sufficiency of an insurance company's assets to fund policyholder obligations, in a scenario in which payments have been ceased or interrupted. Accordingly, expected recoveries exclude the impact of recoveries obtained from any government sponsored guaranty or policyholder protection funds. Expected recoveries also exclude the impact of collateralizing or security, such as letters of credit or trusteed assets, supporting select reinsurance obligations. IFS Ratings can be assigned to insurance and reinsurance companies in any insurance sector, including the life & annuity, non-life, property/casualty, health, mortgage, financial guaranty, residual value and title insurance sectors, as well as to managed care companies such as health maintenance organizations. The IFS Rating does not address the quality of an insurer's claims handling services or the relative value of products sold. AAA IFS Rating is exceptional strong. AAA IFS Rating denotes the lowest exception of ceased or interrupted payments. They are assigned only in the case of exceptionally strong capacity to meet policyholder and contract obligations on a timely basis. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
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APPENDIX E |
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 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
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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 F |
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES |
I. Introduction
Eaton Vance Management, Boston Management and Research and Eaton Vance Investment Counsel (each an Adviser and collectively the Advisers) have each adopted and implemented policies and procedures that each Adviser believes are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best interest of clients, in accordance with its fiduciary duties and Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Advisers authority to vote the proxies of their clients is established by their advisory contracts or similar documentation, such as the Eaton Vance Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures. These proxy policies and procedures reflect the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requirements governing advisers and the long-standing fiduciary standards and responsibilities for ERISA accounts set out in the Department of Labor Bulletin 94-2 C.F.R. 2509.94-2 (July 29, 1994).
II. Overview
Each Adviser manages its clients assets with the overriding goal of seeking to provide the greatest possible return to such clients consistent with governing laws and the investment policies of each client. In pursuing that goal, each Adviser seeks to exercise its clients rights as shareholders of voting securities to support sound corporate governance of the companies issuing those securities with the principle aim of maintaining or enhancing the companies economic value.
The exercise of shareholder rights is generally done by casting votes by proxy at shareholder meetings on matters submitted to shareholders for approval (for example, the election of directors or the approval of a companys stock option plans for directors, officers or employees). Each Adviser is adopting the formal written Guidelines described in detail below and will utilize such Guidelines in voting proxies on behalf of its clients. These Guidelines are designed to promote accountability of a companys management and board of directors to its shareholders and to align the interests of management with those of shareholders.
Each Adviser will vote any proxies received by a client for which it has sole investment discretion through a third-party proxy voting service (Agent) in accordance with customized policies, as approved by the Boards of Trustees of the Eaton Vance Funds and, with respect to proxies referred back to the Adviser by the Agent pursuant to the Guidelines, in a manner that is reasonably designed to eliminate any potential conflicts of interest, as described more fully below. The Agent is currently Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. Proxies will be voted in accordance with client-specific guidelines and an Eaton Vance Funds sub-advisers proxy voting policies and procedures, if applicable.
No set of guidelines can anticipate all situations that may arise. In special cases, the Proxy Administrator (the person specifically charged with the responsibility to oversee the Agent and coordinate the voting of proxies referred back to the Adviser by the Agent) may seek insight from the Proxy Group established by the Advisers. The Proxy Group will assist in the review of the Agents recommendation when a proxy voting issue is referred to the Proxy Group through the Proxy Administrator. The members of the Proxy Group, which may include employees of the Advisers affiliates, may change at the Advisers discretion.
III. Roles and Responsibilities
A. Proxy Administrator
The Proxy Administrator will assist in the coordination of the voting of each clients proxy in accordance with the Guidelines below and the Funds Proxy Voting Policy and Procedures. The Proxy Administrator is authorized to direct the Agent to vote a proxy in accordance with the Guidelines. Responsibilities assigned herein to the Proxy Administrator, or activities in support thereof, may be performed by such members of the Proxy Group or employees of the Advisers affiliates as are deemed appropriate by the Proxy Group.
B. Agent
An independent proxy voting service (the Agent), as approved by the Board of each Fund, shall be engaged to assist in the voting of proxies. The Agent is currently Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. The Agent is responsible for coordinating with the clients custodians and the Advisers to ensure that all proxy materials received by the custodians relating to the portfolio securities are processed in a timely fashion. The Agent is required to vote and/or refer all proxies in accordance with the Guidelines below. The Agent shall retain a record of all proxy votes handled by the Agent. Such record must reflect all of the information required to be disclosed in a Funds Form N-PX pursuant to Rule 30b1-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In addition, the Agent is responsible for maintaining copies of all proxy statements received by issuers and to promptly provide such materials to an Adviser upon request.
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Subject to the oversight of the Advisers, the Agent shall establish and maintain adequate internal controls and policies in connection with the provision of proxy voting services to the Advisers, including methods to reasonably ensure that its analysis and recommendations are not influenced by a conflict of interest, and shall disclose such controls and policies to the Advisers when and as provided for herein. Unless otherwise specified, references herein to recommendations of the Agent shall refer to those in which no conflict of interest has been identified.
C. Proxy Group
The Adviser shall establish a Proxy Group which shall assist in the review of the Agents recommendations when a proxy voting issue has been referred to the Proxy Administrator by the Agent. The members of the Proxy Group, which may include employees of the Advisers affiliates, may be amended from time to time at the Advisers discretion.
For each proposal referred to the Proxy Group, the Proxy Group will review the (i) Guidelines, (ii) recommendations of the Agent, and (iii) any other resources that any member of the Proxy Group deems appropriate to aid in a determination of the recommendation.
If the Proxy Group recommends a vote in accordance with the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, it shall instruct the Proxy Administrator to so advise the Agent.
If the Proxy Group recommends a vote contrary to the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, or if the proxy statement relates to a conflicted company of the Agent, as determined by the Advisers, it shall follow the procedures for such voting outlined below.
The Proxy Administrator shall use best efforts to convene the Proxy Group with respect to all matters requiring its consideration. In the event the Proxy Group cannot meet in a timely manner in connection with a voting deadline, the Proxy Administrator shall follow the procedures for such voting outlined below.
IV. Proxy Voting Guidelines ("Guidelines")
A. General Policies
It shall generally be the policy of the Advisers to take no action on a proxy for which no client holds a position or otherwise maintains an economic interest in the relevant security at the time the vote is to be cast.
In all cases except those highlighted below, it shall generally be the policy of the Advisers to vote in accordance with the recommendation by the Agent, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc.
When a fund client participates in the lending of its securities and the securities are on loan at the record date, proxies related to such securities generally will not be forwarded to the relevant Adviser by the funds custodian and therefore will not be voted. In the event that the Adviser determines that the matters involved would have a material effect on the applicable funds investment in the loaned securities, the fund will exercise its best efforts to terminate the loan in time to be able to cast such vote or exercise such consent.
Interpretation and application of these Guidelines is not intended to supersede any law, regulation, binding agreement or other legal requirement to which an issuer may be or become subject. The Guidelines relate to the types of proposals that are most frequently presented in proxy statements to shareholders. Absent unusual circumstances, each Adviser will utilize these Guidelines when voting proxies on behalf of its clients. The Guidelines may be revised at any time, provided such revisions are reported to the Boards of Trustees of the Eaton Vance Funds.
B. Proposals Regarding Mergers and Corporate Restructurings
The Agent shall be directed to refer proxy proposals accompanied by its written analysis and voting recommendation to the Proxy Administrator for all proposals relating to Mergers and Corporate Restructurings.
C. Proposals Regarding Mutual Fund Proxies Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation and Mergers
The Agent shall be directed to refer proxy proposals accompanied by its written analysis and voting recommendation to the Proxy Administrator for all proposals relating to the Disposition of Assets/Termination/Liquidation and Mergers contained in mutual fund proxies.
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D. Corporate Structure Matters/Anti-Takeover Defenses
As a general matter, the Advisers will normally vote against anti-takeover measures and other proposals designed to limit the ability of shareholders to act on possible transactions (except in the case of closed-end management investment companies).
E. Social and Environmental Issues
The Advisers generally support management on social and environmental proposals.
F. Voting Procedures
Upon receipt of a referral from the Agent or upon advice from an Eaton Vance investment professional, the Proxy Administrator may solicit additional research from the Agent, as well as from any other source or service.
1. WITHIN-GUIDELINES VOTES: Votes in Accordance with the Guidelines and/or, where applicable, Agent Recommendation
In the event the Proxy Administrator recommends a vote within Guidelines and/or, where applicable, in accordance with the Agents recommendation, the Proxy Administrator will instruct the Agent to vote in this manner.
2. NON-VOTES: Votes in Which No Action is Taken
The Proxy Administrator may recommend that a client refrain from voting under the following circumstances: (i) if the economic effect on shareholders' interests or the value of the portfolio holding is indeterminable or insignificant, e.g., proxies in connection with securities no longer held in the portfolio of a client or proxies being considered on behalf of a client that is no longer in existence; or (ii) if the cost of voting a proxy outweighs the benefits, e.g., certain international proxies, particularly in cases in which share blocking practices may impose trading restrictions on the relevant portfolio security. In such instances, the Proxy Administrator may instruct the Agent not to vote such proxy.
Reasonable efforts shall be made to secure and vote all other proxies for the clients, but, particularly in markets in which shareholders' rights are limited, Non-Votes may also occur in connection with a client's related inability to timely access ballots or other proxy information in connection with its portfolio securities.
Non-Votes may also result in certain cases in which the Agent's recommendation has been deemed to be conflicted, as provided for herein.
3. OUT-OF-GUIDELINES VOTES: Votes Contrary to Guidelines, or Agent Recommendation, where applicable, Where No Recommendation is Provided by Agent, or Where Agent's Recommendation is Conflicted
If the Proxy Administrator recommends that a client vote contrary to the Guidelines, or the recommendation of the Agent, where applicable, if the Agent has made no recommendation on a matter requiring case-by-case consideration and the Guidelines are silent, or the Agent's recommendation on a matter requiring case-by-case consideration is deemed to be conflicted, the Proxy Administrator will forward the Agents analysis and recommendation and any research obtained from the Agent or any other source to the Proxy Group. The Proxy Group may consult with the Agent as it deems necessary. The Proxy Administrator will instruct the Agent to vote the proxy as recommended by the Proxy Group. The Adviser will provide a report to the Boards of Trustees of the Eaton Vance Funds reflecting any votes cast contrary to the Guidelines or Agent Recommendation, as applicable, and shall do so no less than annually.
The Proxy Administrator will maintain a record of all proxy questions that have been referred by the Agent, all applicable recommendations, analysis and research received and any resolution of the matter.
V. Recordkeeping
The Advisers will maintain records relating to the proxies they vote on behalf of their clients in accordance with Section 204-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Those records will include:
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A copy of the Advisers proxy voting policies and procedures; |
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Proxy statements received regarding client securities. Such proxy statements received from issuers are either in the SECs |
EDGAR database or are kept by the Agent and are available upon request; | |
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A record of each vote cast; |
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A copy of any document created by the Advisers that was material to making a decision on how to vote a proxy for a |
client or that memorializes the basis for such a decision; and | |
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Each written client request for proxy voting records and the Advisers written response to any client request (whether |
written or oral) for such records. |
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All records described above will be maintained in an easily accessible place for five years and will be maintained in the offices of the Advisers or their Agent for two years after they are created.
VI. Assessment of Agent and Identification and Resolution of Conflicts with Clients A. Assessment of Agent
The Advisers shall establish that the Agent (i) is independent from the Advisers, (ii) has resources that indicate it can competently provide analysis of proxy issues, and (iii) can make recommendations in an impartial manner and in the best interests of the clients and, where applicable, their beneficial owners. The Advisers shall utilize, and the Agent shall comply with, such methods for establishing the foregoing as the Advisers may deem reasonably appropriate and shall do so not less than annually as well as prior to engaging the services of any new proxy voting service. The Agent shall also notify the Advisers in writing within fifteen (15) calendar days of any material change to information previously provided to an Adviser in connection with establishing the Agent's independence, competence or impartiality.
B. Conflicts of Interest
As fiduciaries to their clients, each Adviser puts the interests of its clients ahead of its own. In order to ensure that relevant personnel of the Advisers are able to identify potential material conflicts of interest, each Adviser will take the following steps:
| Quarterly, the Eaton Vance Legal and Compliance Department will seek information from the department heads of each | ||
department of the Advisers and of Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD) (an affiliate of the Advisers and principal | |||
underwriter of certain Eaton Vance Funds). Each department head will be asked to provide a list of significant clients | |||
or prospective clients of the Advisers or EVD. | |||
| A representative of the Legal and Compliance Department will compile a list of the companies identified (the Conflicted | ||
Companies) and provide that list to the Proxy Administrator. | |||
| The Proxy Administrator will compare the list of Conflicted Companies with the names of companies for which he or she | ||
has been referred a proxy statement (the Proxy Companies). If a Conflicted Company is also a Proxy Company, the | |||
Proxy Administrator will report that fact to the Proxy Group. | |||
| If the Proxy Administrator expects to instruct the Agent to vote the proxy of the Conflicted Company strictly according to | ||
the Guidelines contained in these Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (the Policies) or the recommendation of the | |||
Agent, as applicable, he or she will (i) inform the Proxy Group of that fact, (ii) instruct the Agent to vote the proxies and | |||
(iii) record the existence of the material conflict and the resolution of the matter. | |||
| If the Proxy Administrator intends to instruct the Agent to vote in a manner inconsistent with the Guidelines contained | ||
herein or the recommendation of the Agent, as applicable, the Proxy Group, in consultation with Eaton Vance senior | |||
management, will then determine if a material conflict of interest exists between the relevant Adviser and its clients. If | |||
the Proxy Group, in consultation with Eaton Vance senior management, determines that a material conflict exists, prior | |||
to instructing the Agent to vote any proxies relating to these Conflicted Companies the Adviser will seek instruction on | |||
how the proxy should be voted from: | |||
| The client, in the case of an individual or corporate client; | ||
| In the case of a Fund, its board of directors, any committee or sub-committee or group of Independent Trustees (as | ||
long as such committee, sub-committee or group contains at least two or more Independent Trustees); or | |||
| The adviser, in situations where the Adviser acts as a sub-adviser to such adviser. |
The Adviser will provide all reasonable assistance to each party to enable such party to make an informed decision.
If the client, Fund board or adviser, as the case may be, fails to instruct the Adviser on how to vote the proxy, the Adviser will generally instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Administrator, to abstain from voting in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety. If however, the failure of the Adviser to vote its clients proxies would have a material adverse economic impact on the Advisers clients securities holdings in the Conflicted Company, the Adviser may instruct the Agent, through the Proxy Administrator, to vote such proxies in order to protect its clients interests. In either case, the Proxy Administrator will record the existence of the material conflict and the resolution of the matter.
The Advisers shall also identify and address conflicts that may arise from time to time concerning the Agent. Upon the Advisers request, which shall be not less than annually, and within fifteen (15) calendar days of any material change to such information previously provided to an Adviser, the Agent shall provide the Advisers with such information as the Advisers deem reasonable and appropriate for use in determining material relationships of the Agent that may pose a conflict of interest with respect to the Agents proxy analysis or recommendations. Such information shall include, but is not limited to, a monthly report from the Agent detailing the Agents Corporate Securities Division clients and related revenue data. The Advisers shall review such information on a monthly
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basis. The Proxy Administrator shall instruct the Agent to refer any proxies for which a material conflict of the Agent is deemed to be present to the Proxy Administrator. Any such proxy referred by the Agent shall be referred to the Proxy Group for consideration accompanied by the Agents written analysis and voting recommendation. The Proxy Administrator will instruct the Agent to vote the proxy as recommended by the Proxy Group.
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PART C - OTHER INFORMATION |
C-1
C-2
C-3
(5) | Amended and Restated Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II Class C Distribution Plan on behalf of Eaton | |
Vance Tax-Advantaged Intermediate Term Fund and Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Long Term Fund | ||
filed as Exhibit (m)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 34 filed January 29, 2010 (Accession No. | ||
0000940394-10-000106) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(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. 02- | ||
90946, 811-4015) filed August 10, 2007 (Accession No. 0000940394-07-000956) and | ||
incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(2) | Schedule A effective May 25, 2011 to Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan filed as Exhibit | |
(n)(2) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 170 of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 02- | ||
90946, 811-4015) filed May 25, 2011 (Accession No. 0000940394-11-000607) and | ||
incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(3) | Schedule B effective May 25, 2011 to Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan filed as Exhibit | |
(n)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 170 of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 02- | ||
90946, 811-4015) filed May 25, 2011 (Accession No. 0000940394-11-000607) and | ||
incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(4) | Schedule C effective May 25, 2011 to Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan filed as Exhibit | |
(n)(4) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 170 of Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (File Nos. 02- | ||
90946, 811-4015) filed May 25, 2011 (Accession No. 0000940394-11-000607) and | ||
incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(p) | 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. | ||
(q) | (1) | Powers of Attorney for Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II dated April 23, 2007 filed as Exhibit (q) to |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 25 (Accession No. 0000940394-07-000558) filed May 4, 2007 | ||
and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(2) | Power of Attorney for Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II dated January 1, 2008 filed as Exhibit (q)(2) | |
to Post Effective Amendment No. 27 (Accession No. 0000940394-08-000800) filed May 29, | ||
2008 and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(3) | Power of Attorney for Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II dated November 17, 2008 filed as Exhibit | |
(q)(3) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 filed November 20, 2008 (Accession No. 000940394- | ||
08-001433) and incorporated herein by reference. | ||
(4) | Power of Attorney for Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II dated February 7, 2011 filed herewith. |
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.
C-4
Item 31. Business and other Connections of Investment Adviser
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) and Boston Management and Research (File No. 801-43127), filed with the Commission, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 32. Principal Underwriters
(a) Registrants principal underwriter, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eaton Vance Corp., is the principal underwriter for each of the registered investment companies named below:
Eaton Vance Growth Trust | Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust | ||
Eaton Vance Investment Trust | Eaton Vance Series Trust II | ||
Eaton Vance Managed Income Term Trust | Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust | ||
Eaton Vance Municipals Trust | Eaton Vance Variable Trust | ||
Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II | |||
(b) | |||
(1) | (2) | (3) | |
Name and Principal | Positions and Offices | Positions and Offices | |
Business Address* | with Principal Underwriter | with Registrant | |
Julie Andrade | Vice President | None | |
Michelle Baran | Vice President | None | |
Ira Baron | Vice President | None | |
Jeffrey P. Beale | Vice President | None | |
Matthew Bennett | Vice President | None | |
Brian Blair | Vice President | None | |
Stephanie H. Brady | Vice President | None | |
Timothy Breer | Vice President | None | |
Mark Burkhard | Vice President | None | |
Peter Campagna | Vice President | None | |
Eric Caplinger | Vice President | None | |
Daniel C. Cataldo | Vice President and Treasurer | None | |
Tiffany Cayarga | Vice President | None | |
Randy Clark | Vice President | None | |
Adam Cole | Vice President | None | |
Michael Collins | Vice President | None | |
Eric Cooper | Vice President | None | |
Patrick Cosgrove | Vice President | None | |
Peter Crowley | Vice President | None | |
Rob Curtis | Vice President | None | |
Russell E. Curtis | Vice President and Chief Operations Officer | None | |
Keith Darby | Vice President | 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 |
C-5
Troy Evans | Vice President | None |
Lawrence L. Fahey | Vice President | None |
Thomas E. Faust Jr. | Director | Trustee |
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 |
Bradford Godfrey | 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 |
Joseph Kosciuszek | Vice President | None |
Kathleen Krivelow | 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 |
Christopher Mason | Vice President | None |
Judy Snow May | 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 |
C-6
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 | None |
Andrew Ogren | Vice President | None |
Stephen OLoughlin | Vice President | None |
Philip Pace | Vice President | None |
Steve Pietricola | Vice President | None |
John Pumphrey | 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 |
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 |
Joseph Yasinski | Vice President | None |
John Young | Vice President | None |
Trey Young | Vice President | None |
Gregor Yuska | Vice President | None |
* Address is Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110
(c) Not applicable
C-7
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 Eaton Vance Management and Boston Management and Research, both located at Two International Place, Boston, MA 02110.
Item 34. Management Services
Not applicable
Item 35. Undertakings
None.
C-8
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 May 26, 2011 .
EATON VANCE MUNICIPALS TRUST II
By: /s/ CYNTHIA J. CLEMSON Cynthia J. Clemson, President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on May 26, 2011 .
Signature | Title |
/s/ Cynthia J. Clemson | President (Chief Executive Officer) |
Cynthia J. Clemson | |
/s/ Barbara E. Campbell | Treasurer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
Barbara E. Campbell | |
Benjamin C. Esty* | Trustee |
Benjamin C. Esty | |
Thomas E. Faust Jr.* | Trustee |
Thomas E. Faust Jr. | |
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 | |
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-9
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 | ||
(d) | (3) | (b) | Fee Reduction Agreement dated May 1, 2011 with Boston Management and Research for Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund |
(h) | (4) | (b) | Amended Schedule A effective June 1, 2011 to the Expense Waivers/Reimbursements Agreement |
dated October 16, 2007 | |||
(i) | (2) | Consent of Internal Counsel dated May 26, 2011 | |
(j) | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm dated May 26, 2011 | ||
(q) | (4) | Power of Attorney for Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II dated February 7, 2011 |
C-10
EXHIBIT (d)(3)(b) |
FEE REDUCTION AGREEMENT |
AGREEMENT effective as of May 1, 2011, between Eaton Vance Municipal Trust II (the Trust) on behalf of its series, Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund (the Fund), and Boston Management and Research (the Adviser).
WHEREAS, the Trust on behalf of the Fund has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement (Advisory Agreement) with the Adviser, which Advisory Agreement provides that the Adviser shall be entitled to receive both an asset-based fee and an income based fee payable at specified rates;
WHEREAS, the Adviser has agreed with the Board of Trustees of the Trust to reduce the advisory fee rates as described 1 below; and
WHEREAS, the Adviser and the Trust wish to memorialize the foregoing in writing;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Trust and the Adviser hereby agree as follows:
1. Notwithstanding any provisions of the Advisory Agreement to the contrary, the Adviser will reduce its advisory fee in accordance with the fee schedule included as Appendix A.
2. This Agreement only may be terminated or amended upon the mutual written consent of a Trust and the Adviser; provided, however, that (i) no termination of this Agreement shall be effective unless approved by the majority vote of those Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons of the Adviser or the Trust (the Independent Trustees) and by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund; (ii) no amendment of this Agreement shall be effective unless approved by the majority vote of the Independent Trustees; and (iii) no amendment of this Agreement that decreases the fee reductions set forth herein shall be effective unless approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.
3. For purposes of this Agreement the term vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund shall the meaning specified in the Declaration of Trust of the Fund.
4. This instrument is executed under seal and shall be governed by Massachusetts law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF , this Agreement has been executed as of the date set forth above by a duly authorized officer of each party.
Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II on behalf of Eaton
Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund By: /s/ Barbara E. Campbell Barbara E. Campbell Treasurer |
Boston Management and Research
By: /s/Maureen A. Gemma Maureen A. Gemma Vice President |
Exhibit A |
Annual Asset | Daily Income | ||
Daily Net Assets | Based Fee | Daily Net Assets | Fee |
Up to $500 million | 0.3150% | Up to $500 million | 3.1500% |
$500 million but less than $750 million | 0.2925% | $500 million but less than $1 billion | 2.9250% |
$750 million but less than $1.5 billion | 0.2700% | $1 billion but less than $1.5 billion | 2.7000% |
$1.5 billion but less than $2 billion | 0.2475% | $1.5 billion but less than $2 billion | 2.4750% |
$2 billion but less than $3 billion | 0.2250% | $2 billion but less than $3 billion | 2.2500% |
$3 billion and over | 0.2025% | $3 billion and over | 2.0250% |
Exhibit (h)(4)(b)
Schedule A | |||
As of June 1, 2011 | |||
Contractual | Effective | Termination | |
Trust, Series and Class | Expense Cap | Date | Date |
Eaton Vance Growth Trust | |||
Asian Small Companies Fund Class A |
2.04% | 4/28/2011 | 4/28/2013 |
Asian Small Companies Fund Class B |
2.74% | 4/28/2011 | 4/28/2013 |
Greater China Growth Fund Class A |
1.95% | 4/28/2011 | 4/28/2013 |
Greater China Growth Fund Class B |
2.65% | 4/28/2011 | 4/28/2013 |
Greater China Growth Fund Class C |
2.65% | 4/28/2011 | 4/28/2013 |
Greater China Growth Fund Class I |
1.65% | 4/28/2011 | 4/28/2013 |
Multi-Cap Growth Fund Class A |
1.28% | 11/8/2010 | 12/31/2011 |
Multi-Cap Growth Fund Class B |
2.03% | 11/8/2010 | 12/31/2011 |
Multi-Cap Growth Fund Class C |
2.03% | 11/8/2010 | 12/31/2011 |
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 |
Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund Class A |
1.20% | 2/1/2009 | 1/31/2012 |
Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund Class I |
0.95% | 2/1/2009 | 1/31/2012 |
Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund Class R |
1.45% | 7/31/2009 | 1/31/2012 |
Atlanta Capital SMID-Cap Fund Class C |
1.95% | 9/30/2009 | 1/31/2012 |
Atlanta Capital Focused Growth Fund Class A |
1.25% | 2/1/2009 | 1/31/2012 |
Atlanta Capital Focused Growth Fund Class C |
2.00% | 5/2/2011 | 1/31/2013 |
Atlanta Capital Focused Growth Fund Class I |
1.00% | 2/1/2009 | 1/31/2012 |
Focused Growth Opportunities Fund Class A |
1.25% | 3/7/2011 | 6/30/2012 |
Focused Growth Opportunities Fund Class C |
2.00% | 3/7/2011 | 6/30/2012 |
Focused Growth Opportunities Fund Class I |
1.00% | 3/7/2011 | 6/30/2012 |
Focused Value Opportunities Fund Class A |
1.25% | 3/7/2011 | 6/30/2012 |
Focused Value Opportunities Fund Class C |
2.00% | 3/7/2011 | 6/30/2012 |
Focused Value Opportunities Fund Class I |
1.00% | 3/7/2011 | 6/30/2012 |
Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II | |||
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Short Term Fund Class A |
0.90% | 2/3/2009 | 5/31/2012 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Short Term Fund Class C |
1.65% | 2/3/2009 | 5/31/2012 |
Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Short Term Fund Class I |
0.65% | 2/3/2009 | 5/31/2012 |
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 Multi-Market Local Income Fund Class A |
1.10% | 3/1/2008 | 2/28/2012 |
International Multi-Market Local Income Fund Class C |
1.80% | 3/1/2011 | 2/28/2012 |
International Multi-Market Local Income Fund Class I |
0.80% | 3/1/2011 | 2/28/2012 |
Contractual | Effective | Termination | |
Trust, Series and Class | Expense Cap | Date | Date |
Mutual Funds Trust (contd) | |||
Tax-Managed Mid-Cap Core Fund Class A |
1.40% | 5/2/2011 | 2/28/2013 |
Tax-Managed Mid-Cap Core Fund Class B |
2.15% | 5/2/2011 | 2/28/2013 |
Tax-Managed Mid-Cap Core Fund Class C |
2.15% | 5/2/2011 | 2/28/2013 |
Tax-Managed Mid-Cap Core Fund Class I |
1.15% | 5/2/2011 | 2/28/2013 |
Tax-Managed Small-Cap Value Fund Class A |
1.65% | 4/23/2007 | 2/28/2012 |
Tax-Managed Small-Cap Value Fund Class B |
2.40% | 4/23/2007 | 2/28/2012 |
Tax-Managed Small-Cap Value Fund Class C |
2.40% | 4/23/2007 | 2/28/2012 |
Tax-Managed Small-Cap Value Fund Class I |
1.40% | 9/30/2009 | 2/28/2012 |
Large-Cap Core Research Fund Class A |
1.25% | 6/17/2008 | 4/30/2012 |
Large-Cap Core Research Fund Class I |
1.00% | 6/17/2008 | 4/30/2012 |
Large-Cap Core Research Fund Class C |
2.00% | 9/30/2009 | 4/30/2012 |
Parametric Structured International Equity Fund Class A |
1.50% | 3/31/2010 | 5/31/2012 |
Parametric Structured International Equity Fund Class C |
2.25% | 3/31/2010 | 5/31/2012 |
Parametric Structured International Equity Fund Class I |
1.25% | 3/31/2010 | 5/31/2012 |
Parametric Structured Commodity Strategy Fund Class I |
0.75% | 5/25/2010 | 5/31/2012 |
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 C |
2.25% | 8/25/2010 | 2/28/2013 |
Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund Class I |
1.25% | 8/25/2010 | 2/28/2013 |
Global Macro Absolute Return Advantage Fund Class R |
1.75% | 12/1/2010 | 2/28/2013 |
Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust | |||
Enhanced Equity Option Income Fund Class A |
1.50% | 2/29/08 | 3/31/2012 |
Enhanced Equity Option Income Fund Class C |
2.25% | 2/29/08 | 3/31/2012 |
Enhanced Equity Option Income Fund Class I |
1.25% | 2/29/08 | 3/31/2012 |
Risk-Managed Equity Option Income Fund Class A |
1.50% | 2/29/08 | 3/31/2012 |
Risk-Managed Equity Option Income Fund Class C |
2.25% | 2/29/08 | 3/31/2012 |
Risk-Managed Equity Option Income Fund Class I |
1.25% | 2/29/08 | 3/31/2012 |
Investment Grade Income Fund Class I |
0.70% | 10/15/2007 | 4/30/2012 |
Investment Grade Income Fund Class A |
0.95% | 1/2/2009 | 4/30/2012 |
Real Estate Fund Class I |
1.15% | 5/1/2007 | 4/30/2012 |
Real Estate Fund Class A |
1.40% | 6/8/2010 | 4/30/2012 |
Equity Asset Allocation Fund Class A |
1.45% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2012 |
Equity Assets Allocation Fund Class C |
2.20% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2012 |
Equity Asset Allocation Fund Class I |
1.20% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2012 |
Large-Cap Growth Fund Class A |
1.25% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2012 |
Large-Cap Growth Fund Class B |
2.00% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2012 |
Large-Cap Growth Fund Class C |
2.00% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2012 |
Large-Cap Growth Fund Class I |
1.00% | 5/1/2008 | 4/30/2012 |
Large-Cap Growth Fund Class R |
1.50% | 7/31/2009 | 4/30/2012 |
Small-Cap Fund Class A |
1.50% | 8/29/2008 | 4/30/2012 |
Small-Cap Fund Class B |
2.25% | 8/29/2008 | 4/30/2012 |
Small-Cap Fund Class C |
2.25% | 8/29/2008 | 4/30/2012 |
Small-Cap Fund Class I |
1.25% | 8/29/2008 | 4/30/2012 |
Small-Cap Fund Class R |
1.75% | 7/31/2009 | 4/30/2012 |
Contractual | Effective | Termination | |
Trust, Series and Class | Expense Cap | Date | Date |
Special Investment Trust (contd) | |||
Small-Cap Value Fund Class A |
1.65% | 4/23/2007 | 4/30/2012 |
Small-Cap Value Fund Class B |
2.40% | 4/23/2007 | 4/30/2012 |
Small-Cap Value Fund Class C |
2.40% | 4/23/2007 | 4/30/2012 |
Small-Cap Value Fund Class I |
1.40% | 9/30/2009 | 4/30/2012 |
Commodity Strategy Fund Class A |
1.50% | 4/7/2010 | 4/30/2012 |
Commodity Strategy Fund Class C |
2.25% | 4/7/2010 | 4/30/2012 |
Commodity Strategy Fund Class I |
1.25% | 4/7/2010 | 4/30/2012 |
Option Absolute Return Strategy Fund Class A |
1.75% | 9/27/2010 | 4/30/2012 |
Option Absolute Return Strategy Fund Class C |
2.50% | 9/27/2010 | 4/30/2012 |
Option Absolute Return Strategy Fund Class I |
1.50% | 9/27/2010 | 4/30/2012 |
Greater India Fund Class A |
1.88% | 4/28/2011 | 4/28/2013 |
Greater India Fund Class B |
2.58% | 4/28/2011 | 4/28/2013 |
Greater India Fund Class C |
2.58% | 4/28/2011 | 4/28/2013 |
Greater India Fund Class I |
1.58% | 4/28/2011 | 4/28/2013 |
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 | 4/30/2012 |
EXHIBIT (i)(2) |
CONSENT OF COUNSEL |
I consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to the Registration Statement of Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II (1933 Act File No. 33-71320) of my opinion dated January 28, 2010, which was filed as Exhibit (i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 34.
/s/ Katy D. Burke
Katy D. Burke, Esq. |
May 26, 2011
Boston, Massachusetts |
Exhibit (j)
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 37 to Registration Statement No. 33-71320 on Form N-1A of our reports dated March 17, 2011, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of Eaton Vance High Yield Municipal Income Fund, Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Short Term Fund, Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Intermediate Term Fund, and Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Bond Strategies Long Term Fund, certain of the Funds constituting Eaton Vance Mutual Trust II, appearing in the Annual Report on Form N-CSR of Eaton Vance Mutual Trust II, for the year ended January 31, 2011, and to the references to us under the headings Financial Highlights in the Prospectuses and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Financial Statements in the Statements of Additional Information, which are part of such Registration Statement.
Boston, Massachusetts
May 26, 2011 |
EXHIBIT (q)(4) |
POWER OF ATTORNEY |
We, the undersigned officers and Trustees of the following Trusts, each a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust), do hereby severally constitute and appoint Thomas E. Faust Jr., Maureen A. Gemma, Barbara E. Campbell or Deidre E. Walsh, or any of them, to be true, sufficient and lawful attorneys, or attorney for each of us, to sign for each of us, in the name of each of us in the capacities indicated below, any Registration Statement and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to a Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on behalf of the Trust, in respect of shares of beneficial interest and other documents and papers relating thereto:
Eaton Vance Growth Trust (Growth Trust) | Eaton Vance Series Trust (Series Trust) |
Eaton Vance Investment Trust (Investment Trust) | Eaton Vance Series Trust II (Series Trust II) |
Eaton Vance Municipals Trust (Municipals Trust) | Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (Special Investment Trust) |
Eaton Vance Municipals Trust II (Municipals Trust II) | Eaton Vance Variable Trust (Variable Trust) |
Eaton Vance Mutual Funds Trust (Mutual Funds Trust) |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF we have hereunto set our hands on the date set forth opposite our respective signatures.
Signature | Title | Date |
/s/ Duncan W. Richardson | President and Principal Executive | February 7, 2011 |
Duncan W. Richardson | Officer of Growth Trust, Mutual | |
Funds Trust, Series Trust, Series | ||
Trust II, Special Investment Trust | ||
and Variable Trust. | ||
/s/ Cynthia J. Clemson | President and Principal Executive | February 7, 2011 |
Cynthia J. Clemson | Officer of Investment Trust and | |
Municipals Trust II | ||
/s/ Thomas M. Metzold | President and Principal Executive | February 7, 2011 |
Thomas M. Metzold | Officer of Municipals Trust | |
/s/ Michael W. Weilheimer | President and Principal Executive | February 7, 2011 |
Michael W. Weilheimer | Officer of Series Trust II | |
/s/ Barbara E. Campbell | Treasurer and Principal Financial | February 7, 2011 |
Barbara E. Campbell | and Accounting Officer | |
/s/ Benjamin C. Esty | Trustee | February 7, 2011 |
Benjamin C. Esty | ||
/s/ Thomas E. Faust Jr. | Trustee | February 7, 2011 |
Thomas E. Faust Jr. | ||
/s/ Allen R. Freedman | Trustee | February 7, 2011 |
Allen R. Freedman |
Signature | Title | Date | |
/s/ William H. Park | Trustee | February 7, 2011 | |
William H. Park | |||
/s/ Ronald A. Pearlman | Trustee | February 7, 2011 | |
Ronald A. Pearlman | |||
/s/ Helen Frame Peters | Trustee | February 7, 2011 | |
Helen Frame Peters | |||
/s/ Lynn A. Stout | Trustee | February 7, 2011 | |
Lynn A. Stout | |||
/s/ Ralph F. Verni | Trustee | February 7, 2011 | |
Ralph F. Verni |