AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 27, 2006
REGISTRATION NOS. 002-16590
811-945
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |X|
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. [ ]
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 84 |X|
AND/OR
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 |X|
AMENDMENT NO. 85 |X|
(CHECK APPROPRIATE BOX OR BOXES.)
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PHOENIX EQUITY TRUST
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN DECLARATION OF TRUST)
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101 MUNSON STREET, GREENFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS 01301
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
c/o PHOENIX EQUITY PLANNING
CORPORATION -- SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
(800) 243-1574
(REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
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COUNSEL AND CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER:
KEVIN J. CARR, ESQ.
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VICE PRESIDENT AND COUNSEL
PHOENIX LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
ONE AMERICAN ROW
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06102-5056
JOHN H. BEERS, ESQ.
VICE PRESIDENT AND CLERK
PHOENIX LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
ONE AMERICAN ROW
HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT 06102-5056
(NAME AND ADDRESS OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
|X| on October 31, 2006 pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
[ ] on pursuant to paragraph (a)(i)
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii)
[ ] on pursuant to paragraph (a)(ii) of Rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
[ ] this post-effective amendment designates a new effective date
for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
> PHOENIX MID-CAP VALUE FUND
> PHOENIX PATHFINDER FUND
> PHOENIX TOTAL VALUE FUND
> PHOENIX WORLDWIDE STRATEGIES FUND
TRUST NAME: PHOENIX EQUITY TRUST
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission WOULDN'T YOU RATHER
nor any state securities commission has approved HAVE THIS DOCUMENT
or disapproved of these securities or determined E-MAILED TO YOU?
if this prospectus is truthful or complete.
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This prospectus contains important information PhoenixFunds.com
that you should know before investing in
Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund, Phoenix
Pathfinder Fund, Phoenix Total Value
Fund and Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund.
[LOGO} PHOENIXFUNDS(SM)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund
Investment Risk and Return Summary................................. 1
Fund Fees and Expenses............................................. 4
Management of the Fund............................................. 5
Phoenix Pathfinder Fund
Investment Risk and Return Summary................................. 7
Fund Fees and Expenses............................................. 9
Management of the Fund............................................. 10
Phoenix Total Value Fund
Investment Risk and Return Summary................................. 14
Fund Fees and Expenses............................................. 17
Management of the Fund............................................. 18
Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund
Investment Risk and Return Summary................................. 25
Fund Fees and Expenses............................................. 30
Management of the Fund............................................. 31
Additional Investment Techniques........................................ 34
Pricing of Fund Shares.................................................. 36
Sales Charges........................................................... 38
Your Account............................................................ 44
How to Buy Shares....................................................... 46
How to Sell Shares...................................................... 46
Things You Should Know When Selling Shares.............................. 47
Account Policies........................................................ 49
Investor Services and Other Information................................. 52
Tax Status of Distributions............................................. 53
Financial Highlights.................................................... 55
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INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund has an investment objective of long-term growth of capital. There is no guarantee that the fund will achieve its objective. The fund's investment objective may be changed without shareholder approval.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
> Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 80% of its assets
in securities of mid-capitalization companies that, at the time of
initial purchase, have market capitalizations within the range of
companies included in the Russell Midcap(R) Index. Because
mid-capitalization companies are defined by reference to an index, the
market capitalization of companies in which the fund invests may vary
with market conditions. As of September 30, 2006, the market
capitalization range of companies included in the Russell Midcap(R)
Index was $1.2 billion to $17.1 billion. As of September 30, 2006, the
market capitalization range of the issuers in which the fund was
invested ranged from $1.2 billion to $37.8 billion. The fund's policy
of investing at least 80% of its assets in mid-capitalization companies
may be changed only upon 60 days written notice to shareholders.
> The adviser manages the fund's investment program and the general
operations of the fund, including oversight of the subadviser. The
subadviser manages the investments of the fund. The subadviser utilizes
a "bottom-up" investment approach. The subadviser looks for companies
that are both selling at a substantial discount to their private market
value and that have restructuring and turnaround potential. The
subadviser also looks for companies where there is potential for
significant increase in earnings over a three-year period and for
significant price appreciation over a three-year period.
> The subadviser employs a sell discipline pursuant to which it will sell
a position when the price of the stock reaches the subadviser's target
price, when it has diminished confidence that management can execute
the turnaround strategy, or when key management departs.
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Temporary defensive strategy: If the adviser or subadviser believes that market conditions are not favorable to the fund's principal strategies, the fund may take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its principal investment strategies by investing, without limit, in U.S. Government securities and in money market instruments. When this allocation happens, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Please see "Additional Investment Techniques" for other investment techniques of the fund.
Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund 1
RISKS RELATED TO PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
If you invest in this fund, you risk losing your investment.
GENERAL
The value of the fund's investments that supports your share value may decrease. If between the time you purchase shares and the time you sell shares the value of the fund's investments decreases, you will lose money.
Investment values can decrease for a number of reasons. Conditions affecting the overall economy, specific industries or companies in which the fund invests can be worse than expected and investments may fail to perform as the subadviser expects. As a result, the value of your shares may decrease.
EQUITY SECURITIES RISK
Generally, prices of equity securities are more volatile than those of fixed income securities. The prices of equity securities will rise and fall in response to a number of different factors. In particular, equity securities will respond to events that affect entire financial markets or industries (such as changes in inflation or consumer demand) and to events that affect particular issuers (such as news about the success or failure of a new product).
o MEDIUM MARKET CAPITALIZATION COMPANIES. Companies with medium market capitalizations are often companies with a limited operating history or companies in industries that have recently emerged due to cultural, economic, regulatory or technological developments. Such developments can have a significant impact or negative effect on medium market capitalization companies and their stock performance and can make investment returns highly volatile. Product lines are often less diversified and subject to competitive threats. Medium market capitalization stocks are subject to varying patterns of trading volume and may, at times, be difficult to sell.
o VALUE STOCKS. Value stocks involve the risk that the value of the security will not be recognized for an unexpectedly long period of time and that the security is not undervalued but is appropriately priced due to fundamental problems not yet apparent. Value-oriented funds typically underperform when growth investing is in favor.
2 Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund
PERFORMANCE TABLES
The Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund ("Successor Fund") is the successor of the FMI Sasco Contrarian Value Fund (the "Predecessor Fund"), resulting from a reorganization of the Predecessor Fund with and into the Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund on October 22, 2004. The Predecessor Fund, which commenced operations on December 30, 1997, offered only one class of shares. The Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund treats the past performance of the Predecessor Fund as its own. Therefore the performance tables below include the performance of the shares of the Predecessor Fund prior to the Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund's commencement date.
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the fund's performance from year to year over the life of the fund.(1) The table shows how the fund's average annual returns compare with those of a broad-based securities market index and a more narrowly-based benchmark that reflects the market sectors in which the fund invests. The fund's past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
CALENDAR YEAR ANNUAL RETURN (%)
1998 -9.07%
1999 -0.68%
2000 31.64%
2001 11.84%
2002 -9.89%
2003 37.56%
2004 24.74%
2005 3.96%
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(1) Annual returns in the chart above do not reflect the deduction of any sales charges. The returns would have been less than those shown if sales charges were deducted. During the period shown in the chart above, the highest return for a quarter was 22.09% (quarter ending December 31, 2003) and the lowest return for a quarter was -19.91% (quarter ending September 30, 2002). Year-to-date performance (through September 30, 2006) is 14.58%. For the 1998 through 2000 calendar years, Resource Capital Advisers, Inc. was the investment adviser to the Predecessor Fund. On October 15, 2001, Fiduciary Management, Inc. became the investment adviser to the Predecessor Fund. Since its inception on October 22, 2004, Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. has been the investment adviser to the Successor Fund. Since the Predecessor Fund's inception, the subadviser to the fund has been Sasco Capital Inc. ("Sasco") and since inception, Sasco has been the subadviser to the Successor Fund.
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AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS SINCE INCEPTION(3)
(FOR THE PERIODS ENDED 12/31/05)(2) ------------------------
1 YEAR 5 YEARS CLASS A CLASS C
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Class A
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Return Before Taxes -2.01% 11.12% 9.18% --
------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Return After Taxes on Distributions(4) -2.06% 11.09% 8.84% --
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and -1.24% 9.71% 7.85% --
Sale of Fund Shares(4)(5)
------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Class C
------------------------------------------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Return Before Taxes 3.18% -- -- 10.29%
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Russell Midcap(R) Index(6) 12.65% 8.45% 9.91% 23.56%
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Russell Midcap(R) Value Index(7) 12.65% 12.21% 10.60% 23.72%
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(2) The Predecessor Fund's average annual returns have been restated to reflect the deduction of the maximum sales charge for an investment in Class A Shares and a full redemption in Class C Shares.
(3) Class A Shares restated to reflect performance since inception of the Predecessor Fund on December 30, 1997; Class C Shares since October 22, 2004.
Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund 3
(4) The after-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. The after-tax returns shown in the table above are for only one class of shares offered by the prospectus (Class A, formerly the sole class of the Predecessor Fund); after-tax returns for the classes will vary. Actual after-tax returns depend on the investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through tax deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
(5) If the fund incurs a loss, which generates a tax benefit, the Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares may exceed the fund's other return figures.
(6) The Russell Midcap(R) Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of medium-capitalization stocks of U.S. companies. The index is calculated on a total-return basis with dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged and not available for direct investment; therefore, its performance does not reflect the fees, expenses or taxes associated with the active management of an actual portfolio.
(7) The Russell Midcap(R) Value Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of medium-capitalization, value-oriented stocks of U.S. companies. The index is calculated on a total-return basis with dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged and not available for direct investment; therefore, its performance does not reflect the fees, expenses or taxes associated with the active management of an actual portfolio.
This table illustrates all fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
CLASS A CLASS C
SHARES SHARES
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SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT)
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of 5.75% None
offering price)
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the lesser None(a) 1.00%(b)
of the value redeemed or the amount invested)
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends None None
Redemption Fee None None
Exchange Fee None None
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CLASS A CLASS C
SHARES SHARES
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ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES THAT ARE DEDUCTED
FROM FUND ASSETS)
Management Fees 0.75% 0.75%
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees(c) 0.25% 1.00%
Other Expenses 0.42% 0.42%
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TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES 1.42% 2.17%
Expense Reduction(d) (0.17)% (0.17)%
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NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES 1.25% 2.00%
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(a) A contingent deferred sales charge of 1% may apply on certain redemptions made within one year following purchases on which a finder's fee has been paid. The one-year period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made.
(b) The deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C shares redeemed during the first year only.
(c) Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Fees represent an asset-based sales charge that, for a long-term shareholder, over time may be higher than the maximum front-end sales charge permitted by the NASD.
(d) Contractual arrangement with the fund's investment adviser to limit the fund's total operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses), through October 31, 2007 so that such expenses do not exceed 1.25% for Class A Shares and 2.00% for Class C Shares. The adviser will not seek to recapture any operating expenses reimbursed under this arrangement.
4 Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund
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 fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $695 $ 983 $1,291 $2,165 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C $303 $ 663 $1,149 $2,490 |
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
Class C $203 $ 663 $1,149 $2,490
The examples assume that the expense reimbursement obligations of the adviser are in effect through October 31, 2007. Thereafter, the examples do not reflect any expense reimbursement obligations.
THE ADVISER AND SUBADVISER
Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. ("Phoenix") is the investment adviser to the fund and is located at 56 Prospect Street, Hartford, CT 06115. Phoenix acts as the investment adviser for over 60 mutual funds and as adviser to institutional clients. As of June 30, 2006, Phoenix had approximately $29.4 billion in assets under management. Phoenix has acted as an investment adviser for over 70 years.
Sasco Capital, Inc. ("Sasco") is the subadviser to the fund and is located at 10 Sasco Hill Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. Sasco has been an investment adviser since 1985 and as of June 30, 2006, Sasco had approximately $3.4 billion in assets under management.
Subject to the direction of the fund's Board of Trustees, Phoenix is responsible for managing the fund's investment program and for the general operations of the fund, including oversight of the fund's subadviser. Sasco, as subadviser, is responsible for the day-to-day management of
Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund 5
the fund's portfolio. Phoenix and Sasco manage the fund's assets to conform with the investment policies as described in this prospectus.
The fund pays Phoenix a monthly investment management fee that is accrued daily against the value of the fund's net assets at the annual rate of 0.75%.
Phoenix has contractually agreed to limit the fund's total operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses), through October 31, 2007 so that such expenses do not exceed 1.25% for Class A Shares and 2.00% for Class C Shares. The adviser will not seek to recapture any operating expenses reimbursed under this arrangement.
During the last fiscal year, the fund paid total management fees of $1,723,498. The ratio of management fees to average net assets for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 was 0.75%.
Phoenix pays Sasco a subadvisory fee which is calculated at the annual rate of 47.5% of the gross investment management fee.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees approving the advisory and subadvisory agreements is available in the fund's semiannual report covering the period July 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
BRUCE BOTTOMLEY, MARK HELDERMAN and DANIEL LEARY are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund's portfolio.
Since its inception on October 22, 2004, Mr. Bottomley has served as a portfolio manager of the fund and previously served as portfolio manager of the Predecessor Fund since its inception in 1997. He is Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of Sasco. Mr. Bottomley has 33 years of investment experience and was a founding partner of Sasco in 1986.
Since its inception on October 22, 2004, Mr. Helderman has served as a portfolio manager of the fund and previously served as portfolio manager of the Predecessor Fund since 2004. He is Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of Sasco. Mr. Helderman has 19 years of investment experience and joined Sasco in 1997.
Since its inception on October 22, 2004, Mr. Leary has served as a portfolio manager of the fund and previously served as portfolio manager of the Predecessor Fund since its inception in 1997. He is Managing Director and Portfolio Manager of Sasco. Mr. Leary has 34 years of investment experience and was a founding partner of Sasco in 1986.
Please refer to the Statement of Additional Information for additional information about the fund's portfolio managers, including the structure of and method of computing compensation, other accounts they manage and their ownership of shares of the fund.
6 Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Phoenix Pathfinder Fund has an investment objective of long-term capital appreciation. There is no guarantee that the fund will achieve its objective. The fund's investment objective may be changed without shareholder approval.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
> Under normal circumstances, the fund invests principally in the equity
securities of domestic companies that the subadviser believes to have
appreciation potential. The fund invests principally in larger
capitalization stocks; however, the fund may invest in issuers of any
capitalization. The subadviser considers larger capitalization stocks
to be those of issuers with market capitalizations of over $2 billion
at the time of initial purchase.
> The adviser manages the fund's investment program and the general
operations of the fund, including oversight of the fund's subadviser.
The subadviser manages the investments of the fund. The subadviser
employs a value approach to constructing the fund's portfolio,
utilizing quantitative screening to identify attractively valued
securities. All stocks in the equity universe are evaluated across
multiple quantitative factors, such as valuation, earnings and quality.
> Research is focused on identifying the factors most closely associated
with outperforming stocks. Factors must have statistical significance,
but also must meet the "common sense" test of having a logical
connection to the attributes of a successful company.
> A portfolio optimization program is used to balance the expected return
of the stocks with such considerations as the portfolio's benchmark,
desired level of risk and transaction cost estimates.
> A stock is sold if its expected return deteriorates to the point where
it can be replaced by a more attractive stock that plays an equally
useful diversification role and the expected return of the new stock
covers the transaction costs of the sell and purchase.
> The fund's investment strategies may lead to a high portfolio turnover
rate. A high portfolio turnover rate increases brokerage and other
transaction costs to the fund, negatively affects fund performance, and
may increase capital gain distributions, resulting in greater tax
liability to you.
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Temporary Defensive Strategy: If the adviser believes that market conditions are not favorable to the fund's principal strategies, the fund may take temporary defensive positions that are
Phoenix Pathfinder Fund 7
inconsistent with its principal investment strategies by holding cash or investing, without limit, in cash equivalents such as U.S. Government securities and high grade commercial paper. When this allocation happens, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Please see "Additional Investment Techniques" for other investment techniques of the fund.
RISKS RELATED TO PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
If you invest in this fund, you risk losing your investment.
GENERAL
The value of the fund's investments that supports your share value may decrease. If between the time you purchase shares and the time you sell shares the value of the fund's investments decreases, you will lose money.
Investment values can decrease for a number of reasons. Conditions affecting the overall economy, specific industries or companies in which the fund invests can be worse than expected and investments may fail to perform as the subadviser expects. As a result, the value of your shares may decrease.
EQUITY SECURITIES RISK
Generally, prices of equity securities are more volatile than those of fixed income securities. The prices of equity securities will rise and fall in response to a number of different factors. In particular, equity securities will respond to events that affect entire financial markets or industries (such as changes in inflation or consumer demand) and to events that affect particular issuers (such as news about the success or failure of a new product).
o LARGE MARKET CAPITALIZATION COMPANIES. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. Larger companies tend to be less volatile than companies with smaller market capitalizations. In exchange for this potentially lower risk, the fund's value may not rise as much as the value of funds that emphasize companies with smaller market capitalizations.
o VALUE STOCKS. Value stocks involve the risk that the value of the security will not be recognized for an unexpectedly long period of time and that the security is not undervalued but is appropriately priced due to fundamental problems not yet apparent. Value-oriented funds typically underperform when growth investing is in favor.
PERFORMANCE TABLES
The fund has been in existence only since July 29, 2005; therefore, performance information is not included since the fund has not had a full calendar year of investment returns.
8 Phoenix Pathfinder Fund
This table illustrates all fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
CLASS A CLASS C
SHARES SHARES
------ ------
SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT)
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a
percentage of offering price) 5.75% None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the
lesser of the value redeemed or the amount invested) None(a) 1.00%(b)
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends None None
Redemption Fee None None
Exchange Fee None None
-------------------------------------
CLASS A CLASS C
SHARES SHARES
------ ------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES THAT ARE DEDUCTED FROM
FUND ASSETS)
Management Fees 0.80% 0.80%
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees(c) 0.25% 1.00%
Other Expenses 6.40% 6.40%
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TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES 7.45% 8.20%
Expense Reduction(d) (6.05)% (6.05)%
------ ------
NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES 1.40% 2.15%
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(a) A contingent deferred sales charge of 1% may apply on certain redemptions made within one year following purchases on which a finder's fee has been paid. The one-year period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made.
(b) The deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed during the first year only.
(c) Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Fees represent an asset-based sales charge that, for a long-term shareholder, over time may be higher than the maximum front-end sales charge permitted by the NASD.
(d) Contractual arrangement with the fund's investment adviser to limit the fund's total operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses), through October 31, 2007, so that such expenses do not exceed 1.40% for Class A Shares and 2.15% for Class C Shares. The adviser will not seek to recapture any operating expenses reimbursed under this arrangement.
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 fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Phoenix Pathfinder Fund 9
CLASS 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $709 $1,878 $3,023 $5,781 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C $318 $1,592 $2,916 $6,025 |
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
The examples assume that the expense reimbursement obligations of the adviser are in effect through October 31, 2007. Thereafter, the examples do not reflect any expense reimbursement obligations.
THE ADVISER AND SUBADVISER
Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. ("Phoenix") is the investment adviser to the fund and is located at 56 Prospect Street, Hartford, CT 06115. Phoenix acts as the investment adviser for over 60 mutual funds and as adviser to institutional clients. As of June 30, 2006, Phoenix had approximately $29.4 billion in assets under management. Phoenix has acted as an investment adviser for over 70 years.
Acadian Asset Management, Inc. ("Acadian") is the subadviser to the fund and is located at One Post Office Square, 20th Floor, Boston, MA 02109. Acadian is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Old Mutual Asset Managers (US) LLC, which is wholly-owned by Old Mutual (US) Holdings, Inc. Old Mutual (US) Holdings, Inc. is wholly-owned by OM Group (UK) Limited. OM Group (UK) Limited is wholly-owned by Old Mutual PLC. Acadian acts as adviser to institutions and individuals. As of June 30, 2006, Acadian had approximately $44.5 billion in assets under management. Acadian has been an investment adviser since 1977.
Subject to the direction of the fund's Board of Trustees, Phoenix is responsible for managing the fund's investment program and for the general operations of the fund, including oversight of the fund's subadviser and recommending its hiring, termination and replacement. Acadian, as subadviser, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund's portfolio. Phoenix and Acadian manage the fund's assets to conform with the investment policies as described in this prospectus.
The fund pays Phoenix a monthly investment management fee that is accrued daily against the value of the fund's net assets at the rate of 0.80%.
10 Phoenix Pathfinder Fund
During the last fiscal year, the fund paid total management fees of $19,190. The ratio of management fees to average net assets for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 was 0.80%.
Phoenix has contractually agreed to limit total operating expenses of the fund (excluding interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses) through October 31, 2007, so that such expenses do not exceed the following percentages of the average annual net asset values of the fund:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A CLASS C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pathfinder Fund 1.40% 2.15%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Phoenix pays Acadian a subadvisory fee which is calculated at a rate equal to 50% of the gross investment management fee.
The fund and Phoenix have received an exemptive order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission that permits Phoenix, subject to certain conditions, and
without the approval of shareholders to: (a) employ a new unaffiliated
investment adviser for a fund pursuant to the terms of a new subadvisory
agreement, in each case either as a replacement for an existing subadviser or an
additional subadviser; (b) change the terms of any subadvisory agreement; and
(c) continue the employment of an existing subadviser on the same subadvisory
contract terms where a contract has been assigned because of a change in control
of the subadviser. In such circumstances, shareholders would receive notice of
such action, including the information concerning the new subadviser that
normally is provided in a proxy statement.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees approving the advisory and subadvisory agreements is available in the fund's semiannual report covering the period July 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
A team of investment professionals manages the fund's portfolio and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the fund's portfolio.
BRENDAN O. BRADLEY. Mr. Bradley has served on the fund's portfolio management team since its inception in 2005. He is a Senior Vice President and a senior member of the investment research team. Prior to joining Acadian in 2004, Mr. Bradley was a Vice President at Upstream Technologies (2002-2004), where he designed and implemented quantitative investment management systems and strategies. His professional background also includes work as a research analyst and consultant at Samuelson Portfolio Strategies (1999-2002).
JOHN R. CHISHOLM, CFA. Mr. Chisholm has served on the fund's portfolio management team since its inception in 2005. He is Co-Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President of Acadian. Mr. Chisholm has been affiliated with Acadian since 1984, first in a consulting capacity (1984-1987), as a quantitative research analyst (1987-1989), and as a portfolio manager (since 1989). He became Co-Chief Investment Officer in 1997.
MATTHEW J. COHEN, CFA. Mr. Cohen has served on the fund's portfolio management team since its inception in 2005. He is a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Acadian.
Phoenix Pathfinder Fund 11
Mr. Cohen specializes in quantitative equity valuation techniques and manages the processes and data that drive Acadian's investment approach. Prior to joining Acadian in 1994, he worked as a senior systems analyst and project manager for Digital Equipment Corporation.
RAYMOND F. MUI. Mr. Mui has served on the fund's portfolio management team since its inception in 2005. He is a Senior Vice President specializing in multi-factor equity valuation frameworks and the development of investment strategies for both the developed and emerging equity markets. Prior to joining Acadian in 1991, Mr. Mui was a member of the senior technical staff at Hughes Aircraft, where he developed prototypes of command, communications and information systems.
BRIAN K. WOLAHAN, CFA. Mr. Wolahan has served on the fund's portfolio management team since its inception in 2005. He is Co-Director of Research and a Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for developing and applying quantitative techniques to evaluate markets and securities. Before joining Acadian in 1990, Mr. Wolahan worked in the Systems Planning Group at Bank of New England, and as a Senior Systems Analyst at Mars Incorporated with responsibilities for Corporate Systems.
Please refer to the Statement of Additional Information for additional information about the fund's portfolio managers, including the structure of and method of computing compensation, other accounts they manage and their ownership of shares of the fund.
12 Phoenix Pathfinder Fund
PRIOR PERFORMANCE OF ACADIAN
The performance information shown below represents a composite of the prior performance of all discretionary accounts managed by Acadian with substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies as the Pathfinder Fund. Performance results are net of account fees and expenses, and assume all dividends and distributions have been reinvested. The discretionary accounts are not registered mutual funds and were not subject to certain investment limitations and other restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Internal Revenue Code, which, if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance of the composite. Acadian's performance results would have been lower had fund expenses been used. The composite performance does not represent the historical performance of the fund and should not be interpreted as indicative of the future performance of the fund.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
CALENDAR YEAR ANNUAL RETURN (%)
1999 8.48%
2000 2.34%
2001 -4.97%
2002 -18.51%
2003 34.77%
2004 17.39%
2005 9.20%
|
Year-to-date performance (through September 30, 2006) is 12.30%.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS SINCE (FOR THE PERIODS ENDED 12/31/05) 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS INCEPTION(1) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Value Equity Composite 9.20% 19.99% 6.00% 6.54% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P 500(R) Index(2) 4.93% 14.40% 0.55% 1.15% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Russell 1000(R) Value Index(3) 7.05% 17.49% 5.28% 6.23% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MSCI USA Index(4) 5.14% 14.14% 0.04% 0.25% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
(1) Since October 1, 1999.
(2) The S&P 500(R) Index is a free-float adjusted market capitalization-weighted index of 500 of the largest U.S. companies. The index is calculated on a total-return basis with dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged and not available for direct investment; therefore, its performance does not reflect the fees, expenses or taxes associated with the active management of an actual portfolio.
(3) The Russell 1000(R) Value Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of
value-oriented stocks of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell Universe,
which comprises the 3,000 largest U.S. companies. The index is calculated on a
total-return basis with dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged and not
available for direct investment; therefore, its performance does not reflect the
fees, expenses or taxes associated with the active management of an actual
portfolio.
(4) The MSCI USA Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that
measures equity market performance within the United States. The index is
calculated on a total-return basis with gross dividends reinvested. The index is
unmanaged and not available for direct investment; therefore, its performance
does not reflect the fees, expenses or taxes associated with the active
management of an actual portfolio.
The net annual returns for the U.S. Value Equity Composite were calculated on an asset-weighted total-return basis, including a 0.50% annual management fee charged on a quarterly basis (which represents the highest advisory fee), commissions on securities transactions, margin interest paid, and dividend and interest earned. This method differs from the method used by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Phoenix Pathfinder Fund 13
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
The Phoenix Total Value Fund has an investment objective of long-term capital appreciation. There is no guarantee that the fund will achieve its objective. The fund's investment objective may be changed without shareholder approval.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
> Under normal circumstances, the fund invests principally in equity
securities of domestic companies through the use of three different
styles of value equity management. The fund invests principally in
larger capitalization stocks; however, the fund may invest in issuers
of any capitalization. The subadvisers consider larger capitalization
stocks to be those issuers that have market capitalizations of over
$1.75 billion at the time of initial purchase. The adviser will make
the determination as to the allocation of the assets among the fund's
three subadvisers: Acadian Asset Management, Inc. ("Acadian"), Golden
Capital Management, LLC ("Golden") and Harris Investment Management,
Inc. ("Harris").
> The adviser manages the fund's investment program and the general
operations of the fund, including oversight of each of the fund's
subadvisers. Each subadviser manages a portion of the investments of
the fund based on its respective value equity management style.
o Acadian utilizes quantitative screening techniques to identify
attractively valued securities, such as valuation, earnings and
quality. All stocks in the equity universe are evaluated across
multiple quantitative factors. Research is focused on identifying
the factors most closely associated with outperforming stocks.
Factors must have statistical significance, but also must meet the
"common sense" test of having a logical connection to the attributes
of a successful company. A portfolio optimization program is used to
balance the expected return of the stocks with such considerations
as the portfolio's benchmark, desired level of risk and transaction
cost estimates. A stock is sold if its expected return deteriorates
to the point where it can be replaced by a more attractive stock
that plays an equally useful diversification role or the expected
return of the new stock covers the transaction costs of the sell and
purchase.
o Golden seeks to construct an actively managed portfolio by selecting
fundamentally sound, undervalued companies that are likely to meet
or exceed earnings expectations. Securities are selected using a
quantitative approach. Golden utilizes a proprietary multi-factor
model that quantitatively combines earnings and valuation
fundamentals to identify the catalyst within each company that makes
it more attractive. Generally, the subadviser avoids investment in
so-called "sin stocks," such
|
14 Phoenix Total Value Fund
as alcohol, tobacco and gaming stocks. Stocks are generally sold when companies experience declining fundamentals or if a stock is considered overvalued.
o Harris selects stocks that it believes exhibit improving fundamentals, such as attractive valuations and increasing investor interest, and which consistently and predictably outperform the market. Its investment philosophy is founded on the principal that a quantitative, disciplined process in conjunction with experienced human insight will provide superior investments results over time. The process of analyzing and ranking stocks to identify buy candidates is driven totally by a multi-factor quantitative model. Fundamental input is used as a final screen, while quantitative analytics is the driver of the process. Generally a stock is sold when its ranking under the subadviser's securities selection process falls to the bottom 50% to 60% of its investment universe.
Temporary Defensive Strategy: If the adviser believes that market conditions are not favorable to the fund's principal strategies, the fund may take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its principal investment strategies by holding cash or investing, without limit, in cash equivalents such as U.S. Government securities and high grade commercial paper. When this allocation happens, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Please see "Additional Investment Techniques" for other investment techniques of the fund.
RISKS RELATED TO PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
If you invest in this fund, you risk losing your investment.
GENERAL
The value of the fund's investments that supports your share value may decrease. If between the time you purchase shares and the time you sell shares the value of the fund's investments decreases, you will lose money.
Investment values can decrease for a number of reasons. Conditions affecting the overall economy, specific industries or companies in which the fund invests can be worse than expected and investments may fail to perform as the subadvisers expect. As a result, the value of your shares may decrease.
EQUITY SECURITIES RISK
Generally, prices of equity securities are more volatile than those of fixed income securities. The prices of equity securities will rise and fall in response to a number of different factors. In particular, equity securities will respond to events that affect entire financial markets or industries (such as changes in inflation or consumer demand) and to events that affect particular issuers (such as news about the success or failure of a new product).
o LARGE MARKET CAPITALIZATION COMPANIES. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. Larger companies tend to be less volatile than companies with smaller market capitalizations. In exchange for this potentially
Phoenix Total Value Fund 15
lower risk, the fund's value may not rise as much as the value of funds that emphasize companies with smaller market capitalizations.
o VALUE STOCKS. Value stocks involve the risk that the value of the security will not be recognized for an unexpectedly long period of time and that the security is not undervalued but is appropriately priced due to fundamental problems not yet apparent. Value-oriented funds typically underperform when growth investing is in favor.
MULTIPLE SUBADVISER RISK
The fund employs multiple subadvisers. Each subadviser independently chooses and maintains a portfolio of securities for the fund and each is responsible for investing a specific allocated portion of the fund's assets. Because each subadviser manages its allocated portion of the fund independently from the other subadviser(s), the same security may be held in different portions of the fund, or may be acquired for one portion of the fund at a time when a subadviser to another portion deems it appropriate to dispose of the security from that other portion. Because each subadviser directs the trading for its own portion of the fund, and does not aggregate its transactions with those of the other subadvisers, the fund may incur higher brokerage costs than would be the case if a single subadviser were managing the entire fund.
PERFORMANCE TABLES
The fund has been in existence only since July 29, 2005; therefore, performance information is not included since the fund has not had a full calendar year of investment returns.
16 Phoenix Total Value Fund
This table illustrates all fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
CLASS A CLASS C
SHARES SHARES
------ ------
SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT)
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage
of offering price) 5.75% None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a percentage of the
lesser of the value redeemed or the amount invested) None(a) 1.00%(b)
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends None None
Redemption Fee None None
Exchange Fee None None
------------------------------------------
CLASS A CLASS C
SHARES SHARES
------ ------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES THAT ARE DEDUCTED FROM
FUND ASSETS)
Management Fees 0.80% 0.80%
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Fees(c) 0.25% 1.00%
Other Expenses 0.82% 0.82%
----- -----
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES 1.87% 2.62%
Expense Reduction(d) (0.47)% (0.47)%
------ ------
NET ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES 1.40% 2.15%
===== =====
----------------------
|
(a) A contingent deferred sales charge of 1% may apply on certain redemptions made within one year following purchases on which a finder's fee has been paid. The one-year period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made.
(b) The deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed during the first year only.
(c) Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Fees represent an asset-based sales charge that, for a long-term shareholder, over time may be higher than the maximum front-end sales charge permitted by the NASD.
(d) Contractual arrangement with the fund's investment adviser to limit the fund's total operating expenses (excluding interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses), through October 31, 2007, so that such expenses do not exceed 1.40% for Class A Shares and 2.15% for Class C Shares. The adviser will not seek to recapture any operating expenses reimbursed under this arrangement.
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 fund's operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Phoenix Total Value Fund 17
CLASS 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $709 $1,086 $1,487 $2,603 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C $318 $ 770 $1,348 $2,919 |
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
The examples assume that the expense reimbursement obligations of the adviser are in effect through October 31, 2007. Thereafter, the examples do not reflect any expense reimbursement obligations.
THE ADVISER AND SUBADVISERS
Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. ("Phoenix") is the investment adviser to the fund and is located at 56 Prospect Street, Hartford, CT 06115. Phoenix acts as the investment adviser for over 60 mutual funds and as adviser to institutional clients. As of June 30, 2006, Phoenix had approximately $29.4 billion in assets under management. Phoenix has acted as an investment adviser for over 70 years.
Acadian is a subadviser to the fund and is located at One Post Office Square, 20th Floor, Boston, MA 02109. Acadian is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Old Mutual Asset Managers (US) LLC, which is wholly-owned by Old Mutual (US) Holdings, Inc. Old Mutual (US) Holdings, Inc. is wholly-owned by OM Group (UK) Limited. OM Group (UK) Limited is wholly-owned by Old Mutual PLC. Acadian acts as adviser to institutions and individuals. As of June 30, 2006, Acadian had approximately $44.5 billion in assets under management. Acadian has been an investment adviser since 1977.
Golden is a subadviser to the fund and is located at Five Resource Square, 10715 David Taylor Drive, Suite 150, Charlotte, NC 28262. Golden is majority-owned by its principals and employees and is a minority-owned subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation. Golden acts as adviser to institutions and individuals. As of June 30, 2006, Golden had approximately $3.3 billion in assets under management. Golden has been an investment adviser since 1999.
Harris is a subadviser to the fund and is located at 190 South LaSalle Street, 4th Floor, P.O. Box 755, Chicago, IL 60690. Harris is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harris Bankcorp, Inc., which is wholly-owned by Harris Financial Corp. Harris Financial Corp. is wholly-owned by Bank of Montreal, a publicly traded Canadian banking institution. Harris acts as adviser to
18 Phoenix Total Value Fund
institutions and individuals. As of June 30, 2006, Harris had approximately $17.7 billion in assets under management. Harris has been an investment adviser since 1989.
Subject to the direction of the fund's Board of Trustees, Phoenix is responsible for managing the fund's investment program and for the general operations of the fund, including oversight of the fund's subadvisers and recommending their hiring, termination and replacement. Acadian, Golden and Harris, as subadvisers, are each responsible for the day-to-day management of their portion of the fund's portfolio. Phoenix, Acadian, Golden and Harris manage the fund's assets to conform with the investment policies as described in this prospectus.
The fund pays Phoenix a monthly investment management fee that is accrued daily against the value of the fund's net assets at the rate of 0.80%.
During the last fiscal year, the fund paid total management fees of $198,341. The ratio of management fees to average net assets for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 was 0.80%.
Phoenix has contractually agreed to limit total operating expenses of the fund (excluding interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses) through October 31, 2007, so that such expenses do not exceed the following percentages of the average annual net asset values of the fund:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A CLASS C
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Value Fund 1.40% 2.15%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Phoenix pays Acadian a subadvisory fee on the assets managed by Acadian which is calculated at a rate equal to 50% of the gross investment management fee.
Phoenix pays Golden a subadvisory fee on the assets managed by Golden at the following rates:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st $50 million Greater than $50 million
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subadvisory Fee 0.45% 0.40%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Phoenix pays Harris a subadvisory fee on the assets managed by Harris at the following rates:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st $25 million Greater than $25 million
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subadvisory Fee 0.50% 0.40%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
The fund and Phoenix have received an exemptive order from the Securities and
Exchange Commission that permits Phoenix, subject to certain conditions, and
without the approval of shareholders to: (a) employ a new unaffiliated
investment adviser for a fund pursuant to the terms of a new subadvisory
agreement, in each case either as a replacement for an existing subadviser or an
additional subadviser; (b) change the terms of any subadvisory agreement; and
(c) continue the employment of an existing subadviser on the same subadvisory
contract terms where a contract has been assigned because of a change in control
of the subadviser. In such
Phoenix Total Value Fund 19
circumstances, shareholders would receive notice of such action, including the information concerning the new subadviser that normally is provided in a proxy statement.
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees approving the advisory and subadvisory agreements is available in the fund's semiannual report covering the period July 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
ACADIAN
A team of investment professionals manages Acadian's allocation of the fund's portfolio and is responsible for the day-to-day management of that portion of the fund's investments.
BRENDAN O. BRADLEY. Mr. Bradley has served on the fund's portfolio management team since its inception in 2005. He is a Senior Vice President and a senior member of the investment research team. Prior to joining Acadian in 2004, Mr. Bradley was a Vice President at Upstream Technologies (2002-2004), where he designed and implemented quantitative investment management systems and strategies. His professional background also includes work as a research analyst and consultant at Samuelson Portfolio Strategies (1999-2002).
JOHN R. CHISHOLM, CFA. Mr. Chisholm has served on the fund's portfolio management team since its inception in 2005. He is Co-Chief Investment Officer and Executive Vice President of Acadian. Mr. Chisholm has been affiliated with Acadian since 1984, first in a consulting capacity (1984-1987), as a quantitative research analyst (1987-1989), and as a portfolio manager (since 1989). He became Co-Chief Investment Officer in 1997.
MATTHEW J. COHEN, CFA. Mr. Cohen has served on the fund's portfolio management team since its inception in 2005. He is a Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager of Acadian. Mr. Cohen specializes in quantitative equity valuation techniques and manages the processes and data that drive Acadian's investment approach. Prior to joining Acadian in 1994, he worked as a senior systems analyst and project manager for Digital Equipment Corporation.
RAYMOND F. MUI. Mr. Mui has served on the fund's portfolio management team since its inception in 2005. He is a Senior Vice President specializing in multi-factor equity valuation frameworks and the development of investment strategies for both the developed and emerging equity markets. Prior to joining Acadian in 1991, Mr. Mui was a member of the senior technical staff at Hughes Aircraft, where he developed prototypes of command, communications and information systems.
BRIAN K. WOLAHAN, CFA. Mr. Wolahan has served on the fund's portfolio management team since its inception in 2005. He is Co-Director of Research and a Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for developing and applying quantitative techniques to evaluate markets and securities. Before joining Acadian in 1990, Mr. Wolahan worked in the Systems Planning Group at Bank of New England, and as a Senior Systems Analyst at Mars Incorporated with responsibilities for Corporate Systems.
20 Phoenix Total Value Fund
GOLDEN
GREG W. GOLDEN, CFA and JEFF C. MOSER, CFA co-manage Golden's allocation of the fund's portfolio and are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of that portion of the fund's investments.
Mr. Golden has served as co-portfolio manager of the fund since its inception in 2005. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Golden (since 1999). Previously, Mr. Golden was Senior Vice President and Head of Structured Products Group for TradeStreet Investment Associates, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America (1995 through 1999). Mr. Golden began his career in 1989 with Sovran Bank of Tennessee, where his experience included portfolio management, derivatives management, trading, asset allocation and quantitative analysis.
Mr. Moser has served as co-portfolio manager of the fund since its inception in 2005. He is the Principal and Managing Director of Golden. Mr. Moser joined Golden in 1999 with the founding of Golden Capital Management. Prior to that, he served as Senior Vice President of the Structured Products Group for TradeStreet Investment Associates, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of America. Mr. Moser began his career with Bank of America in 1983 and was Senior Portfolio Manager and co-founder of their highly successful $1.8 billion Disciplined Equity product.
HARRIS
DANIEL L. SIDO manages Harris's allocation of the fund's portfolio and is responsible for the day-to-day management of that portion of the fund's investments.
Mr. Sido has served as portfolio manager of the fund since its inception in 2005. He is the Senior Partner and Portfolio Manager at Harris. Prior to joining Harris in 1994, Mr. Sido served as portfolio manager for a trust company, managing equity and fixed income portfolios. He has over 21 years of investment management experience.
Please refer to the Statement of Additional Information for additional information about the fund's portfolio managers, including the structure of and method of computing compensation, other accounts they manage and their ownership of shares of the fund.
Phoenix Total Value Fund 21
PRIOR PERFORMANCE OF ACADIAN
The performance information shown below represents a composite of the prior performance of all discretionary accounts managed by Acadian with substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies as the Total Value Fund. Performance results are net of account fees and expenses, and assume all dividends and distributions have been reinvested. The discretionary accounts are not registered mutual funds and were not subject to certain investment limitations and other restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Internal Revenue Code, which, if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance of the composite. Acadian's performance results would have been lower had fund expenses been used. The composite performance does not represent the historical performance of the fund and should not be interpreted as indicative of the future performance of the fund.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
CALENDAR YEAR ANNUAL RETURN (%)
1999 8.48%
2000 2.34%
2001 -4.97%
2002 -18.51%
2003 34.77%
2004 17.39%
2005 9.20%
|
Year-to-date performance (through September 30, 2006) is 12.30%.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS SINCE (FOR THE PERIODS ENDED 12/31/05) 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS INCEPTION(1) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ U.S. Value Equity Composite 9.20% 19.99% 6.00% 6.54% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ S&P 500(R) Index(2) 4.93% 14.40% 0.55% 1.15% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Russell 1000(R) Value Index(3) 7.05% 17.49% 5.28% 6.23% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MSCI USA Index(4) 5.14% 14.14% 0.04% 0.25% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
(1) Since October 1, 1999.
(2) The S&P 500(R) Index is a free-float adjusted market capitalization-weighted index of 500 of the largest U.S. companies. The index is calculated on a total-return basis with dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged and not available for direct investment; therefore, its performance does not reflect the fees, expenses or taxes associated with the active management of an actual portfolio.
(3) The Russell 1000(R) Value Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of
value-oriented stocks of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell Universe,
which comprises the 3,000 largest U.S. companies. The index is calculated on a
total-return basis with dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged and not
available for direct investment; therefore, its performance does not reflect the
fees, expenses or taxes associated with the active management of an actual
portfolio.
(4) The MSCI USA Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that
measures equity market performance within the United States. The index is
calculated on a total-return basis with gross dividends reinvested. The index is
unmanaged and not available for direct investment; therefore, its performance
does not reflect the fees, expenses or taxes associated with the active
management of an actual portfolio.
The net annual returns for the U.S. Value Equity Composite were calculated on an asset-weighted total-return basis, including a 0.50% annual management fee charged on a quarterly basis (which represents the highest advisory fee), commissions on securities transactions, margin interest paid, and dividend and interest earned. This method differs from the method used by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
22 Phoenix Total Value Fund
PRIOR PERFORMANCE OF GOLDEN
The performance information shown below represents a composite of the prior performance of all discretionary accounts representing a composite of fully discretionary separately managed accounts valued in excess of $1 million managed by Golden with substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies as the Total Value Fund. Equity composites are comprised of equity only accounts and include cash. The dispersion of annual returns is measured by the standard deviation of the asset-weighted portfolio returns represented within the composite for the full year. Performance results are net of account fees and expenses, and assume all dividends and distributions have been reinvested. The discretionary accounts are not registered mutual funds and were not subject to certain investment limitations and other restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Internal Revenue Code, which, if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance of the composite. Golden's performance results would have been lower had fund expenses been used. The composite performance does not represent the historical performance of the fund and should not be interpreted as indicative of the future performance of the fund.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
CALENDAR YEAR ANNUAL RETURN (%)
1996 26.28%
1997 35.61%
1998 30.75%
1999 24.03%
2000 7.02%
2001 -3.03%
2002 -15.95%
2003 28.62%
2004 14.02%
2005 5.58%
|
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS (FOR THE PERIODS ENDED 12/31/05) 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Large Core Value Composite 5.58% 15.69% 4.77% 14.13% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P 500(R) Index(1) 4.93% 14.40% 0.55% 9.12% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Russell 1000(R) Value Index(2) 7.05% 17.49% 5.28% 10.94% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
(1) The S&P 500(R) Index is a free-float adjusted market capitalization-weighted
index of 500 of the largest U.S. companies. The index is calculated on a
total-return basis with dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged and not
available for direct investment; therefore, its performance does not reflect the
fees, expenses or taxes associated with the active management of an actual
portfolio.
(2) The Russell 1000(R) Value Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of
value-oriented stocks of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell Universe,
which comprises the 3,000 largest U.S. companies. The index is calculated on a
total-return basis with dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged and not
available for direct investment; therefore, its performance does not reflect the
fees, expenses or taxes associated with the active management of an actual
portfolio.
The net annual returns for the Large Core Value Composite are time-weighted and dollar-weighted in accordance with the Performance Presentation Standards of the Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR-PPS). All returns reflect the deduction of the maximum applicable advisory fee for private accounts in this strategy of 0.75% annually, pro-rated on a monthly basis, brokerage commissions and execution costs paid by Golden's private accounts, without provision for federal or state income taxes. Custodial fees, if any, were not included in the calculations. This method differs from the method used by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Phoenix Total Value Fund 23
PRIOR PERFORMANCE OF HARRIS
The performance information shown below represents a composite of the prior performance of all discretionary accounts eligible for inclusion in the composite managed by Harris with substantially similar investment objectives, policies and strategies as the Total Value Fund. Equity composites are comprised of equity only accounts and include cash. The dispersion of annual returns is measured by the standard deviation of the asset-weighted portfolio returns represented within the composite for the full year. Performance results are net of account fees and expenses, and assume all dividends and distributions have been reinvested. The discretionary accounts are not registered mutual funds and were not subject to certain investment limitations and other restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Internal Revenue Code, which, if applicable, may have adversely affected the performance of the composite. Harris's performance results would have been lower had fund expenses been used. The composite performance does not represent the historical performance of the fund and should not be interpreted as indicative of the future performance of the fund.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
CALENDAR YEAR ANNUAL RETURN (%)
1996 25.28%
1997 36.34%
1998 14.08%
1999 -0.36%
2000 17.95%
2001 0.41%
2002 -18.19%
2003 30.92%
2004 19.07%
2005 13.04%
|
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS SINCE (FOR THE PERIODS ENDED 12/31/05) 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS INCEPTION(1) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Large Cap Value Composite 13.04% 20.79% 7.68% 9.33% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P 500(R) Index(2) 4.93% 14.40% 0.55% -1.14% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Russell 1000(R) Value Index(3) 7.05% 17.49% 5.28% 5.56% -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Since January 1, 2000. |
(2) The S&P 500(R) Index is a free-float adjusted market capitalization-weighted
index of 500 of the largest U.S. companies. The index is calculated on a
total-return basis with dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged and not
available for direct investment; therefore, its performance does not reflect the
fees, expenses or taxes associated with the active management of an actual
portfolio.
(3) The Russell 1000(R) Value Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of
value-oriented stocks of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell Universe,
which comprises the 3,000 largest U.S. companies. The index is calculated on a
total-return basis with dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged and not
available for direct investment; therefore, its performance does not reflect the
fees, expenses or taxes associated with the active management of an actual
portfolio.
The net annual returns for the Large Cap Value Composite were calculated on a time-weighted, asset-weighted, total-return basis, including a 0.60% management fee charged on a quarterly basis (which represents the highest advisory fee), commissions on securities transactions, margin interest paid, and dividend and interest earned. This method differs from the method used by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
24 Phoenix Total Value Fund
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund has an investment objective of capital appreciation. There is no guarantee that the fund will achieve its objective.
PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
> Under normal circumstances, the fund invests at least 65% of its assets
in securities of issuers located in three or more countries, one of
which will be the United States.
> The fund invests primarily in common stocks. Companies selected for
fund investment may be of any capitalization and may be located in
countries with developed markets and countries with "emerging markets."
> The fund uses a multi-manager approach. The adviser manages the fund's
investment program, the general operations of the fund, including
oversight of the fund's subadvisers, and the day-to-day management of
the domestic portion of the fund's portfolio. Acadian Asset Management,
Inc. ("Acadian") and New Star Institutional Managers Limited ("New
Star"), as subadvisers, are responsible for the day-to-day management
of the international portion of the fund's portfolio. The adviser and
the subadvisers each manage a portion of the fund's assets based on its
respective management style. The adviser makes the determination as to
the allocation of the assets between the fund's subadvisers.
> Acadian employs a core approach to construct international equity
portfolios. Acadian utilizes quantitative screening techniques to
identify attractively valued securities. All stocks in the global
equity universe are evaluated across multiple quantitative factors.
o Research is focused on identifying the factors most closely
associated with outperforming stocks. Factors must have statistical
significance, but also must meet the "common sense" test of having a
logical connection to the attributes of a successful company.
o The country decision is considered in combination with the sector
decision and driven by the stock selection process. The
country/sector model applies those factors that have proven most
statistically significant by market and sector based on detailed
factor attribution research.
o A portfolio optimization program is used throughout to balance the
expected return of the stocks with such considerations as the
portfolio's benchmark, desired level of risk and transaction cost
estimates.
> New Star strives to invest in companies whose return on invested
capital exceeds their cost of capital, that enjoy significant
competitive advantages, and that it believes have
Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund 25
|
good earnings momentum. Sustainable economic profits rather than
accounting profits are the focus.
An assessment of the liquidity environment helps determine stock and
regional weightings as well as the degree of risk tolerance. Weightings
at the country level may deviate significantly from the index.
> The adviser uses a quantitative approach coupled with fundamental
analysis in its equity security selection process. The 1,500 largest
capitalized stocks are ranked based on valuation, momentum and earnings
related factors. The adviser seeks a desired balance of risk and return
potential, including a targeted yield greater than that of the S&P
500(R) Index. The adviser does not guarantee that the targeted yield
will exceed the S&P 500(R) Index.
> The fund's investment strategies may lead to a high portfolio turnover
rate. A high portfolio turnover rate increases brokerage and other
transaction costs to the fund, negatively affects fund performance, and
may increase capital gain distributions, resulting in greater tax
liability to you.
|
Temporary defensive strategy: If the adviser believes that market conditions are not favorable to the fund's principal strategies, the fund may take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its principal investment strategies by investing, without limit, in U.S. government securities and in money market instruments. When this allocation happens, the fund may not achieve its investment objective.
Please see "Additional Investment Techniques" for other investment techniques of the fund.
RISKS RELATED TO PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
If you invest in this fund, you risk losing your investment.
GENERAL
The value of the fund's investments that supports your share value may decrease. If between the time you purchase shares and the time you sell shares the value of the fund's investments decreases, you will lose money.
Investment values can decrease for a number of reasons. Conditions affecting the overall economy, specific industries or companies in which the fund invests can be worse than expected and investments may fail to perform as the adviser or subadvisers expect. As a result, the value of your shares may decrease.
EMERGING MARKET INVESTING RISK
Investments in less-developed countries whose markets are still emerging generally present risks in greater degree than those presented by investments in foreign issuers based in countries with developed securities markets and more advanced regulatory systems. Prior governmental
26 Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund
approval may be required in some developing countries for the release of investment income, capital and sale proceeds to foreign investors, and some developing countries may limit the extent of foreign investment in domestic companies. Emerging market countries often suffer from currency devaluation and higher rates of inflation.
Developing countries may be adversely affected by trade barriers, exchange controls, managed adjustments in relative currency values and other protectionist measures imposed by countries with which they trade and may also be affected by economic conditions in such countries. In addition, a negative situation or condition that affects the market in one emerging market region may have a negative impact on all emerging market regions due to the so-called "ripple effect."
FOREIGN INVESTING RISK
Investing in securities of non-U.S. companies involves special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies such as:
o less publicly available information about foreign countries;
o political and economic instability within countries;
o differences in financial reporting standards and transaction settlement systems;
o the possibility of expropriation or confiscatory taxation; and
o changes in investment or exchange regulations.
Some investments may be made in currencies other than the U.S. dollar that will fluctuate in value as a result of changes in the currency exchange rates. Exchange rate fluctuations can cause the value of your shares to decrease or increase. Generally, when the value of the U.S. dollar increases against the foreign currency in which an investment is denominated, the security tends to decrease in value which, in turn, may cause the value of your shares to decrease.
EQUITY SECURITIES RISK
Generally, prices of equity securities are more volatile than those of fixed income securities. The prices of equity securities will rise and fall in response to a number of different factors. In particular, equity securities will respond to events that affect entire financial markets or industries (such as changes in inflation or consumer demand) and to events that affect particular issuers (such as news about the success or failure of a new product).
o GROWTH STOCKS. Because growth stocks typically make little or no dividend payments to shareholders, investment return is based on a stock's capital appreciation, making return more dependent on market increases and decreases. Growth stocks are, therefore, more volatile than non-growth stocks, tending to drop more sharply when markets fall. Growth-oriented funds typically underperform when value investing is in favor.
o LARGE MARKET CAPITALIZATION COMPANIES. Companies with large market capitalizations go in and out of favor based on market and economic conditions. Larger companies tend to be less
Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund 27
volatile than companies with smaller market capitalizations. In exchange for this potentially lower risk, the fund's value may not rise as much as the value of funds that emphasize companies with smaller market capitalizations.
o SMALL AND MEDIUM MARKET CAPITALIZATION COMPANIES. Companies with smaller market capitalizations are often companies with a limited operating history or companies in industries that have recently emerged due to cultural, economic, regulatory or technological developments. Such developments can have a significant impact or negative effect on smaller market capitalization companies and their stock performance and can make investment returns highly volatile. Product lines are often less diversified and subject to competitive threats. Smaller market capitalization stocks are subject to varying patterns of trading volume and may, at times, be difficult to sell.
o VALUE STOCKS. Value stocks involve the risk that the value of the security will not be recognized for an unexpectedly long period of time and that the security is not undervalued but is appropriately priced due to fundamental problems not yet apparent. Value-oriented funds typically underperform when growth investing is in favor.
MULTIPLE SUBADVISER RISK
The fund employs multiple subadvisers. Each subadviser independently chooses and maintains a portfolio of securities for the fund and each is responsible for investing a specific allocated portion of the fund's assets. Because each subadviser manages its allocated portion of the fund independently from the other subadviser(s), the same security may be held in different portions of the fund, or may be acquired for one portion of the fund at a time when a subadviser to another portion deems it appropriate to dispose of the security from that other portion. Because each subadviser directs the trading for its own portion of the fund, and does not aggregate its transactions with those of the other subadvisers, the fund may incur higher brokerage costs than would be the case if a single subadviser were managing the entire fund.
28 Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund
PERFORMANCE TABLES
The bar chart and table below provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund. The bar chart shows changes in the fund's Class A Share performance from year to year over a 10-year period.(1) The table shows how the fund's average annual returns compare with those of a broad-based securities market index and a more narrowly-based benchmark that reflects the market sectors in which the fund invests. The fund's past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the fund will perform in the future.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
CALENDAR YEAR ANNUAL RETURN (%)
1996 14.99%
1997 14.08%
1998 31.21%
1999 18.07%
2000 -1.33%
2001 -21.41%
2002 -17.59%
2003 26.89%
2004 15.80%
2005 8.63%
|
(1) The fund's annual returns in the chart above do not reflect the deduction of any sales charges. The returns would have been less than those shown if sales charges were deducted. During the period shown in the chart above, the highest return for a quarter was 19.21% (quarter ending December 31, 1998) and the lowest return for a quarter was -20.91% (quarter ending September 30, 2002). Year-to-date performance (through September 30, 2006) is 12.64%.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS SINCE INCEPTION(3) (FOR THE PERIODS ENDED 12/31/05)(2) 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS CLASS C ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return Before Taxes 2.38% -0.52% 6.93% -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return After Taxes on Distributions(4) 2.22% -0.63% 4.60% -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return After Taxes on Distributions(4)(5) 1.76% -0.46% 4.69% -- and Sale of Fund Shares ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return Before Taxes 3.77% -0.09% 6.75% -- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return Before Taxes 7.80% -0.11% -- 2.88% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- S&P 500(R) Index(6) 4.93% 0.55% 9.12% 2.58% ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MSCI World(SM) Index (Net)(7) 9.49% 2.18% 7.04% 2.74%(8) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
(2) The fund's average annual returns reflect the deduction of the maximum sales
charge for an investment in the fund's Class A Shares and a full redemption in
the fund's Class B Shares and Class C Shares.
(3) Class C Shares since December 15, 1998.
(4) After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual
federal marginal income tax rates, and do not reflect the impact of state and
local taxes. The after-tax returns shown are only for Class A Shares; after-tax
returns for other classes will vary. Actual after-tax returns depend on the
investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. The after-tax returns
shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through
tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement
accounts.
(5) If the fund incurs a loss, which generates a tax benefit, the Return After
Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares may exceed the fund's other
return figures.
(6) The S&P 500(R) Index is a free-float adjusted market capitalization-weighted
index of 500 of the largest U.S. companies. The index is calculated on a
total-return basis with dividends reinvested. The index is unmanaged and not
available for direct investment; therefore, its performance does not reflect the
fees, expenses or taxes associated with the active management of an actual
portfolio.
(7) The MSCI World(SM) Index (Net) is a free float-adjusted market
capitalization index that measures developed global market equity performance.
The index is calculated on a total-return basis with net dividends reinvested.
The index is unmanaged and not available for direct investment; therefore, its
performance does not reflect the fees, expenses or taxes associated with the
active management of an actual portfolio.
(8) Index performance since December 31, 1998.
Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund 29
This table illustrates all fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
SHARES SHARES SHARES
------ ------ ------
SHAREHOLDER FEES (FEES PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR
INVESTMENT)
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on
Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 5.75% None None
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (load) (as a
percentage of the lesser of the value redeemed
or the amount invested) None(a) 5.00%(b) 1.00%(c)
Maximum Sales Charge (load) Imposed on
Reinvested Dividends None None None
Redemption Fee None None None
Exchange Fee None None None
------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
SHARES SHARES SHARES
------ ------ ------
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (EXPENSES THAT
ARE DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS)
Management Fees 0.85% 0.85% 0.85%
Distribution and Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) 0.25% 1.00% 1.00%
Fees(d)
Other Expenses 0.60% 0.60% 0.60%
----- ----- -----
TOTAL ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES 1.70% 2.45% 2.45%
===== ===== =====
|
(b) The maximum deferred sales charge is imposed on Class B Shares redeemed during the first year; thereafter, it decreases 1% annually to 2% during the fourth and fifth years and to 0% after the fifth year.
(c) The deferred sales charge is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed during the first year only.
(d) Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Fees represent an asset-based sales charge that, for a long-term shareholder, over time may be higher than the maximum front-end sales charge permitted by the NASD.
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 fund's operating expenses remain the same. In the case of Class B Shares, it is assumed that your shares are converted to Class A Shares after eight years. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
30 Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A $738 $1,080 $1,445 $2,468 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B $648 $ 964 $1,306 $2,601 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C $348 $ 764 $1,306 $2,786 |
You would pay the following expenses if you did not redeem your shares:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B $248 $ 764 $1,306 $2,601 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C $248 $ 764 $1,306 $2,786 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
THE ADVISER AND SUBADVISERS
Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. ("Phoenix") is the investment adviser to the fund and is located at 56 Prospect Street, Hartford, CT 06115. Phoenix acts as the investment adviser for over 60 mutual funds and as adviser to institutional clients. As of June 30, 2006, Phoenix had approximately $29.4 billion in assets under management. Phoenix has acted as an investment adviser for over 70 years.
Acadian is a subadviser to the international portion of the fund and is located at One Post Office Square, 20th Floor, Boston, MA 02109. Acadian is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Old Mutual Asset Managers (US) LLC, which is wholly-owned by Old Mutual (US) Holdings, Inc. Old Mutual (US) Holdings, Inc. is wholly-owned by OM Group (UK) Limited. OM Group (UK) Limited is wholly-owned by Old Mutual PLC. Acadian serves as investment adviser to institutional portfolios in the same style as is provided to the fund. As of June 30, 2006, Acadian had approximately $44.5 billion in assets under management. Acadian has been an investment adviser since 1977.
New Star is a subadviser to the international portion of the fund and is located at 1 Knightsbridge Green, London, United Kingdom, SW1X7NE. New Star is wholly-owned by New Star Institutional Managers Holdings Limited, which is wholly-owned by New Star Asset Management Group Limited. New Star serves as investment adviser to fund vehicles registered in the European Union, charitable foundations, corporations, institutional investors and private accounts. As of June 30, 2006, New Star had approximately $14.1 billion in assets under management. New Star has been an investment adviser since 1988.
Subject to the direction of the fund's Board of Trustees, Phoenix is responsible for managing the fund's investment program, for the general operations of the fund, including oversight of the
Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund 31
fund's subadvisers, and for the day-to-day management of the domestic portion of the fund's portfolio. Acadian and New Star, as subadvisers, are each responsible for the day-to-day management of their international portion of the fund's portfolio. Phoenix, Acadian and New Star manage the fund's assets to conform with the investment policies as described in this prospectus.
The fund pays Phoenix a monthly investment management fee that is accrued daily against the value of the fund's net assets at the following rates:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$1+ billion
$1st billion through $2 billion $2+ billion
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management Fee 0.85% 0.80% 0.75%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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During the last fiscal year, the fund paid total management fees of $941,846. The ratio of management fees to average net assets for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 was 0.75%.
Phoenix pays Acadian a subadvisory fee, based on the schedule below, on the aggregated international assets managed by Acadian across all Phoenix Funds subadvised by Acadian:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$200+ million
1st $200 million through $500 million $500+ million
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subadvisory Fee 0.50% 0.40% 0.35%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Phoenix pays New Star a subadvisory fee, based on the schedule below, on the aggregated international assets managed by New Star across all Phoenix Funds subadvised by New Star:
----------------------------------------------------------------
1st $100 million $100+ million
----------------------------------------------------------------
Subadvisory Fee 0.50% 0.40%
----------------------------------------------------------------
|
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees approving the investment advisory and subadvisory agreements is available in the fund's semiannual report covering the period July 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
ACADIAN
BRENDAN O. BRADLEY and RAYMOND F. MUI co-manage Acadian's allocation of the international portion of the fund's portfolio (since July 1, 2005) and are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of Acadian's portion of the fund's investments.
Mr. Bradley is a Senior Vice President of Acadian and a senior member of the investment research team. Prior to joining Acadian in 2004, Mr. Bradley was a Vice President at Upstream Technologies (2002-2004), where he designed and implemented quantitative investment
32 Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund
management systems and strategies. His professional background also includes work as a research analyst and consultant at Samuelson Portfolio Strategies (1999-2002).
Mr. Mui is a Senior Vice President of Acadian, specializing in multi-factor equity valuation frameworks and the development of investment strategies for both the developed and emerging equity markets. He also focuses on portfolio optimization tools and the use of derivative instruments for obtaining non-U.S. equity exposure. Prior to joining Acadian in 1991, Mr. Mui was a member of the senior technical staff at Hughes Aircraft, where he developed prototypes of command, communications and information systems.
NEW STAR
MICHAL BARTEK, CFA and IAN BEATTIE manage New Star's allocation of the international portion of the fund's portfolio (since July 1, 2005). Mr. Beattie has overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of New Star's portion of the fund's investments and is supported by Mr. Bartek.
Mr. Bartek is an Investment Manager of New Star and is responsible for equity research in European markets. Prior to joining New Star in 1999, Mr. Bartek was Equity Analyst with Robert Fleming Securities (1997-1999) and Equity Analyst at NatWest Markets (1995-1997).
Mr. Beattie is an Investment Director of New Star and is responsible for the equity research of Asian markets. He is head of Asian (excluding Japan) equities at New Star. Prior to joining New Star in 1996, Mr. Beattie was a Fund Manager with Royal Insurance Asset Management (1992-1996).
PHOENIX
STEVEN L. COLTON manages the domestic portion of the fund's portfolio and has overall responsibility for the day-to-day management of Phoenix's portion of the fund's investments.
Mr. Colton has served as portfolio manager of the domestic portion of the fund since 2003. He also serves as portfolio manager for the Phoenix Balanced Fund, the Phoenix Growth & Income Fund and the Phoenix Income & Growth Fund. Mr. Colton is a Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Phoenix (since June 2006) and was Senior Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Engemann Asset Management ("Engemann"), an affiliate of
Phoenix (January 2005 to October 2006). Prior to joining Engemann, Mr. Colton was Managing Director, Senior Portfolio Manager of Phoenix (1997-2005).
Please refer to the Statement of Additional Information for additional information about the fund's portfolio managers, including the structure of and method of computing compensation, other accounts they manage and their ownership of shares of the fund.
Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund 33
In addition to the Principal Investment Strategies and Risks Related to Principal Investment Strategies, the Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund ("Mid-Cap Value Fund"), the Phoenix Pathfinder Fund ("Pathfinder Fund"), the Phoenix Total Value Fund ("Total Value Fund"), and the Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund ("Worldwide Strategies Fund") may engage in the following investment techniques as indicated:
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES
The funds may invest in convertible securities. Convertible securities may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer. If a security is called for redemption, the funds may have to redeem the security, convert it into common stock or sell it to a third party at a price and time that is not beneficial for the funds. In addition, securities convertible into common stocks may have higher yields than common stocks but lower yields than comparable nonconvertible securities.
DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
Worldwide Strategies Fund may invest in American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) sponsored by U.S. banks, European Depositary Receipts (EDRs), Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs) and ADRs not sponsored by U.S. banks. While investment in ADRs, EDRs and GDRs may eliminate some of the risk associated with foreign investments, it does not eliminate all the risks inherent in investing in securities of foreign issuers. EDRs, GDRs and ADRs which are not sponsored by U.S. banks, are subject to the same investment risks as foreign securities.
DERIVATIVES
The funds may write exchange-traded, covered call options and purchase put and call options on indices and foreign currencies, and may enter into futures contracts on foreign currencies and related options. The funds may use these techniques to hedge against changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, changes in securities prices or other factors affecting the value of their investments. If the adviser or subadviser fails to correctly predict these changes, the funds can lose money. Derivative contracts are usually less liquid than traditional securities and are subject to counterparty risk (the risk that the other party to the contract will default or otherwise not be able to perform its obligations). In addition, purchasing call or put options involves the risk that the funds may lose the premium they paid plus transaction costs. Futures and options involve market risk in excess of their value.
FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
The funds may invest in nonconvertible fixed income securities of U.S. and foreign (non-U.S.) issuers including corporate notes, bonds and debentures that are rated within the three highest
34 Phoenix Equity Trust
rating categories at the time of investment, or if unrated, are deemed by the respective subadviser to be of comparable quality. Generally, if interest rates rise, the value of debt securities will fall.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
The Worldwide Strategies Fund may invest in forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Such contracts may limit potential exchange rate gains, may incur higher transaction costs and may not protect the Worldwide Strategies Fund against future currency exchange fluctuations as anticipated by the adviser.
GOVERNMENT SECURITIES
The funds may invest in Treasury bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Government, its agencies and instrumentalities, and securities issued by foreign governments and supranational agencies (such as the World Bank). Not all government securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the issuing country, including the United States.
HIGH YIELD-HIGH RISK FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
The funds may invest in high yield-high risk fixed income securities. High yield-high risk fixed income securities (junk bonds) typically entail greater price volatility and principal and interest rate risk. There is a greater chance that an issuer will not be able to make principal and interest payments on time. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of high yield-high risk fixed income securities may be complex, and as a result, it may be more difficult for the adviser or subadviser to accurately predict risk.
OTHER EQUITY SECURITIES
The funds may invest in preferred stocks, warrants, rights and securities convertible into common stocks. Preferred stocks may not fully participate in dividends, and convertible securities may have higher yields than common stocks but lower yields than comparable nonconvertible securities.
SECURITIES LENDING
Worldwide Strategies Fund may loan portfolio securities to increase investment returns. If the borrower is unwilling or unable to return the borrowed securities when due, the fund can suffer losses.
SMALL AND MEDIUM MARKET CAPITALIZATION COMPANIES
The Pathfinder Fund and Total Value Fund may invest in issuers having small and medium market capitalizations. Companies with smaller market capitalizations are often companies with a limited operating history or companies in industries that have recently emerged due to cultural, economic, regulatory or technological developments. Such developments can have a significant impact or negative effect on small and medium market capitalization companies and
Phoenix Equity Trust 35
their stock performance and can make investment returns highly volatile. Product lines are often less diversified and subject to competitive threats. Smaller market capitalization stocks are subject to varying patterns of trading volume and may, at times, be difficult to sell.
UNRATED FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
The funds may invest in unrated securities. Unrated securities may not be lower in quality than rated securities, but due to their perceived risk they may not have as broad a market as rated securities. Analysis of unrated securities is more complex than for rated securities, making it more difficult for the adviser or subadviser to accurately predict risk.
The funds may buy other types of securities or employ other portfolio management techniques. Please refer to the Statement of Additional Information for more detailed information about these and other investment techniques of the funds.
HOW IS THE SHARE PRICE DETERMINED?
Each fund calculates a share price for each class of its shares. The share price for each class is based on the net assets of the fund and the number of outstanding shares of that class. In general, each fund calculates a share price for each class by:
o adding the values of all securities and other assets of the fund;
o subtracting liabilities; and
o dividing the result by the total number of outstanding shares of that class.
Assets: Equity securities are valued at the official closing price (typically last sale) on the exchange on which the securities are primarily traded, or, if no closing price is available, at the last bid price. Debt securities (other than short-term investments) are valued on the basis of broker quotations or valuations provided by a pricing service, which in determining value utilizes information with respect to recent sales, market transactions in comparable securities, quotations from dealers, and various relationships between securities. Short-term investments having a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. As required, some securities and assets are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by, or under the direction of, the Board of Trustees. Other assets, such as accrued interest, accrued dividends and cash are also included in determining a fund's net asset value.
Liabilities: Accrued liabilities for class specific expenses (if any), distribution fees, service fees and other liabilities are deducted from the assets of each class. Accrued expenses and liabilities
36 Phoenix Equity Trust
that are not class specific (such as management fees) are allocated to each class in proportion to each class's net assets except where an alternative allocation can be more appropriately made.
Net Asset Value: The liabilities allocated to a class are deducted from the proportionate interest of such class in the assets of the applicable fund. The resulting amount for each class is then divided by the number of shares outstanding of that class to produce each class's net asset value per share.
The net asset value per share of each class of each fund is determined as of the close of trading (normally 4:00 PM eastern time) on days when the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") is open for trading. A fund will not calculate its net asset values per share class on days when the NYSE is closed for trading. If a fund holds securities that are traded on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or other holidays when the funds do not price their shares, the net asset value of the fund's shares may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem the fund's shares.
HOW ARE SECURITIES FAIR VALUED?
If market quotations are not readily available or where available prices are not reliable, the fund determines a "fair value" for an investment according to policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. The types of assets for which such pricing might be required include: (i) securities whose trading has been suspended; (ii) securities where the trading market is unusually thin or trades have been infrequent; (iii) debt securities that have recently gone into default and for which there is no current market quotation; (iv) a security whose market price is not available from an independent pricing source and for which otherwise reliable quotes are not available; (v) securities of an issuer that has entered into a restructuring; (vi) a security whose price as provided by any pricing source, does not, in the opinion of the adviser/subadviser, reflect the security's market value; (vii) foreign securities subject to trading collars for which no or limited trading takes place; and (viii) securities where the market quotations are not readily available as a result of "significant" events. This list is not inclusive of all situations that may require a security to be fair valued, nor is it intended to be conclusive in determining whether a specific event requires fair valuation.
The value of any portfolio security held by the fund for which market quotations
are not readily available shall be determined in good faith and in a manner that
assesses the security's "fair value" on the valuation date (i.e., the amount
that the fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its
current sale), based on a consideration of all available facts and all available
information, including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the fundamental
analytical data relating to the investment; (ii) an evaluation of the forces
which influence the market in which these securities are purchased and sold
(e.g., the existence of merger proposals or tender offers that might affect the
value of the security); (iii) price quotes from dealers and/or pricing services;
(iv) an analysis of the issuer's financial statements; (v) trading volumes on
markets, exchanges or among dealers; (vi) recent news about the security or
issuer; (vii) changes in interest rates; (viii) information obtained from the
issuer, analysts, other financial institutions and/or the appropriate stock
exchange (for exchange traded securities); (ix) whether
Phoenix Equity Trust 37
two or more dealers with whom the adviser/subadviser regularly effects trades are willing to purchase or sell the security at comparable prices; (x) other news events or relevant matters; and (xi) government (domestic or foreign) actions or pronouncements.
Certain foreign common stocks may be fair valued in cases where closing prices are not readily available or are deemed not reflective of readily available market prices. For example, events (such as movement in the U.S. securities market, or other regional and local developments) may occur between the time that foreign markets close (where the security is principally traded) and the time that the fund calculates its net asset value (generally, the close of the NYSE) that may impact the value of securities traded in these foreign markets. In such cases, information from an external vendor may be utilized to adjust closing market prices of certain foreign common stocks to reflect their fair value. Because the frequency of significant events is not predictable, fair valuation of certain foreign common stocks may occur on a frequent basis.
The value of a security, as determined using the fund's fair valuation procedures, may not reflect such security's market value.
AT WHAT PRICE ARE SHARES PURCHASED?
All investments received by the funds' authorized agents prior to the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 PM eastern time) will be executed based on that day's net asset value. Shares credited to your account from the reinvestment of a fund's distributions will be in full and fractional shares that are purchased at the closing net asset value on the next business day on which the fund's net asset value is calculated following the dividend record date.
WHAT ARE THE CLASSES AND HOW DO THEY DIFFER?
Each fund presently offers Class A Shares and Class C Shares. Additionally, the Worldwide Strategies Fund offers Class B Shares. Each class of shares has different sales and distribution charges. (See "Fund Fees and Expenses" previously in this prospectus.) The funds have adopted distribution and service plans allowed under Rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, ("the 1940 Act") that authorize the funds to pay distribution and service fees for the sale of their shares and for services provided to shareholders.
WHAT ARRANGEMENT IS BEST FOR YOU?
The different classes of shares permit you to choose the method of purchasing shares that is most beneficial to you. In choosing a class of shares, consider the amount of your investment, the length of time you expect to hold the shares, whether you decide to receive distributions in cash or to reinvest them in additional shares, and any other personal circumstances. Depending upon these considerations, the accumulated distribution and service fees and contingent
38 Phoenix Equity Trust
deferred sales charges of one class of shares may be more or less than the initial sales charge and accumulated distribution and service fees of another class of shares bought at the same time. Because distribution and service fees are paid out of a fund's assets on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
Your financial representative should recommend only those arrangements that are suitable for you based on known information. In certain instances, you may be entitled to a reduction or waiver of sales charges. For instance, you may be entitled to a sales charge discount on Class A Shares if you purchase more than certain breakpoint amounts. You should inform or inquire of your financial representative whether or not you may be entitled to a sales charge discount attributable to your total holdings in a fund or affiliated funds. To determine eligibility for a sales charge discount, you may aggregate all of your accounts (including joint accounts, IRAs, non-IRAs, etc.) and those of your spouse and minor children. The financial representative may request you to provide an account statement or other holdings information to determine your eligibility for a breakpoint and to make certain all involved parties have the necessary data. Additional information about the classes of shares offered, sales charges, breakpoints and discounts follows in this section and also may be found in the Statement of Additional Information in the section entitled "How to Buy Shares." This information is available free of charge, and in a clear and prominent format, at the Individual Investors section of the Phoenix Funds' Web sites at PhoenixFunds.com or PhoenixInvestments.com. Please be sure that you fully understand these choices before investing. If you or your financial representative require additional assistance, you may also contact Mutual Fund Services by calling toll-free (800) 243-1574.
CLASS A SHARES. If you purchase Class A Shares, you will pay a sales charge at the time of purchase equal to 5.75% of the offering price (6.10% of the amount invested).(1) The sales charge may be reduced or waived under certain conditions. (See "Initial Sales Charge Alternative--Class A Shares" below.) Generally, Class A Shares are not subject to any charges by the funds when redeemed; however, a 1% contingent deferred sales charge ("CDSC") may be imposed on redemptions within one year on purchases on which a finder's fee has been paid. The one-year period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made. Class A Shares have lower distribution and service fees (0.25%) and pay higher dividends than Class B Shares and Class C Shares.
(1) Shareholders of the former FMI Sasco Contrarian Value Fund who became shareholders of the Mid-Cap Value Fund through the reorganization are not required to pay a sales load for new purchases of Class A shares of the Mid-Cap Value Fund.
Phoenix Equity Trust 39
years after purchase. Purchases of Class B Shares may be inappropriate for any investor who may qualify for reduced sales charges on Class A Shares and anyone who is over 85 years of age. The underwriter may decline purchases in such situations.
CLASS C SHARES. If you purchase Class C Shares, you will not pay a sales charge at the time of purchase. If you sell your Class C Shares within the first year after they are purchased, you will pay a deferred sales charge of 1%. (See "Deferred Sales Charge Alternative--Class B Shares and Class C Shares" below.) Class C Shares have the same distribution and service fees (1.00%) and pay comparable dividends as Class B Shares. Class C Shares do not convert to any other class of shares of the funds.
INITIAL SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE--CLASS A SHARES
The public offering price of Class A Shares is the net asset value plus a sales charge that varies depending on the size of your purchase. (See "Class A Shares--Reduced Initial Sales Charges" in the Statement of Additional Information.) Shares purchased based on the automatic reinvestment of income dividends or capital gain distributions are not subject to any sales charges. The sales charge is divided between your investment dealer and the funds' underwriter (Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation, "PEPCO" or "Distributor").
SALES CHARGE YOU MAY PAY TO PURCHASE CLASS A SHARES
SALES CHARGE AS
A PERCENTAGE OF
-------------------------------------
AMOUNT OF NET
TRANSACTION OFFERING AMOUNT
AT OFFERING PRICE PRICE INVESTED
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Under $50,000 5.75% 6.10%
$50,000 but under $100,000 4.75 4.99
$100,000 but under $250,000 3.75 3.90
$250,000 but under $500,000 2.75 2.83
$500,000 but under $1,000,000 2.00 2.04
$1,000,000 or more None None
|
SALES CHARGE REDUCTIONS AND WAIVERS
Investors may reduce or eliminate sales charges applicable to purchases of Class A Shares through utilization of Combination Purchase Privilege, Letter of Intent, Right of Accumulation, Purchase by Associations or the Account Reinstatement Privilege. These programs are summarized below and are described in greater detail in the Statement of Additional Information. Investors buying Class A Shares on which a finder's fee has been paid may incur a 1% deferred sales charge if they redeem their shares within one year of purchase.
Combination Purchase Privilege. Your purchase of any class of shares of these funds or any other Phoenix Fund (other than any Phoenix money market fund), if made at the same time by the same person, will be added together with any existing Phoenix Fund account values to determine whether the combined sum entitles you to an immediate reduction in sales charges. A "person" is defined in this and the following sections as: (a) any individual, their spouse and
40 Phoenix Equity Trust
minor children purchasing shares for his or their own account (including an IRA account) including his or their own trust; (b) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing for a single trust, estate or single fiduciary account (even though more than one beneficiary may exist); (c) multiple employer trusts or Section 403(b) plans for the same employer; (d) multiple accounts (up to 200) under a qualified employee benefit plan or administered by a third party administrator; or (e) trust companies, bank trust departments, registered investment advisers, and similar entities placing orders or providing administrative services with respect to accounts over which they exercise discretionary investment authority and which are held in a fiduciary, agency, custodial or similar capacity, provided all shares are held of record in the name, or nominee name, of the entity placing the order.
Letter of Intent. If you sign a Letter of Intent, your purchase of any class of shares of these funds or any other Phoenix Fund (other than any Phoenix money market fund), if made by the same person within a 13-month period, will be added together to determine whether you are entitled to an immediate reduction in sales charges. Sales charges are reduced based on the overall amount you indicate that you will buy under the Letter of Intent. The Letter of Intent is a mutually non-binding arrangement between you and the Distributor. Shares worth 5% of the amount of each purchase will be held in escrow (while remaining registered in your name) to secure payment of the higher sales charges applicable to the shares actually purchased in the event the full intended amount is not purchased.
Right of Accumulation. The value of your account(s) in any class of shares of these funds or any other Phoenix Fund (other than any Phoenix money market fund) if made over time by the same person, may be added together at the time of each purchase to determine whether the combined sum entitles you to a prospective reduction in sales charges. You must provide certain account information to the Distributor at the time of purchase to exercise this right.
Purchase by Associations. Certain groups or associations may be treated as a "person" and qualify for reduced Class A Share sales charges. The group or association must: (1) have been in existence for at least six months; (2) have a legitimate purpose other than to purchase mutual fund shares at a reduced sales charge; (3) work through an investment dealer; or (4) not be a group whose sole reason for existing is to consist of members who are credit card holders of a particular company, policyholders of an insurance company, customers of a bank or a broker-dealer or clients of an investment adviser.
Account Reinstatement Privilege. For 180 days after you sell your Class A, Class B or Class C Shares on which you have previously paid a sales charge, you may purchase Class A Shares of any Phoenix Fund at net asset value, with no sales charge, by reinvesting all or part of your proceeds, but not more.
Sales at Net Asset Value. In addition to the programs summarized above, the funds may sell their Class A Shares at net asset value without an initial sales charge to certain types of accounts or account holders, including, but not limited to: trustees of the Phoenix Funds; directors, officers, employees and sales representatives of the adviser, subadviser (if any) or Distributor or a corporate affiliate of the adviser or Distributor; private clients of an adviser or
Phoenix Equity Trust 41
subadviser to any of the Phoenix Funds; registered representatives and employees of dealers with which the Distributor has sales agreements; and certain qualified employee benefit plans, endowment funds or foundations. Please see the Statement of Additional Information for more information about qualifying for purchases of Class A Shares at net asset value.
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE ALTERNATIVE--CLASS B SHARES (WORLDWIDE STRATEGIES FUND ONLY) AND CLASS C SHARES
Class B Shares and Class C Shares are purchased without an initial sales charge; however, shares sold within a specified time period are subject to a declining CDSC at the rates listed below. The sales charge will be multiplied by the then current market value or the initial cost of the shares being redeemed, whichever is less. No sales charge will be imposed on increases in net asset value or on shares purchased through the reinvestment of income dividends or capital gain distributions. To minimize the sales charge, shares not subject to any charge will be redeemed first, followed by shares held the longest time. To calculate the number of shares owned and time period held, all Class B Shares purchased in any month are considered purchased on the last day of the preceding month, and all Class C Shares are considered purchased on the trade date.
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE YOU MAY PAY TO SELL CLASS B SHARES (WORLDWIDE STRATEGIES
FUND ONLY) YEAR 1 2 3 4 5 6+ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CDSC 5% 4% 3% 2% 2% 0% |
DEFERRED SALES CHARGE YOU MAY PAY TO SELL CLASS C SHARES
COMPENSATION TO DEALERS
Dealers with whom the Distributor has entered into sales agreements receive a discount or commission on Class A Shares as described below.
AMOUNT OF SALES CHARGE AS A SALES CHARGE AS A DEALER DISCOUNT AS A TRANSACTION PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF AT OFFERING PRICE OFFERING PRICE AMOUNT INVESTED OFFERING PRICE ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Under $50,000 5.75% 6.10% 5.00% $50,000 but under $100,000 4.75 4.99 4.25 $100,000 but under $250,000 3.75 3.90 3.25 $250,000 but under $500,000 2.75 2.83 2.25 $500,000 but under $1,000,000 2.00 2.04 1.75 $1,000,000 or more None None None |
42 Phoenix Equity Trust
In addition to the dealer discount on purchases of Class A Shares, the Distributor intends to pay investment dealers a sales commission of 4% of the sale price of Class B Shares and a sales commission of 1% of the sale price of Class C Shares sold by such dealers. (This sales commission will not be paid to dealers for sales of Class B Shares or Class C Shares purchased by 401(k) participants of the Merrill Lynch Daily K Plan due to a waiver of the CDSC for these plan participants' purchases.) Your broker, dealer or financial advisor may also charge you additional commissions or fees for their services in selling shares to you provided they notify the Distributor of their intention to do so.
Dealers and other entities that enter into special arrangements with the Distributor may receive compensation for the sale and promotion of shares of these funds and/or for providing other shareholder services. Such fees are in addition to the sales commissions referenced above and may be based upon the amount of sales of fund shares by a dealer; the provision of assistance in marketing of fund shares; access to sales personnel and information dissemination services; provision of recordkeeping and administrative services to qualified employee benefit plans; and other criteria as established by the Distributor. Depending on the nature of the services, these fees may be paid either from the funds through distribution fees, service fees or transfer agent fees or, in some cases, the Distributor may pay certain fees from its own profits and resources. From its own profits and resources, the Distributor does intend to: (a) from time to time, pay special incentive and retention fees to qualified wholesalers, registered financial institutions and third party marketers; (b) pay broker-dealers a finder's fee in an amount equal to 1% of the first $3 million of Class A Share purchases by an account held in the name of a qualified employee benefit plan with at least 100 eligible employees, 0.50% on the next $3 million, plus 0.25% on the amount in excess of $6 million; and (c) excluding purchases as described in (b) above, pay broker-dealers an amount equal to 1.00% of the amount of Class A Shares sold from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000, 0.50% on amounts of $3,000,001 to $10,000,000 and 0.25% on amounts greater than $10,000,000. For purchases made prior to January 11, 2006, if part or all of such investment as described in (b) and (c) above, including investments by qualified employee benefit plans, is subsequently redeemed within one year of the investment date, the broker-dealer will refund to the Distributor such amounts paid with respect to the investment. For purchases made after January 11, 2006, if part or all of such investment as described in (b) and (c) above, including investments by qualified employee benefit plans opened after January 11, 2006, is subsequently redeemed within one year, a 1% CDSC may apply, except for redemptions of shares purchased on which a finder's fee would have been paid where such investor's dealer of record, due to the nature of the investor's account, notifies the Distributor prior to the time of the investment that the dealer waives the finder's fee otherwise payable to the dealer, or agrees to receive such finder's fee ratably over a 12-month period. For purposes of determining the applicability of the CDSC, the one-year CDSC period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made. Any dealer who receives more than 90% of a sales charge may be deemed to be an "underwriter" under the Securities Act of 1933. PEPCO reserves the right to discontinue or alter such fee payment plans at any time.
Phoenix Equity Trust 43
From its own resources or pursuant to the distribution and shareholder servicing plans, and subject to the dealers' prior approval, the Distributor may provide additional compensation to registered representatives of dealers in the form of travel expenses, meals, and lodging associated with training and educational meetings sponsored by the Distributor. The Distributor may also provide gifts amounting in value to less than $100, and occasional meals or entertainment, to registered representatives of dealers. Any such travel expenses, meals, lodging, gifts or entertainment paid will not be preconditioned upon the registered representatives' or dealers' achievement of a sales target. The Distributor may, from time to time, reallow the entire portion of the sales charge on Class A Shares which it normally retains to individual selling dealers. However, such additional reallowance generally will be made only when the selling dealer commits to substantial marketing support such as internal wholesaling through dedicated personnel, internal communications and mass mailings.
The Distributor has agreed to pay fees to certain distributors for preferred marketing opportunities. These arrangements may be viewed as creating a conflict of interest between these distributors and investors. Investors should make due inquiry of their selling agents to ensure that they are receiving the requisite point of sale disclosures and suitable recommendations free of any influence by reason of these arrangements.
OPENING AN ACCOUNT
Your financial advisor can assist you with your initial purchase as well as all phases of your investment program. If you are opening an account by yourself, please follow the instructions outlined below.
The funds have established the following preferred methods of payment for fund shares:
o Checks drawn on an account in the name of the investor and made payable to Phoenix Funds;
o Checks drawn on an account in the name of the investor's company or employer and made payable to Phoenix Funds; or
o Wire transfers or Automated Clearing House (ACH) transfers from an account in the name of the investor, or the investor's company or employer.
Payment in other forms may be accepted at the discretion of the funds. Please specify the name(s) of the fund or funds in which you would like to invest on the check or transfer instructions.
To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies
44 Phoenix Equity Trust
each person who opens an account. Accordingly, when you open an account, we will ask for your name, address, date of birth and other information that will allow us to identify you. We may check the information you provide against publicly available databases, information obtained from consumer reporting agencies, other financial institutions or other sources. If, after reasonable effort, we cannot verify your identity, we reserve the right to close the account and redeem the shares at net asset value next calculated after the decision is made by us to close the account.
STEP 1.
Your first choice will be the initial amount you intend to invest in each fund.
Minimum INITIAL investments:
o $25 for individual retirement accounts (IRAs), accounts that use the systematic exchange privilege, or accounts that use the Investo-Matic program. (See below for more information on the Investo-Matic program.)
o There is no initial dollar requirement for defined contribution plans, asset-based fee programs, profit-sharing plans, or employee benefit plans. There is also no minimum for reinvesting dividends and capital gains into another account.
o $500 for all other accounts.
Minimum ADDITIONAL investments:
o $25 for any account.
o There is no minimum additional investment requirement for defined contribution plans, asset-based fee programs, profit-sharing plans, or employee benefit plans. There is also no minimum additional investment requirement for reinvesting dividends and capital gains into an existing account.
The funds reserve the right to refuse any purchase order for any reason.
STEP 2.
Your second choice will be what class of shares to buy. The Worldwide Strategies Fund offers Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class C Shares, and the Mid-Cap Value Fund, the Pathfinder Fund and the Total Value Fund offer Class A Shares and Class C Shares. Each share class has different sales and distribution charges. Because all future investments in your account will be made in the share class you choose when you open your account, you should make your decision carefully. Your financial advisor can help you pick the share class that makes the most sense for your situation.
STEP 3.
Your next choice will be how you want to receive any dividends and capital gain distributions. Your options are:
Phoenix Equity Trust 45
o Receive both dividends and capital gain distributions in additional shares;
o Receive dividends in additional shares and capital gain distributions in cash;
o Receive dividends in cash and capital gain distributions in additional shares; or
o Receive both dividends and capital gain distributions in cash.
No interest will be paid on uncashed distribution checks.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT
------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------
Contact your advisor. Some advisors may charge a
Through a financial advisor fee and may set different minimum investments or
limitations on buying shares.
------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------
Complete a New Account Application and send it
with a check payable to the funds. Mail them to:
Through the mail State Street Bank, P.O. Box 8301, Boston, MA
02266-8301.
------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------
Complete a New Account Application and send it
with a check payable to the funds. Send them to:
Through express delivery Boston Financial Data Services, Attn.: Phoenix
Funds, 30 Dan Road, Canton, MA 02021-2809.
------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------
By Federal Funds wire Call us at (800) 243-1574 (press 1, then 0).
------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------
Complete the appropriate section on the
application and send it with your initial
By Investo-Matic investment payable to the funds. Mail them to:
State Street Bank, P.O. Box 8301, Boston, MA
02266-8301.
------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------
By telephone exchange Call us at (800) 243-1574 (press 1, then 0).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
The price at which a purchase is effected is based on the net asset value determined after the receipt of a purchase order by the funds' Transfer Agent.
You have the right to have the funds buy back shares at the net asset value next determined after receipt of a redemption order by the fund's Transfer Agent or an authorized agent. In the case of a Class B Share or Class C Share redemption, you will be subject to the applicable contingent deferred sales charge, if any, for such shares. Subject to certain restrictions, shares may be redeemed by telephone or in writing. In addition, shares may be sold through securities dealers, brokers or agents who may charge customary commissions or fees for their services. The funds do
46 Phoenix Equity Trust
not charge any redemption fees. Payment for shares redeemed is made within seven days; however, redemption proceeds will not be disbursed until each check used for purchases of shares has been cleared for payment by your bank, which may take up to 15 days after receipt of the check.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TO SELL SHARES
------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------
Contact your advisor. Some advisors may charge a
Through a financial advisor fee and may set different minimums on redemptions
of accounts.
------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------
Send a letter of instruction and any share
certificates (if you hold certificate shares) to:
State Street Bank, P.O. Box 8301, Boston, MA
Through the mail 02266-8301. Be sure to include the registered
owner's name, fund and account number, and number
of shares or dollar value you wish to sell.
------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------
Send a letter of instruction and any share
certificates (if you hold certificate shares) to:
Boston Financial Data Services, Attn.: Phoenix
Through express delivery Funds, 30 Dan Road, Canton, MA 02021-2809. Be
sure to include the registered owner's name, fund
and account number, and number of shares or
dollar value you wish to sell.
------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------
By telephone For sales up to $50,000, requests can be made by
calling (800) 243-1574.
------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------
By telephone exchange Call us at (800) 243-1574 (press 1, then 0).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
You may realize a taxable gain or loss (for federal income tax purposes) if you redeem shares of the funds. Each fund reserves the right to pay large redemptions "in-kind" (i.e., in securities owned by the fund) rather than in cash. Large redemptions are those over $250,000 or 1% of the applicable fund's net assets, whichever is less. Additional documentation will be required for redemptions by organizations, fiduciaries, or retirement plans, or if a redemption is requested by anyone but the shareholder(s) of record. Transfers between broker-dealer "street" accounts are governed by the accepting broker-dealer. Questions regarding this type of transfer should be directed to your financial advisor. Redemption requests will not be honored until all required documents, in proper form, have been received. To avoid delay in redemption or transfer, shareholders having questions about specific requirements should contact the funds' Transfer Agent at (800) 243-1574.
Phoenix Equity Trust 47
REDEMPTIONS BY MAIL
> If you are selling shares held individually, jointly, or as custodian
under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or Uniform Transfers to Minors
Act:
Send a clear letter of instructions if all of these apply:
o The proceeds do not exceed $50,000.
o The proceeds are payable to the registered owner at the address on
record.
Send a clear letter of instructions with a signature guarantee when any
of these apply:
o You are selling more than $50,000 worth of shares.
o The name or address on the account has changed within the last 30
days.
o You want the proceeds to go to a different name or address than on
the account.
> If you are selling shares held in a corporate or fiduciary account,
please contact the funds' Transfer Agent at (800) 243-1574.
|
If required, the signature guarantee must be a STAMP 2000 Medallion guarantee and be made by an eligible guarantor institution as defined by the funds' Transfer Agent in accordance with its signature guarantee procedures. Guarantees using previous technology medallions will not be accepted. Currently, the Transfer Agent's signature guarantee procedures generally permit guarantees by banks, broker-dealers, credit unions, national securities exchanges, registered securities associations, clearing agencies and savings associations.
SELLING SHARES BY TELEPHONE
The Transfer Agent will use reasonable procedures to confirm that telephone instructions are genuine. Address and bank account information are verified, redemption instructions are taped, and all redemptions are confirmed in writing.
The individual investor bears the risk from instructions given by an unauthorized third party that the Transfer Agent reasonably believed to be genuine.
The Transfer Agent may modify or terminate the telephone redemption privilege at any time with 60 days notice to shareholders, except for instances of disruptive trading or market timing; in such cases, the telephone redemption privilege may be suspended immediately, followed by written notice. (See "Disruptive Trading and Market Timing" in this Prospectus.)
During times of drastic economic or market changes, telephone redemptions may be difficult to make or temporarily suspended.
48 Phoenix Equity Trust
ACCOUNT REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE
For 180 days after you sell your Class A Shares, Class B Shares or Class C Shares on which you previously paid a sales charge, you may purchase Class A Shares of any Phoenix Fund at net asset value, with no sales charge, by reinvesting all or part of your proceeds, but not more. Send your written request to State Street Bank, P.O. Box 8301, Boston, MA 02266-8301. You can call us at (800) 243-1574 for more information.
Please remember, a redemption and reinvestment are considered to be a sale and purchase for tax-reporting purposes. Class B and Class C shareholders who have had the contingent deferred sales charge waived because they are in the Systematic Withdrawal Program are not eligible for this reinstatement privilege.
REDEMPTION OF SMALL ACCOUNTS
Due to the high cost of maintaining small accounts, if your redemption activity causes your account balance to fall below $200, you may receive a notice requesting you to bring the balance up to $200 within 60 days. If you do not, the shares in the account will be sold at net asset value, and a check will be mailed to the address of record.
DISTRIBUTIONS OF SMALL AMOUNTS
Distributions in amounts less than $10 will automatically be reinvested in additional shares of the applicable fund.
UNCASHED CHECKS
If any correspondence sent by the fund is returned by the postal or other delivery service as "undeliverable," your dividends or any other distribution may be automatically reinvested in the fund.
If your distribution check is not cashed within six months, the distribution may be reinvested in the fund at the current NAV. You will not receive any interest on uncashed distribution or redemption checks. This provision may not apply to certain retirement or qualified accounts.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
You should read the prospectus of the Phoenix Fund(s) into which you want to make an exchange before deciding to make an exchange. You can obtain a prospectus from your financial advisor or by calling us at (800) 243-4361 or accessing our Web sites at PhoenixFunds.com or PhoenixInvestments.com.
o You may exchange shares of one fund for the same class of shares of another Phoenix Fund; e.g., Class A Shares for Class A Shares. Class C Shares are also exchangeable
Phoenix Equity Trust 49
for Class T Shares of those Phoenix Funds offering them. Exchange privileges may not be available for all Phoenix Funds and may be rejected or suspended.
o Exchanges may be made by telephone (800) 243-1574) or by mail (State Street Bank, P.O. Box 8301, Boston, MA 02266-8301).
o The amount of the exchange must be equal to or greater than the minimum initial investment required.
o The exchange of shares is treated as a sale and purchase for federal income tax purposes.
DISRUPTIVE TRADING AND MARKET TIMING
These funds are not suitable for market timers and market timers are discouraged from becoming investors. Your ability to make exchanges among funds is subject to modification if we determine, in our sole opinion, that your exercise of the exchange privilege may disadvantage or potentially harm the rights or interests of other shareholders.
Frequent purchases, redemptions and exchanges, programmed exchanges, exchanges into and then out of a fund in a short period of time, and exchanges of large amounts at one time may be indicative of market timing and otherwise disruptive trading ("Disruptive Trading") which can have risks and harmful effects for other shareholders. These risks and harmful effects include:
o dilution of the interests of long-term investors, if market timers or others exchange into a fund at prices that are below the true value or exchange out of a fund at prices that are higher than the true value;
o an adverse effect on portfolio management, as determined by portfolio management in its sole discretion, such as causing the fund to maintain a higher level of cash than would otherwise be the case, or causing the fund to liquidate investments prematurely; and
o reducing returns to long-term shareholders through increased brokerage and administrative expenses.
Additionally, the nature of the portfolio holdings of the Worldwide Strategies Fund may expose the fund to investors who engage in the type of market timing trading that seeks to take advantage of possible delays between the change in the value of a mutual fund's portfolio holdings and the reflection of the change in the net asset value of the fund's shares, sometimes referred to as "time-zone arbitrage." Arbitrage market timers seek to exploit possible delays between the change in the value of a mutual fund's portfolio holdings and the net asset value of the fund's shares in funds that hold significant investments in foreign securities because certain foreign markets close several hours ahead of the U.S. markets. If an arbitrageur is successful, the value of the fund's shares may be diluted if redeeming shareholders receive proceeds (and buying shareholders receive shares) based upon net asset values which do not reflect appropriate fair value prices.
50 Phoenix Equity Trust
In order to attempt to protect our shareholders from Disruptive Trading, the funds' Board of Trustees has adopted market timing policies and procedures designed to discourage Disruptive Trading. The Board has adopted these policies and procedures as a preventive measure to protect all shareholders from the potential effects of Disruptive Trading, while also abiding by any rights that shareholders may have to make exchanges and provide reasonable and convenient methods of making exchanges that do not have the potential to harm other shareholders.
Excessive trading activity is measured by the number of roundtrip transactions in an account. A roundtrip transaction is one where a shareholder buys and then sells, or sells and then buys, shares of any fund within 30 days. Shareholders of the funds are limited to one roundtrip transaction within any rolling 30-day period. Roundtrip transactions are counted at the shareholder level. In considering a shareholder's trading activity, the funds may consider, among other factors, the shareholder's trading history both directly and, if known, through financial intermediaries, in the funds, in other funds within the Phoenix Fund complex, in non-Phoenix mutual funds or in accounts under common control or ownership. We do not include exchanges made pursuant to the dollar cost averaging or other similar programs when applying our market timing policies. Systematic withdrawal and/or contribution programs, mandatory retirement distributions, and transactions initiated by a plan sponsor also will not count towards the roundtrip limits. The funds may permit exchanges that they believe, in the exercise of their judgement, are not disruptive. The size of the fund and the size of the requested transaction may be considered when determining whether or not the transaction would be disruptive.
Shareholders holding shares for at least 30 days following investment will ordinarily be in compliance with the funds' policies regarding excessive trading. The funds may, however, take action if activity is deemed disruptive even if shares are held longer than 30 days, such as a request for a transaction of an unusually large size. The size of the fund and the size of the requested transaction may be considered when determining whether or not the transaction would be disruptive.
Under our market timing policies, we may modify your exchange privileges for some or all of the funds by not accepting an exchange request from you or from any person, asset allocation service, and/or market timing services made on your behalf. We may also limit the amount that may be exchanged into or out of any fund at any one time or could revoke your right to make Internet, telephone or facsimile exchanges. We may reinstate Internet, telephone and facsimile exchange privileges after they are revoked, but we will not reinstate these privileges if we have reason to believe that they might be used thereafter for Disruptive Trading.
The funds currently do not charge exchange or redemption fees, or any other administrative charges on fund exchanges. The funds reserve the right to impose such fees and/or charges in the future.
Orders for the purchase of fund shares are subject to acceptance by the relevant fund. We reserve the right to reject, without prior notice, any exchange request into any fund if the purchase of shares in the corresponding fund is not accepted for any reason.
Phoenix Equity Trust 51
Omnibus accounts are maintained by intermediaries acting on behalf of multiple investors whose individual trades are not ordinarily disclosed to the funds. There is no assurance that the funds or their agents will have access to any or all information necessary to detect market timing in omnibus accounts. While the funds will seek to take action (directly and with the assistance of financial intermediaries) that will detect market timing, the funds cannot guarantee that such trading activity in omnibus accounts can be completely eliminated.
The funds do not have any arrangements with any person, organization or entity to permit frequent purchases and redemptions of fund shares.
We may, without prior notice, take whatever action we deem appropriate to comply with or take advantage of any state or federal regulatory requirement. The funds reserve the right to reject any purchase or exchange transaction at any time. If we reject a purchase or exchange for any reason, we will notify you of our decision in writing.
The funds cannot guarantee that their policies and procedures regarding market timing will be effective in detecting and deterring all Disruptive Trading.
RETIREMENT PLANS
Shares of the funds may be used as investments under the following qualified prototype retirement plans: traditional IRA, rollover IRA, SIMPLE IRA, Roth IRA, 401(k) plans, profit-sharing, money purchase plans, and 403(b) plans. For more information, call (800) 243-4361.
INVESTO-MATIC is a systematic investment plan that allows you to have a specified amount automatically deducted from your checking or savings account and then deposited into your mutual fund account. Just complete the Investo-Matic Section on the application and include a voided check.
SYSTEMATIC EXCHANGE allows you to automatically move money from one Phoenix Fund to another on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. Shares of one Phoenix Fund will be exchanged for shares of the same class of another Phoenix Fund at the interval you select. To sign up, just complete the Systematic Exchange Section on the application. Exchange privileges may not be available for all Phoenix Funds and may be rejected or suspended.
TELEPHONE EXCHANGE lets you exchange shares of one Phoenix Fund for the same class of shares in another Phoenix Fund, using our customer service telephone service. (See the "Telephone Exchange" section on the application.) Exchange privileges may not be available for all Phoenix Funds and may be rejected or suspended.
52 Phoenix Equity Trust
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PROGRAM allows you to periodically redeem a portion of your account on a predetermined monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual basis. Sufficient shares from your account will be redeemed at the closing net asset value on the applicable payment date, with proceeds to be mailed to you or sent through ACH to your bank (at your selection). For payments to be mailed, shares will be redeemed on the 15th of the month so that the payment is made about the 20th of the month. For ACH payments, you may select the day of the month for the payments to be made; if no date is specified, the payments will occur on the 15th of the month. The minimum withdrawal is $25, and minimum account balance requirements continue to apply. Shareholders in the program must own Phoenix Fund shares worth at least $5,000.
DISCLOSURE OF FUND HOLDINGS. The funds make available on the Phoenix Funds' Web sites, PhoenixFunds.com or PhoenixInvestments.com, information with respect to each fund's top 10 holdings and summary composition data derived from portfolio holdings information. This information is posted to the Web sites at the end of each month with respect to the top 10 holdings, and at the end of each quarter with respect to summary composition information, generally within 10 business days. This information will remain available on the Web sites until full portfolio holdings information becomes publicly available. A full listing of each fund's portfolio holdings becomes publicly available (i) as of the end of its second and fourth fiscal quarters in shareholder reports, which are sent to all shareholders and are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Form N-CSR, and (ii) at the end of its first and third fiscal quarters by filing with the SEC a Form N-Q. The funds' shareholder reports are available without charge on Phoenix's Web site at PhoenixFunds.com (also accessible at PhoenixInvestments.com). The funds' Form N-Q filings are available on the SEC's Internet site at sec.gov. A more detailed description of the funds' policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the funds' portfolio securities is also available in the Statement of Additional Information.
The funds plan to make distributions from net investment income at intervals stated in the table below and to distribute net realized capital gains, if any, at least annually.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FUND DIVIDEND PAID
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mid-Cap Value Fund Semiannually
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pathfinder Fund Semiannually
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Value Fund Semiannually
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Worldwide Strategies Fund Semiannually
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phoenix Equity Trust 53
|
Distributions of short-term capital gains and net investment income are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Under the Jobs and Growth Tax Reconciliation Act of 2003, certain distributions of long-term capital gains and certain dividends are taxable at a lower rate than ordinary income. Long-term capital gains, if any, distributed to shareholders and which are designated by the funds as capital gain distributions, are taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gain distributions regardless of the length of time you have owned your shares.
Unless you elect to receive distributions in cash, dividends and capital gain distributions are paid in additional shares. All distributions, cash or additional shares, are subject to federal income tax and may be subject to state, local and other taxes.
54 Phoenix Equity Trust
These tables are intended to help you understand the funds' financial performance for the past five years or since inception. Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in each fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the funds' independent registered public accounting firm. Their report, together with the funds' financial statements, is included in the funds' most recent Annual Report, which is available upon request.
PHOENIX MID-CAP VALUE FUND
The Mid-Cap Value Fund is the successor of the FMI Sasco Contrarian Value Fund (the "Predecessor Fund") resulting from a reorganization of the Predecessor Fund with the Mid-Cap Value Fund on October 22, 2004. The Mid-Cap Value Fund treats the past performance of the Predecessor Fund as its own. Prior to October 22, 2004, the Predecessor Fund offered only one class of shares, which is now called Class A Shares. The performance of Class A Shares of the Predecessor Fund in the table below has not been adjusted to reflect the expenses of the Mid-Cap Value Fund.
CLASS A(1)
----------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
2006 2005 2004 2003 2002
--------- --------- --------- --------- --------
Net asset value, beginning of period $19.63 $17.04 $12.18 $13.21 $12.15
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss)(2) 0.10 0.08 (0.01) 0.01 (0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 2.05 2.55 4.88 (1.04) 1.09
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 2.15 2.63 4.87 (1.03) 1.08
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income (0.05) (0.04) (0.01) -- (0.02)
Distributions from net realized gains (0.01) -- -- -- --
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.06) (0.04) (0.01) -- (0.02)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Change in net asset value 2.09 2.59 4.86 (1.03) 1.06
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $21.72 $19.63 $17.04 $12.18 $13.21
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Total return(3) 11.07% 15.39% 40.03% (7.80)% 8.89%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (thousands) $187,701 $97,771 $6,404 $3,800 $5,240
RATIO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF:
Net operating expenses 1.25% 1.25% 1.30% 1.30% 1.30%
Gross operating expenses 1.42% 1.65% 2.76% 3.05% 2.68%
Net investment income (loss) 0.50% 0.49% (0.06)% 0.09% (0.05)%
Portfolio turnover 16% 9% 53% 23% 49%
----------------------
|
(1) Due to a reorganization on October 22, 2004, the Mid-Cap Value Fund is the
successor of the FMI Sasco Contrarian Value Fund. The Mid-Cap Value Fund
Class A treats the past performance of the FMI Sasco Contrarian Value Fund
as its own.
(2) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(3) Sales charges are not reflected in the total return calculation.
Phoenix Equity Trust 55
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (CONTINUED)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CLASS C
-----------------------
FROM
INCEPTION
YEAR 10/22/04
ENDED TO
6/30/06 6/30/05
--------- ---------
Net asset value, beginning of period $19.54 $17.77
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss)(1) (0.05) (0.04)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 2.05 1.84
----- -----
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 2.00 1.80
----- -----
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income -- (0.03)
Distributions from net realized gains (0.01) --
----- -----
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.01) (0.03)
----- -----
Change in net asset value 1.99 1.77
----- -----
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $21.53 $19.54
===== =====
Total return(2) 10.26% 10.13%(4)
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (thousands) $99,987 $37,934
RATIO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF:
Net operating expenses 2.00% 2.00%(3)
Gross operating expenses 2.17% 2.29%(3)
Net investment income (loss) (0.25)% (0.28)%(3)
Portfolio turnover 16% 9%(4)
-----------------------------------
(1) Computed using average shares outstanding.
|
(2) Sales charges are not reflected in the total return calculation.
(3) Annualized.
(4) Not annualized.
56 Phoenix Equity Trust
Phoenix Pathfinder Fund
CLASS A CLASS C
---------- ----------
FROM FROM
INCEPTION INCEPTION
7/29/05 7/29/05
TO TO
6/30/06 6/30/06
---------- ----------
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.00 $10.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss)(2) 0.07 --(5)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 1.17 1.19
------ -----
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 1.24 1.19
------ -----
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income (0.04) (0.01)
------ -----
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.04) (0.01)
------ -----
Change in net asset value 1.20 1.18
------ -----
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $11.20 $11.18
====== ======
Total return(1) 12.41%(4) 11.85%(4)
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (thousands) $3,292 $183
RATIO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF:
Net operating expenses 1.40%(3)(6) 2.15%(3)(6)
Gross operating expenses 7.45%(3) 8.19%(3)
Net investment income (loss) 0.72%(3) (0.05)%(3)
Portfolio turnover 136%(4) 136%(4)
--------------------------------------
|
(1) Sales charges are not reflected in the total return calculation.
(2) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(3) Annualized.
(4) Not annualized.
(5) Amount is less than $0.01.
(6) The ratio of net operating expenses to average net assets excludes the
effect of expense offsets for custodian fees; if expense offsets were included,
the ratio would have been 0.05% lower than the ratio shown in the table.
Phoenix Equity Trust 57
Phoenix Total Value Fund
CLASS A CLASS C
----------- ----------
FROM FROM
INCEPTION INCEPTION
7/29/05 7/29/05
TO TO
6/30/06 6/30/06
----------- ----------
Net asset value, beginning of period $10.00 $10.00
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss)(2) 0.06 (0.01)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 0.80 0.80
------ ------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 0.86 0.79
------ ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income (0.03) --
------ ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.03) --
------ ------
Change in net asset value 0.83 0.79
------ ------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $10.83 $10.79
====== ======
Total return(1) 8.60%(4) 7.90%(4)
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (thousands) $27,924 $382
RATIO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF:
Net operating expenses 1.40%(3)(5) 2.15%(3)(5)
Gross operating expenses 1.87%(3) 2.62%(3)
Net investment income (loss) 0.59%(3) (0.15)%(3)
Portfolio turnover 76%(4) 76%(4)
-------------------------------------
|
(1) Sales charges are not reflected in the total return calculation.
(2) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(3) Annualized.
(4) Not annualized.
(5) The ratio of net operating expenses to average net assets excludes the
effect of expense offsets for custodian fees; if expense offsets were included,
the ratio would have been 0.04% lower than the ratio shown in the table.
58 Phoenix Equity Trust
PHOENIX WORLDWIDE STRATEGIES FUND
CLASS A
----------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
2006 2005 2004 2003 2002
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 8.38 $ 7.72 $ 6.37 $ 7.03 $ 7.87
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss)(1) 0.07 0.08 0.03 0.05 0.03
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 1.51 0.68 1.41 (0.71) (0.84)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 1.58 0.76 1.44 (0.66) (0.81)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income (0.10) (0.10) (0.09) -- --
Distributions from net realized gains -- -- -- -- (0.03)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.10) (0.10) (0.09) -- (0.03)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Change in net asset value 1.48 0.66 1.35 (0.66) (0.84)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $ 9.86 $ 8.38 $ 7.72 $ 6.37 $ 7.03
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Total return(2) 18.90% 9.80% 22.65% (9.39)% (10.35)%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (thousands) $102,783 $100,469 $107,520 $98,135 $125,216
RATIO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF:
Net operating expenses 1.60% 1.57% 1.62% 1.73% 1.56%
Gross operating expenses 1.70% 1.57% 1.62% 1.73% 1.56%
Net investment income (loss) 0.76% 0.97% 0.46% 0.81% 0.39%
Portfolio turnover 124% 49% 122% 160% 99%
CLASS B
----------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
2006 2005 2004 2003 2002
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 7.65 $ 7.05 $ 5.81 $ 6.46 $ 7.29
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss)(1) --(3) 0.02 (0.02) --(3) (0.03)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 1.37 0.63 1.28 (0.65) (0.77)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 1.37 0.65 1.26 (0.65) (0.80)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income (0.04) (0.05) (0.02) -- --
Distributions from net realized gains -- -- -- -- (0.03)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.04) (0.05) (0.02) -- (0.03)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Change in net asset value 1.33 0.60 1.24 (0.65) (0.83)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $ 8.98 $ 7.65 $ 7.05 $ 5.81 $ 6.46
====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Total return(2) 17.92% 9.14% 21.78% (10.20)% (10.90)%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (thousands) $5,395 $5,096 $5,987 $6,730 $9,119
RATIO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF:
Net operating expenses 2.35% 2.32% 2.37% 2.48% 2.31%
Gross operating expenses 2.45% 2.32% 2.37% 2.48% 2.31%
Net investment income (loss) 0.01% 0.23% (0.34)% 0.04% (0.38)%
Portfolio turnover 124% 49% 122% 160% 99%
-----------------------
|
(1) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(2) Sales charges are not reflected in the total return calculation.
(3) Amount is less than $0.01.
Phoenix Equity Trust 59
CLASS C
-----------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,
2006 2005 2004 2003 2002
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net asset value, beginning of period $ 7.62 $ 7.03 $ 5.80 $ 6.45 $ 7.28
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
Net investment income (loss)(1) --(3) 0.02 (0.01) (0.01) (0.03)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) 1.37 0.62 1.27 (0.64) (0.77)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
TOTAL FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS 1.37 0.64 1.26 (0.65) (0.80)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS
Dividends from net investment income (0.04) (0.05) (0.03) -- --
Distributions from net realized gains -- -- -- -- (0.03)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS (0.04) (0.05) (0.03) -- (0.03)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Change in net asset value 1.33 0.59 1.23 (0.65) (0.83)
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
NET ASSET VALUE, END OF PERIOD $ 8.95 $ 7.62 $ 7.03 $ 5.80 $ 6.45
------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Total return(2) 17.99% 9.03% 21.66% (10.08)% (11.06)%
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
Net assets, end of period (thousands) $2,826 $2,876 $3,306 $2,407 $3,811
RATIO TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS OF:
Net operating expenses 2.35% 2.32% 2.37% 2.48% 2.31%
Gross operating expenses 2.45% 2.32% 2.37% 2.48% 2.31%
Net investment income (loss) (0.03)% 0.22% (0.18)% (0.10)% (0.39)%
Portfolio turnover 124% 49% 122% 160% 99%
----------------------
(1) Computed using average shares outstanding.
(2) Sales charges are not reflected in the total return calculation.
(3) Amount is less than $0.01.
|
60 Phoenix Equity Trust
[logo]PHOENIXFUNDS(SM)
PHOENIX EQUITY PLANNING CORPORATION
P.O. Box 150480
Hartford, CT 06115-0480
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
You can find more information about the Funds in the following documents:
ANNUAL AND SEMIANNUAL REPORTS
Annual and semiannual reports contain more information about the Funds'
investments. The annual report discusses the market conditions and investment
strategies that significantly affected the Funds' performance during the last
fiscal year.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI)
The SAI contains more detailed information about the Funds. It is incorporated
by reference and is legally part of the prospectus.
To obtain free copies of these documents, you can download copies from the Individual Investors section of our Web site, PhoenixFunds.com, or you can request copies by calling us toll-free at 1-800-243-1574.
Information about the Funds (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. For information about the operation of the Public Reference Room, call 1-202-551-8090. This information is also available on the SEC's Internet site at sec.gov. You may also obtain copies upon payment of a duplicating fee by writing the Public Reference Section of the SEC, Washington, DC 20549-6009 or by electronic request at publicinfo@sec.gov.
Mutual Fund Services: 1-800-243-1574
Text Telephone: 1-800-243-1926
NOT INSURED BY FDIC/NCUSIF OR ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY. NO BANK GUARANTEE. NOT A DEPOSIT. MAY LOSE VALUE.
Investment Company Act File No. 811-945
PXP691 10/06
PHOENIX EQUITY TRUST
PHOENIX MID-CAP VALUE FUND
PHOENIX PATHFINDER FUND
PHOENIX TOTAL VALUE FUND
PHOENIX WORLDWIDE STRATEGIES FUND
(EACH A "FUND" OR COLLECTIVELY THE "FUNDS")
101 Munson Street
Greenfield, MA 01301
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
October 31, 2006
The Statement of Additional Information ("SAI") is not a prospectus, but expands upon and supplements the information contained in the Prospectus of Phoenix Equity Trust (the "Trust") dated October 31, 2006, and should be read in conjunction with it. The SAI incorporates by reference certain information that appears in the Trust's annual and semiannual reports, which are delivered to all investors. You may obtain a free copy of the Trust's prospectus, annual or semiannual reports by visiting the Phoenix Funds Web sites at PhoenixFunds.com or PhoenixInvestments.com, by calling Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation ("PEPCO") at (800) 243-4361 or by writing to PEPCO at One American Row, P.O. Box 5056, Hartford, CT 06102-5056.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
The Trust................................................................... 1 Investment Restrictions .................................................... 1 Investment Techniques and Risks ............................................ 2 Performance Information..................................................... 10 Portfolio Turnover.......................................................... 11 Portfolio Transactions and Brokerage........................................ 12 Disclosure of Fund Holdings................................................. 13 Services of the Adviser and Subadvisers..................................... 15 Portfolio Managers.......................................................... 18 Net Asset Value ............................................................ 22 How to Buy Shares .......................................................... 23 Alternative Purchase Agreements............................................. 23 Investor Account Services .................................................. 26 How to Redeem Shares ....................................................... 28 Dividends, Distributions and Taxes ......................................... 28 Tax Sheltered Retirement Plans ............................................. 33 The Distributor ............................................................ 33 Distribution Plans.......................................................... 35 Management of the Trust..................................................... 36 Additional Information ..................................................... 44 |
Mutual Fund Services: (800) 243-1574 Adviser Consulting Group: (800) 243-4361 Telephone Orders: (800) 367-5877 Text Telephone: (800) 243-1926
PXP 691B (10/06)
THE TRUST
The Trust was originally incorporated in New York in 1956, and on January 13, 1992, the Trust was reorganized as a Massachusetts business trust under the name of "National Worldwide Opportunities Fund". It was reorganized as a Delaware statutory trust in October 2000. The Trust has operated as an open-end, diversified management investment company since May 1960. On June 30, 1993, the Trustees voted to change the name of the Trust to "Phoenix Worldwide Opportunities Fund" to reflect the purchase of the former adviser by Phoenix Life Insurance Company and the affiliation with other Phoenix Funds. On November 18, 1998, the Trustees voted to change the name of the Trust to "Phoenix-Aberdeen Worldwide Opportunities Fund." On June 28, 2004 the Trust changed its name to Phoenix Equity Trust. The Trust presently comprises four series: the Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund ("Mid-Cap Value Fund"), the Phoenix Pathfinder Fund ("Pathfinder Fund"), the Phoenix Total Value Fund ("Total Value Fund") and the Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund ("Worldwide Strategies Fund") (collectively, the "Funds").
The Funds' prospectus describes the investment objectives of the Funds and the strategies that the Funds will employ in seeking to achieve their investment objective. The Worldwide Strategies Fund's investment objective is a fundamental policy of the Fund and may not be changed without the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of that Fund. The Mid-Cap Value, Pathfinder and Total Value Funds' investment objectives are non-fundamental policies and may be changed without shareholder approval. The following discussion supplements the disclosure in the prospectus.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The following investment restrictions have been adopted by the Funds. Except as otherwise stated, these investment restrictions are "fundamental" policies. A "fundamental" policy is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the "1940 Act") to mean that the restriction cannot be changed without the vote of a "majority of the outstanding voting securities" of the Fund. A "majority of the outstanding voting securities" is defined in the 1940 Act as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities.
Each Fund may not:
(1) With respect to 75% of its total assets, purchase securities of an issuer (other than the U.S. Government, its agencies, instrumentalities or authorities or repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Government securities and other investment companies), if: (a) such purchase would, at the time, cause more than 5% of the Fund's total assets taken at market value to be invested in the securities of such issuer; or (b) such purchase would, at the time, result in more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer being held by the Fund.
(2) Purchase securities if, after giving effect to the purchase, more than 25% of its respective total assets would be invested in the securities of one or more issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry (excluding the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities).
(3) Borrow money, except (i) in amounts not to exceed one third of the value of the Fund's total assets (including the amount borrowed) from banks, and (ii) up to an additional 5% of its total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes. For purposes of this restriction, (a) investment techniques such as margin purchases, short sales, forward commitments, and roll transactions, (b) investments in instruments such as futures contracts, swaps, and options and (c) short-term credits extended in connection with trade clearance and settlement, shall not constitute borrowing.
(4) Issue "senior securities" in contravention of the 1940 Act. Activities permitted by exemptive orders or staff interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") shall not be deemed to be prohibited by this restriction.
(5) Underwrite the securities issued by other persons, except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities, the Funds may be deemed to be underwriters under applicable law.
(6) Purchase or sell real estate, except that the Funds may (i) acquire or lease office space for their own use, (ii) invest in securities of issuers that invest in real estate or interests therein, (iii) invest in mortgage-related securities and other securities that are secured by real estate or interests therein, and (iv) hold and sell real estate acquired by the Funds as a result of the ownership of securities.
(7) Purchase or sell commodities or commodity contracts, except the Funds may purchase and sell derivatives (including, but not limited to, options, futures contracts and options on futures contracts) whose value is tied to the value of a financial index or a financial instrument or other asset (including, but not limited to, securities indexes, interest rates, securities, currencies and physical commodities).
(8) Make loans, except that the Funds may (i) lend portfolio securities, (ii) enter into repurchase agreements, (iii) purchase all or a portion of an issue of debt securities, bank loan participation interests, bank certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances, debentures or other securities, whether or not the purchase is made upon the original issuance of the securities and (iv) participate in an interfund lending program with other registered investment companies.
Except with respect to investment restriction (3) above, if any percentage restriction described above for the Funds is adhered to at the time of investment, a subsequent increase or decrease in the percentage resulting from a change in the value of the Funds' assets will not constitute a violation of the restriction. With respect to investment restriction (3), in the event that asset coverage for all borrowings shall at any time fall below 300 per centum, the Fund shall, within three days thereafter (not including Sundays and holidays) or such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by rules and regulations reduce the amount of its borrowings to an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300 per centum.
INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES AND RISKS
WORLDWIDE STRATEGIES FUND
The Fund may utilize the following practices or techniques in pursuing its
investment objective.
FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
In order to hedge against adverse movements in exchange rates between
currencies, the Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts
("forward currency contracts") for the purchase or sale of a specified currency
at a specified future date. Such contracts may involve the purchase or sale of a
foreign currency against the U.S. dollar or may involve two foreign currencies.
The Fund may enter into forward currency contracts either with respect to
specific transactions or with respect to the Fund's portfolio positions.
FUTURES CONTRACTS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES AND OPTIONS ON FUTURES CONTRACTS
The Fund may engage in futures contracts on foreign currencies and options on
these futures transactions as a hedge against changes in the value of the
currencies to which the Fund is subject or to which the Fund expects to be
subject in connection with future purchases, in accordance with the rules and
regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC"). The Fund
also may engage in such transactions when they are economically appropriate for
the reduction of risks inherent in the ongoing management of the Fund.
The Fund may buy and sell futures contracts on foreign currencies and groups of foreign currencies. The Fund will engage in transactions in only those futures contracts and options thereon that are traded on a commodities exchange or a board of trade. A "sale" of a futures contract means the assumption of a contractual obligation to deliver the specified amount of foreign currency at a specified price in a specified future month. A "purchase" of a futures contract means the assumption of a contractual obligation to acquire the currency called for by the contract at a specified price in a specified future month. At the time a futures contract is purchased or sold, the Fund must allocate cash or securities as a deposit payment (initial margin). Thereafter, the futures contract is valued daily and the payment of "variation margin" may be required, resulting in the Fund's providing or receiving cash that reflects any decline or increase in the contract's value, a process known as "marking to market."
The Fund may invest in sponsored and unsponsored American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), which are receipts issued by an American bank or trust company evidencing ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign issuer. ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in U.S. securities markets. Unsponsored ADRs, may be created without the participation of the foreign issuer. Holders of these ADRs generally bear all the costs in a sponsored ADR. The bank or trust company depositary of an unsponsored ADR may be under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the foreign issuer or to pass through voting rights. The Fund may also invest in European Depositary Receipts ("EDRs"), Global Depositary Receipts ("GDRs") and in other similar instruments representing securities of foreign companies. EDRs and GDRs are securities that are typically issued by foreign banks or foreign trust companies, although U.S. banks or U.S. trust companies may issue them. EDRs and GDRs are structured similarly to the arrangements of ADRs. EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets.
Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same sort of risks as direct investments in a foreign country, such as currency risk, political and economic risk, and market risk, because their values depend on the performance of a foreign security denominated in its home currency. The risks of foreign investing are addressed in the Fund's Prospectus.
OPTIONS ON FOREIGN CURRENCIES
The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on foreign currencies
traded on securities exchanges or boards of trade (foreign and domestic) for
hedging purposes in a manner similar to that in which forward currency contracts
and futures contracts on foreign currencies will be employed. Options on foreign
currencies are similar to options on stock, except that the Fund has the right
to take or make delivery of a specified amount of foreign currency, rather than
stock.
The Fund may purchase and write options to hedge the Fund's portfolio securities denominated in foreign currencies. If there is a decline in the dollar value of a foreign currency in which the Fund's portfolio securities are denominated, the dollar value of such securities will decline even though foreign currency value remains the same. (See "Special Considerations and Risk Factors.") To hedge against the decline of the foreign currency, the Fund may purchase put options on such foreign currency. If the value of the foreign currency declines, the gain realized on the put option would offset, in whole or in part, the adverse effect such decline would have on the value of the portfolio securities. Alternatively, the Fund may write a call option on the foreign currency. If the value of the foreign currency declines, the option would not be exercised and the decline in the value of the portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency would be offset in part by the premium the Fund received for the option.
If, on the other hand, the subadviser anticipates purchasing a foreign security and also anticipates a rise in the value of such foreign currency (thereby increasing the cost of such security), the Fund may purchase call options on the foreign currency. The purchase of such options could offset, at least partially, the effects of the adverse movements of the exchange rates. Alternatively, the Fund could write a put option on the currency and, if the exchange rates move as anticipated, the option would expire unexercised.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS ("REITS")
REITs pool investors' funds for investment primarily in income-producing
commercial real estate or real estate-related loans. A REIT is not taxed on
income distributed to shareholders if it complies with several requirements
relating to its organization, ownership, assets, and income and a requirement
that it distribute to its shareholders at least 95% of its taxable income (other
than net capital gains) for each taxable year.
REITs can generally be classified as follows:
--Equity REITs, which invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive their income primarily from rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value.
--Mortgage REITs, which invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive their income primarily from interest payments.
--Hybrid REITs, which combine the characteristics of both equity REITs and mortgage REITs.
REITs are like closed-end investment companies in that they are essentially holding companies which rely on professional managers to supervise their investments. A shareholder in the Fund should realize that by investing in REITs indirectly through the Fund, he will bear not only his proportionate share of the expenses of the Fund, but also, indirectly, similar expenses of underlying REITs.
RISKS OF INVESTMENT IN REAL ESTATE SECURITIES. Selecting REITs requires an evaluation of the merits of each type of asset a particular REIT owns, as well as regional and local economics. Due to the proliferation of REITs in recent years and the relative lack of sophistication of certain REIT managers, the quality of REIT assets has varied significantly. The Fund will not invest in real estate directly, but only in securities issued by real estate companies. However, the Fund may be subject to risks similar to those associated with the direct ownership of real estate because of its policy of concentrating in the securities of companies in the real estate industry. These include declines in the value of real estate, risks related to general and local economic conditions, dependence on management skill, cash flow dependence, possible lack of availability of long-term mortgage funds, over-building, extended vacancies of properties, decreased occupancy rates and increased competition, increases in property taxes and operating expenses, changes in neighborhood values and the appeal of the properties to tenants and changes in interest rates.
In addition to these risks, equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the trusts, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. Further, equity and mortgage REITs are dependent upon management skills and generally are not diversified. Equity and mortgage REITs are also subject to potential defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibility of failing to qualify for tax-free status of income under the Code and failing to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act. In the event of a default by a borrower or lessee, the REIT may experience delays in enforcing its rights as a mortgagee or lessor and may incur substantial costs associated with protecting its investments. In addition, investment in REITs could cause the Fund to possibly fail to qualify as a regulated investment company.
SECURITIES LENDING
In order to increase its return on investments, the Fund may take loans of
its portfolio securities, as long as the market value of the loaned securities
does not exceed 33% of the market or other fair value of the Fund's net assets.
Loans of portfolio securities will always be fully collateralized by cash, U.S.
Government securities or other high quality debt securities at no less than 100%
of the market value of the loaned securities (as marked to market) daily and
made only to borrowers considered by the subadviser
to be creditworthy. Lending portfolio securities involves a risk of delay in the recovery of the loaned securities and possibly the loss of collateral if the borrower fails financially.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISK FACTORS
The Fund's use of forward currency contracts involves certain investment
risks and transaction costs to which it might not otherwise be subject. These
include: (1) the subadviser may not always be able to accurately predict
movements within currency markets, (2) the skills and techniques needed to use
forward currency contracts are different from those needed to select the
securities in which the Fund invests and (3) there is no assurance that a liquid
secondary market will exist that would enable the subadviser to "close out"
existing forward contracts when doing so is desirable. The Fund's successful use
of forward currency contracts, options on foreign currencies, futures contracts
on foreign currencies and options on such contracts depends upon the
subadviser's ability to predict the direction of the market and political
conditions, which require different skills and techniques than predicting
changes in the securities markets generally. For instance, if the value of the
securities being hedged moves in a favorable direction, the advantage to the
Fund would be wholly or partially offset by a loss in the forward contracts or
futures contracts. Further, if the value of the securities being hedged does not
change, the Fund's net income would be less than if the Fund had not hedged
since there are transaction costs associated with the use of these investment
practices.
These practices are subject to various additional risks. The correlation between movements in the price of options and futures contracts and the price of the currencies being hedged is imperfect. The use of these instruments will hedge only the currency risks associated with investments in foreign currency advances before it invests in securities denominated in such currency and the currency market declines, the Fund might incur a loss on the futures contract. The Fund's ability to establish and maintain positions will depend on market liquidity. The ability of the Fund to close out a futures position or an option depends upon a liquid secondary market. There is no assurance that liquid secondary markets will exist for any particular futures contract or option at any particular time.
MID-CAP VALUE FUND
The Fund may utilize the following practices or techniques in pursuing its
investment objective.
MORTGAGE-BACKED AND ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
The Fund may purchase residential and commercial mortgage-backed as well as
other asset-backed securities (collectively called "asset-backed securities")
that are secured or backed by automobile loans, installment sale contracts,
credit card receivables or other assets and are issued by entities such as GNMA,
FNMA, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("FHLMC"), commercial banks,
trusts, financial companies, finance subsidiaries of industrial companies,
savings and loan associations, mortgage banks and investment banks. These
securities represent interests in pools of assets in which periodic payments of
interest and/or principal on the securities are made, thus, in effect passing
through periodic payments made by the individual borrowers on the assets that
underlie the securities, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of the
securities. The average life of these securities varies with the maturities and
the prepayment experience of the underlying instruments.
There are a number of important differences among the agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that issue mortgage-backed securities and among the securities that they issue. Mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by GNMA include GNMA Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as "Ginnie Maes") which are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by GNMA and such guarantee is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States. GNMA is a wholly-owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. GNMA certificates also are supported by the authority of GNMA to borrow funds from the U.S. Treasury to make payments under its guarantee. Mortgage-backed securities issued by FNMA include FNMA Guaranteed Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates (also known as "Fannie Maes") which are solely the obligations of FNMA and are not backed by or entitled to the full faith and credit of the United States, but are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury. FNMA is a government-sponsored organization owned entirely by private shareholders. Fannie Maes are guaranteed as to timely payment of the principal and interest by FNMA. Mortgage-backed securities issued by the FHLMC include FHLMC Mortgage Participation Certificates (also known as "Freddie Macs" or "PCs"). FHLMC is a corporate instrumentality of the United States, created pursuant to an Act of Congress. Freddie Macs are not guaranteed by the United States or by any Federal Home Loan Bank and do not constitute a debt or obligation of the United States or of any Federal Home Loan Bank. Freddie Macs entitle the holder to timely payment of interest, which is guaranteed by the FHLMC. FHLMC guarantees either ultimate collection or timely payment of all principal payments on the underlying mortgage loans. When FHLMC does not guarantee timely payment of principal, FHLMC may remit the amount due on account of its guarantee of ultimate payment of principal at any time after default on an underlying mortgage, but in no event later than one year after it becomes payable.
The Fund may also purchase mortgage-backed securities structured as CMOs. CMOs are issued in multiple classes and their relative payment rights may be structured in many ways. In many cases, however, payments of principal are applied to the CMO classes in order of their respective maturities, so that no principal payments will be made on a CMO class until all other classes
having an earlier maturity date are paid in full. The classes may include accrual certificates (also known as "Z-Bonds"), which do not accrue interest at a specified rate until other specified classes have been retired and are converted thereafter to interest-paying securities. They may also include planned amortization classes ("PACs") which generally require, within certain limits, that specified amounts of principal be applied to each payment date, and generally exhibit less yield and market volatility than other classes. The classes may include "IOs" which pay distributions consisting solely or primarily for all or a portion of the interest in an underlying pool of mortgages or mortgage-backed securities. "POs" which pay distributions consisting solely or primarily of all or a portion of principal payments made from the underlying pool of mortgages or mortgage-backed securities, and "inverse floaters" which have a coupon rate that moves in the reverse direction to an applicable index.
Investments in CMO certificates can expose the Fund to greater volatility and interest rate risk than other types of mortgage-backed obligations. Among tranches of CMOs, inverse floaters are typically more volatile than fixed or adjustable rate tranches of CMOs. Investments in inverse floaters could protect the Fund against a reduction in income due to a decline in interest rates. The Fund would be adversely affected by the purchase of an inverse floater in the event of an increase in interest rates because the coupon rate thereon will decrease as interest rates increase, and like other mortgage-backed securities, the value of an inverse floater will decrease as interest rates increase. The cash flows and yields on IO and PO classes are extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the related underlying pool of mortgage loans or mortgage-backed securities. For example, a rapid or slow rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on the yield to maturity of IOs or POs, respectively. If the underlying assets experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the holder of an IO may incur substantial losses irrespective of its rating. Conversely, if the underlying assets experience slower than anticipated prepayments of principal, the yield and market value for the holders of a PO will be affected more severely than would be the case with a traditional mortgage-backed security. Prepayments on mortgage-backed securities generally increase with falling interest rates and decrease with rising interest rates. Prepayments are also influenced by a variety of other economic and social factors.
The yield characteristics of asset-backed securities differ from traditional debt securities. A major difference is that the principal amount of the obligations may be prepaid at any time because the underlying assets (i.e., loans) generally may be prepaid at any time. As a result, if an asset-backed security is purchased at a premium, a prepayment rate that is faster than expected may reduce yield to maturity, while a prepayment rate that is slower than expected may have the opposite effect of increasing yield to maturity. Conversely, if an asset-backed security is purchased at a discount, faster than expected prepayments may increase, while slower than expected prepayments may decrease, yield to maturity.
In general, the collateral supporting non-mortgage asset-backed securities are of shorter maturity than mortgage loans. Like other fixed income securities, when interest rates rise the value for an asset-backed security generally will decline; however, when interest rates decline, the value of an asset-backed security with prepayment features may not increase as much as that of other fixed income securities.
Asset-backed securities may involve certain risks that are not presented by mortgage-backed securities. These risks arise primarily from the nature of the underlying assets (i.e., credit card and automobile loan receivables as opposed to real estate mortgages). Non-mortgage asset-backed securities do not have the benefit of the same security interest in the collateral as mortgage-backed securities. Credit card receivables are generally unsecured and the debtors are entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws, many of which have given debtors the right to reduce the balance due on the credit cards. Most issuers of automobile receivables permit the servicers to retain possession of the underlying obligations. If the servicer were to sell these obligations to another party, there is the risk that the purchaser would acquire an interest superior to that of the holders of related automobile receivables. In addition, because of the large number of vehicles involved in a typical issuance and technical requirements under state laws, the trustee for the holders of the automobile receivables may not have an effective security interest in all of the obligations backing such receivables. Therefore, there is a possibility that payments on the receivables together with recoveries on repossessed collateral may not, in some cases, be able to support payments on these securities.
Asset-backed securities may be subject to greater risk of default during periods of economic downturn than other instruments. Also, while the secondary market for asset-backed securities is ordinarily quite liquid, in times of financial stress the secondary market may not be as liquid as the market for other types of securities, which could cause a Fund to experience difficulty in valuing or liquidating such securities.
ALL FUNDS
CONVERTIBLE LOW-RATED SECURITIES
Each of the Funds may also invest in convertible securities (debt securities
or preferred stocks of corporations which are convertible into or exchangeable
for common stocks). A Fund's adviser or subadviser, as the case may be, will
select only those convertible securities for which it believes (a) the
underlying common stock is a suitable investment for the Fund and (b) a
greater potential for total return exists by purchasing the convertible security because of its higher yield and/or favorable market valuation. Each of the Funds may invest in convertible debt securities rated less than investment grade. Debt securities rated less than investment grade are commonly referred to as "junk bonds."
Corporate obligations rated less than investment grade (hereinafter referred to as "low-rated securities") are commonly referred to as "junk bonds," and while generally offering higher yields than investment grade securities with similar maturities, involve greater risks, including the possibility of default or bankruptcy. They are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuer's capacity to pay interest and repay principal. The special risk considerations in connection with investments in low-rated securities are discussed below.
EFFECT OF INTEREST RATES AND ECONOMIC CHANGES. Interest-bearing securities typically experience appreciation when interest rates decline and depreciation when interest rates rise. The market values of low-rated securities tend to reflect individual corporate developments to a greater extent than do higher-rated securities, which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates. Low-rated securities also tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than higher-rated securities. As a result, they generally involve more credit risks than securities in the higher-rated categories. During an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates, highly leveraged issuers of low-rated securities may experience financial stress and may not have sufficient revenues to meet their payment obligations. The issuer's ability to service its debt obligations may also be adversely affected by specific corporate developments, the issuer's inability to meet specific projected business forecasts or the unavailability of additional financing. The risk of loss due to default by an issuer of low-rated securities is significantly greater than issuers of higher-rated securities because such securities are generally unsecured and are often subordinated to other creditors. Further, if the issuer of a low-rated security defaulted, the applicable Fund might incur additional expenses in seeking recovery. Periods of economic uncertainty and changes would also generally result in increased volatility in the market prices of low-rated securities and thus in the applicable Fund's net asset value.
As previously stated, the value of a low-rated security generally will decrease in a rising interest rate market, and accordingly, so normally will the applicable Fund's net asset value. If the Fund experiences unexpected net redemptions in such a market, it may be forced to liquidate a portion of its portfolio securities without regard to their investment merits. Due to the limited liquidity of low-rated securities (discussed below), the Fund may be forced to liquidate these securities at a substantial discount. Any such liquidation would reduce the Fund's asset base over which expenses could be allocated and could result in a reduced rate of return for the Fund.
PAYMENT EXPECTATIONS. Low-rated securities typically contain redemption, call or prepayment provisions which permit the issuer of such securities containing such provisions to, at their discretion, redeem the securities. During periods of falling interest rates, issuers of low-rated securities are likely to redeem or prepay the securities and refinance them with debt securities with a lower interest rate. To the extent an issuer is able to refinance the securities or otherwise redeem them, the applicable Fund may have to replace the securities with a lower yielding security which would result in lower returns for the Fund.
CREDIT RATINGS. Credit ratings issued by credit rating agencies evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments of rated securities. They do not, however, evaluate the market value risk of low-rated securities and therefore may not fully reflect the true risks of an investment. In addition, credit rating agencies may or may not make timely changes in a rating to reflect changes in the economy or in the condition of the issuer that affect the market value of the security. Consequently, credit ratings are used only as a preliminary indicator of investment quality.
LIQUIDITY AND VALUATION. A Fund may have difficulty disposing of certain low-rated securities because there may be a thin trading market for such securities. Because not all dealers maintain markets in all low-rated securities, there is no established retail secondary market for many of these securities. The Funds anticipate that such securities could be sold only to a limited number of dealers or institutional investors. To the extent a secondary trading market does exist, it is generally not as liquid as the secondary market for higher-rated securities. The lack of a liquid secondary market may have an adverse impact on the market price of the security, and accordingly, the net asset value of a particular Fund and its ability to dispose of particular securities when necessary to meet its liquidity needs, or in response to a specific economic event, or an event such as a deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer. The lack of a liquid secondary market for certain securities may also make it more difficult for a Fund to obtain accurate market quotations for purposes of valuing its respective portfolio. Market quotations are generally available on many low-rated issues only from a limited number of dealers and may not necessarily represent firm bids of such dealers or prices for actual sales. During periods of thin trading, the spread between bid and asked prices is likely to increase significantly. In addition, adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the values and liquidity of low-rated securities, especially in a thinly-traded market.
FOREIGN SECURITIES
The Worldwide Strategies Fund invests a significant amount of its assets in
foreign securities. Each of the other Funds may invest in foreign securities.
Such investments may involve risks which are in addition to the usual risks
inherent in domestic
investments. The value of a Fund's foreign investments may be significantly affected by changes in currency exchange rates, and a Fund may incur costs in converting securities denominated in foreign currencies to U.S. dollars. In many countries, there is less publicly available information about issuers than is available in the reports and ratings published about companies in the United States. Additionally, foreign companies may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards. Dividends and interest on foreign securities may be subject to foreign withholding taxes, which would reduce a Fund's income without providing a tax credit for a Fund's shareholders. There is the possibility of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, currency blockage or political or social instability which could affect investments in those nations. Foreign securities include sponsored and unsponsored American Depository Receipts ("ADRs"). ADRs typically are issued by a U.S. bank or trust company and evidence ownership of underlying securities issued by a foreign corporation. Unsponsored ADRs differ from sponsored ADRs in that the establishment of unsponsored ADRs are not approved by the issuer of the underlying securities. As a result, available information concerning the issuer may not be as current or reliable as the information for sponsored ADRs, and the price of unsponsored ADRs may be more volatile.
GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
Each of the Funds may invest in a variety of U.S. Treasury obligations,
including bills, notes and bonds. These obligations differ only in terms of
their interest rates, maturities and time of issuance. The Funds may also invest
in other securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies
and instrumentalities.
Obligations of certain agencies and instrumentalities, such as the Government National Mortgage Association ("GNMA"), are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury. Others, such as those of the Export-Import Bank of the United States, are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the Treasury; and others, such as those of the Federal National Mortgage Association ("FNMA"), are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. government to purchase the agency's obligations; still others, such as those of the Student Loan Marketing Association are supported only by the credit of the agency or instrumentality that issues them. There is no guarantee that the U.S. Government will provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities, now or in the future, if it is not obligated to do so by law.
HEDGING INSTRUMENTS
Each Fund may purchase put and call options on equity securities and on stock
indices and write covered call options on equity securities owned by the Fund.
Generally the foregoing investments will be effected during periods of
anticipated market weakness and, in any event, will not result in leveraging of
the applicable Fund's portfolio.
PURCHASING PUT AND CALL OPTIONS. By purchasing a put option, a Fund obtains the right (but not the obligation) to sell the option's underlying instrument at a fixed strike price. In return for this right, the Fund pays the current market price for the option (known as the option premium). The Funds may purchase options on equity securities and on stock indices. A Fund may terminate its position in a put option it has purchased by allowing it to expire or by exercising the option. If the option is allowed to expire, the Fund will lose the entire premium it paid. If a Fund exercises the option, it completes the sale of the underlying instrument at the strike price. Such Fund may also terminate a put option position by closing it out in the secondary market at its current price, if a liquid secondary market exists. The buyer of a put option can expect to realize a gain if security prices fall substantially. However, if the underlying instrument's price does not fall enough to offset the cost of purchasing the option, a put buyer can expect to suffer a loss (limited to the amount of the premium paid, plus related transaction costs).
The features of call options are essentially the same as those of put options, except that the purchaser of a call option obtains the right to purchase, rather than sell, the underlying instrument at the option's strike price. A call buyer attempts to participate in potential price increases of the underlying instrument with risk limited to the cost of the option if security prices fall. At the same time, the buyer can expect to suffer a loss if security prices do not rise sufficiently to offset the cost of the option. Only exchange listed options will be acquired.
STOCK INDEX OPTIONS. Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indexes. In most respects, they are identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options and index options occurs when index options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than, in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock index options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 or the Value Line Composite Index, or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor's 100. Indexes also may be based on an industry or market segment, such as the AMEX Oil and Gas Index or the Computer and Business Equipment Index. Options on stock indexes are
currently traded on the following exchanges: the Chicago Board Options Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Pacific Stock Exchange, and the Philadelphia Stock Exchange.
WRITING CALL OPTIONS. When a Fund writes a call option, it receives a premium and agrees to sell the related investments to a purchaser of the call during the call period (usually not more than nine months) at a fixed exercise price (which may differ from the market price of the related investments) regardless of market price changes during the call period. If the call is exercised, the Fund forgoes any gain from an increase in the market price over the exercise price.
To terminate its obligations on a call which it has written, a Fund may purchase a call in a "closing purchase transaction." (As discussed above, the Funds may also purchase calls other than as part of such closing transactions.) A profit or loss will be realized depending on the amount of option transaction costs and whether the premium previously received is more or less than the price of the call purchased. A profit may also be realized if the call lapses unexercised, because the Fund retains the premium received. Any such profits are considered short-term gains for federal income tax purposes and, when distributed, are taxable as ordinary income.
Writing calls generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall. Through receipt of the option premium, a call writer mitigates the effects of a price decline. At the same time, because a call writer must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument in return for the strike price, even if its current value is greater, a call writer gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
COMBINED OPTION POSITIONS. The Funds may purchase and write options (subject to the limitations discussed above) in combination with each other to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the overall position. For example, a Fund may purchase a put option and write a call option on the same underlying instrument, in order to construct a combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to selling a futures contract. Another possible combined position would involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call option at a lower price, in order to reduce the risk of the written call option in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options involve multiple trades, they result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
CORRELATION OF PRICE CHANGES. Because there are a limited number of types of exchange-traded options and futures contracts, it is likely that the standardized contracts available will not match the applicable Fund's current or anticipated investments. The Funds may invest in options based on securities which differ from the securities in which it typically invests. This involves a risk that the options will not track the performance of the Fund's investments.
Options and futures prices can also diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match the applicable Fund's investments well. Options and future prices are affected by such factors as current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in volatility of the underlying instrument, and the time remaining until expiration of the contract, which may not affect security prices the same way. Imperfect correlation may also result from differing levels of demand in the options and futures markets and the securities markets, from structural differences in how options and futures and securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or trading halts. The Funds may purchase or sell options with a greater or less value than the securities it wishes to hedge or intends to purchase in order to attempt to compensate for differences in historical volatility between the contract and the securities, although this may not be successful in all cases. If price changes in the applicable Fund's options are poorly correlated with its other investments, the positions may fail to produce anticipated gains or result in losses that are not offset by gains in other investments. Successful use of these techniques requires skills different from those needed to select portfolio securities.
LIQUIDITY OF OPTIONS. There is no assurance a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option at any particular time. Options may have relatively low trading volume and liquidity if their strike prices are not close to the underlying instruments' current price. In addition, exchanges may establish daily price fluctuation limits for options, and may halt trading if an option's price moves upward or downward more than the limit in a given day. On volatile trading days when the price fluctuation limit is reached or a trading halt is imposed, it may be impossible for a Fund to enter into new positions or close out existing positions. If the secondary market for an option is not liquid because of price fluctuation limits or otherwise, it could prevent prompt liquidation of unfavorable positions, and potentially could require the applicable Fund to continue to hold a position until delivery or expiration regardless of changes in its value. As a result, such Fund's access to other assets held to cover its options could also be impaired.
ASSET COVERAGE FOR OPTIONS. The Funds will comply with guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to coverage of options strategies by mutual funds, and if the guidelines so require will set aside cash or liquid securities in the amounts prescribed. Securities so set aside cannot be sold while the option strategy is outstanding, unless they are replaced with other suitable assets. As a result, there is a possibility that setting aside of a portion of the applicable Fund's assets could impede portfolio management or such Fund's ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
SPECIAL RISKS OF HEDGING AND INCOME ENHANCEMENT STRATEGIES. Participation in the options markets involves investment risks and transactions costs to which the Funds would not be subject absent the use of these strategies. If the applicable Fund's portfolio manager(s)' prediction of movements in the direction of the securities and interest rate markets are inaccurate, the adverse consequences to such Fund may leave such Fund in a worse position than if such strategies were not used.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
Each Fund may invest in securities for which there is no readily available
market ("illiquid securities"), including certain securities whose disposition
would be subject to legal restrictions ("restricted securities"). However,
certain restricted securities that may be resold pursuant to Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be considered liquid. The Board of Trustees of the
Trust has delegated to the adviser the day-to-day determination of the liquidity
of a security although it has retained oversight and ultimate responsibility for
such determinations. Although no definite quality criteria are used, the Board
of Trustees has directed the adviser to consider such factors as (i) the nature
of the market for a security (including the institutional private resale
markets); (ii) the terms of these securities or other instruments allowing for
the disposition to a third party or the issuer thereof (e.g. certain repurchase
obligations and demand instruments); (iii) and availability of market
quotations; and (iv) other permissible factors.
Restricted securities may be sold in privately negotiated or other exempt transactions or in a public offering with respect to which a registration statement is in effect under the Securities Act. When registration is required, a Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expenses and a considerable time may elapse between the decision to sell and the sale date. If, during such period, adverse market conditions were to develop, the Fund might obtain a less favorable price than the price which prevailed when it decided to sell. Restricted securities will be priced at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of Trustees.
INVESTMENT GRADE INVESTMENTS
Each of the Funds may invest in U.S. government securities and publicly
distributed corporate bonds and debentures to generate possible capital gains at
those times when its adviser or subadviser, as the case may be, believes such
securities offer opportunities for long-term growth of capital, such as during
periods of declining interest rates when the market value of such securities
generally rises. The Funds will limit their investments in non-convertible bonds
and debentures to those which have been assigned one of the three highest
ratings of either Standard & Poor's Corporation (AAA, AA and A) or Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. (Aaa, Aa and A). In the event a bond or debenture is
downgraded after investment, the Fund may retain such security unless it is
rated less than investment grade (i.e., less than BBB by Standard & Poor's or
Baa by Moody's). If a non-convertible bond or debenture is downgraded below
investment grade, a Fund will promptly dispose of such bond or debenture, unless
its adviser or subadviser, as the case may be, believes it disadvantageous to
the Fund to do so.
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS
Each of the Funds may invest in cash and money market securities. The Funds
may do so when taking a temporary defensive position or to have assets available
to pay expenses, satisfy redemption requests or take advantage of investment
opportunities. The money market securities in which they invest include U.S.
Treasury Bills, commercial paper, commercial paper master notes and repurchase
agreements.
The Funds may invest in commercial paper or commercial paper master notes rated, at the time of purchase, within the highest rating category by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO). Commercial paper master notes are demand instruments without a fixed maturity bearing interest at rates that are fixed to known lending rates and automatically adjusted when such lending rates change.
The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements with banks that are Federal Reserve Member banks and non-bank dealers of U.S. government securities which, at the time of purchase, are on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's list of primary dealers with a capital base greater than $100 million. When entering into repurchase agreements, a Fund will hold as collateral an amount of cash or government securities at least equal to the market value of the securities that are part of the repurchase agreement. A repurchase agreement involves the risk that a seller may declare bankruptcy or default. In such event a Fund may experience delays, increased costs and a possible loss.
MUTUAL FUND INVESTING
The Funds are authorized to invest in the securities of other investment
companies subject to the limitations contained in the 1940 Act. Particularly in
the case of Worldwide Strategies Fund, in certain countries, investments by the
Funds may only be made through investments in other investment companies that,
in turn, are authorized to invest in the securities that are issued in such
countries. Investors should recognize that the Funds' purchase of the securities
of such other investment companies results in the layering of expenses such that
investors indirectly bear a proportionate part of the expenses for such
investment companies including operating costs and investment advisory and
administrative fees.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Funds do not trade actively for short-term profits. However, if the
objectives of the Funds would be better served, short-term profits or losses may
be realized from time to time. The annual portfolio turnover rate indicates
changes in a Fund's portfolio and is calculated by dividing the lesser of
purchases or sales of portfolio securities (excluding securities having
maturities at acquisition of one year or less) for the fiscal year by the
monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities (excluding securities
having maturities at acquisition of one year or less) owned by the Fund during
the fiscal year. The annual portfolio turnover rate may vary widely from year to
year depending upon market conditions and prospects. Increased portfolio
turnover necessarily results in correspondingly heavier transaction costs (such
as brokerage commissions or mark-ups or mark-downs) which the Fund must pay and
increased realized gains (or losses) to investors. Distributions to shareholders
of realized gains, to the extent that they consist of net short-term capital
gains, will be considered ordinary income for federal income tax purposes.
PREFERRED STOCKS
Each of the Funds may invest in preferred stocks. Preferred stocks have a
preference over common stocks in liquidation (and generally dividends as well)
but are subordinated to the liabilities of the issuer in all respects. As a
general rule, the market value of preferred stocks with a fixed dividend rate
and no conversion element varies inversely with interest rates and perceived
credit risks while the market price of convertible preferred stock generally
also reflects some element of conversion value. Because preferred stock is
junior to debt securities and other obligations of the issuer, deterioration in
the credit quality of the issuer will cause greater changes in the value of a
preferred stock than in a more senior debt security with similarly stated yield
characteristics. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, preferred stock
dividends are payable only if declared by the issuer's board of directors.
Preferred stock also may be subject to optional or mandatory redemption
provisions.
WARRANTS AND RIGHTS
Each Fund may invest in warrants or rights, valued at the lower of cost or
market, which entitle the holder to buy securities during a specific period of
time. A Fund will make such investments only if the underlying securities are
deemed appropriate by the Fund's portfolio manager(s) for inclusion in that
Fund's portfolio. Included are warrants and rights whose underlying securities
are not traded on principal domestic or foreign exchanges. Warrants and rights
acquired by a Fund in units or attached to securities are not subject to these
restrictions.
WHEN-ISSUED AND DELAYED-DELIVERY TRANSACTIONS
Each of the Funds may purchase securities on a when-issued or
delayed-delivery basis. When such a transaction is negotiated, the purchase
price is fixed at the time the purchase commitment is made, but delivery of and
payment for the securities takes place at a later date. A Fund will not accrue
income with respect to securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery
basis prior to their stated delivery date. Pending delivery of the securities,
each Fund will maintain cash or liquid securities in an amount sufficient to
meet its purchase commitments. The purpose and effect of such maintenance is to
prevent the Fund from gaining investment leverage from such transactions. The
purchase of securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis exposes the
Fund to risk because the securities may decrease in value prior to delivery. The
Funds will engage in when-issued and delayed-delivery transactions only for the
purpose of acquiring portfolio securities consistent with their investment
objectives and not for the purpose of investment leverage. A seller's failure to
deliver securities to a Fund could prevent the Fund from realizing a price or
yield considered to be advantageous.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Performance information for the Funds (and any class of the Funds) may be included in advertisements, sales literature or reports to shareholders or prospective investors. Performance information in advertisements and sales literature may be expressed as a yield of a class of shares and as a total return of a class of shares.
Performance information for the Funds (and any class of the Funds) may be included in $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the period). All total return figures reflect the deduction of a proportional share of each class's expenses (on an annual basis), deduction of the maximum initial sales load in the case of Class A Shares and the maximum contingent deferred sales charge applicable to a complete redemption of the investment in the case of Class B Shares and Class C Shares, and assume that all dividends and distributions on Class A Shares, Class B Shares, and Class C Shares are reinvested when paid.
The Funds may from time to time include in advertisements containing total return the ranking of those performance figures relative to such figures for groups of mutual funds having similar investment objectives as categorized by ranking services such as Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., CDA Investment Technologies, Inc., Weisenberger Financial Services, Inc. and Morningstar, Inc. Additionally, each Fund may compare its performance results to other investment or savings vehicles (such as certificates of deposit) and may refer to results published in various publications such as Changing Times, Forbes, Fortune, Money, Barrons, Business Week and Investor's Daily, Stanger's Mutual Fund Monitor, The Stanger Register, Stanger's Investment Adviser, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Consumer Reports, Registered Representative, Financial
Planning, Financial Services Weekly, Financial World, US. News and World Report, Standard & Poor's The Outlook, and Personal Investor. The Funds may from time to time illustrate the benefits of tax deferral by comparing taxable investments to investments made through tax-deferred retirement plans. The total return may also be used to compare the performance of each Fund against certain widely acknowledged outside standards or indices for stock and bond market performance, such as the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (the "S&P 500 Index"), Dow Jones Industrial Average, Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index, Dow Jones Wilshire Real Estate Securities Index (Full Cap), Russell Mid Cap Growth Index, Europe Australia Far East Index (EAFE), Consumer Price Index, Lehman Brothers Corporate Index, and the Lehman Brothers T-Bond Index.
Advertisements, sales literature and other communications may contain information about the Funds and advisers' current investment strategies and management style. Current strategies and style may change to allow the Funds to respond quickly to changing market and economic conditions. From time to time the Funds may include specific portfolio holdings or industries in such communications. To illustrate components of overall performance, each Fund may separate its cumulative and average annual returns into income and capital gains components.
Performance information reflects only the performance of a hypothetical investment in each class during the particular time period on which the calculations are based. Performance information should be considered in light of a Fund's investment objectives and policies, characteristics and quality of the portfolio, and the market condition during the given time period, and should not be considered as a representation of what may be achieved in the future.
TOTAL RETURN
Standardized quotations of average annual total return for Class A Shares,
Class B Shares or Class C Shares will be expressed in terms of the average
annual compounded rate of return for a hypothetical investment in either Class A
Shares, Class B Shares or Class C Shares over periods of 1, 5 and 10 years or up
to the life of the class of shares), calculated for each class separately
pursuant to the following formula: P((1+T)(n)) = ERV (where P = a hypothetical
initial payment of $1,000, T = the average annual total return, n = the number
of years, and ERV = the ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment
made at the beginning of the period). All total return figures reflect the
deduction of a proportional share of each class's expenses (on an annual basis),
deduction of the maximum initial sales load in the case of Class A Shares and
the maximum contingent deferred sales charge applicable to a complete redemption
of the investment in the case of Class B Shares and Class C Shares, and assume
that all dividends and distributions on Class A Shares, Class B Shares and Class
C Shares are reinvested when paid.
For average "after-tax" total return, the SEC rules mandate several assumptions, including that the calculations use the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates at the time of reinvestment, and that the calculations do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. These returns, for instance, assume that an investor has sufficient capital gains of the same character from other investments to offset any capital losses from the redemption. As a result, returns after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares may exceed returns after taxes on distributions (but before sale of Fund shares). These returns are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements.
The Funds may also compute cumulative total return for specified periods based on a hypothetical Class A, Class B or Class C account with an assumed initial investment of $10,000. The cumulative total return is determined by dividing the net asset value of this account at the end of the specified period by the value of the initial investment and is expressed as a percentage. Calculation of cumulative total return reflects payment of the Class A Share's maximum sales charge of 5.75% and assumes reinvestment of all income dividends and capital gain distributions during the period.
The Funds also may quote annual, average annual and annualized total return and cumulative total return performance data, for any class of shares of the Funds, both as a percentage and as a dollar amount based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment for various periods other than those noted above. Such data will be computed as described above, except that (1) the rates of return calculated will not be average annual rates, but rather, actual annual, annualized or cumulative rates of return and (2) the maximum applicable sales charge will not be included with respect to annual, annualized or cumulative rates of return calculations.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Portfolio turnover is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio securities during the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of a Fund's securities (excluding from the computation all securities, including options, with maturities at the time of acquisition of one year or less). A high rate of portfolio turnover generally involves correspondingly greater brokerage commission expenses, which must be borne directly by the Fund. Turnover rates may vary greatly from year to year as well as within a particular year and may also be affected by cash requirements for redemptions of Fund shares and by requirements which enable the Fund to receive certain favorable tax treatment (see "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes"
of this SAI). Historical annual rates of portfolio turnover for the Funds are set forth in the prospectus under the heading "Financial Highlights."
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS AND BROKERAGE
The adviser or subadviser, as appropriate, (throughout this section, "adviser"), places orders for the purchase and sale of securities, supervises their execution and negotiates brokerage commissions on behalf of the Funds. It is the practice of the adviser to seek the best prices and execution of orders and to negotiate brokerage commissions which in its opinion are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage services provided by the executing broker. Brokers who have executed orders for the Funds are asked to quote a fair commission for their services. If the execution is satisfactory and if the requested rate approximates rates currently being quoted by the other brokers selected by the adviser, the rate is deemed by the adviser to be reasonable. Brokers may ask for higher rates of commission if all or a portion of the securities involved in the transaction are positioned by the broker, if the broker believes it has brought the Funds an unusually favorable trading opportunity, or if the broker regards its research services as being of exceptional value. Payment of such commissions is authorized by the adviser after the transaction has been consummated. If the adviser more than occasionally differs with the broker's appraisal of opportunity or value, the broker would not be selected to execute trades in the future.
The adviser and subadvisers believe that the Funds benefit with a securities industry comprised of many diverse firms and that the long-term interests of shareholders of the Funds are best served by their brokerage policies which include paying a fair commission rather than seeking to exploit their leverage to force the lowest possible commission rate. The primary factors considered in determining the firms to which brokerage orders are given are the adviser's appraisal of: the firm's ability to execute the order in the desired manner, the value of research services provided by the firm, and the firm's attitudes toward and interest in mutual funds in general. The adviser does not offer or promise to any broker an amount or percentage of brokerage commissions as an inducement or reward for the sale of shares of the Funds. Over-the-counter purchases and sales are transacted directly with principal market-makers except in those circumstances where, in the opinion of the adviser, better prices and executions are available elsewhere. In the over-the-counter market, securities are usually traded on a "net" basis with dealers acting as principal for their own accounts without a stated commission, although the price of the security usually contains a profit to the dealer. The Funds also expect that securities will be purchased at times in underwritten offerings where the price includes a fixed amount of compensation, usually referred to as the underwriter's concession or discount. The foregoing discussion does not relate to transactions effected on foreign securities exchanges which do not permit the negotiation of brokerage commissions and where the adviser would, under the circumstances, seek to obtain best price and execution on orders for the Funds.
In general terms, the nature of research services provided by brokers encompasses statistical and background information, and forecasts and interpretations with respect to U.S. and foreign economies, U.S. and foreign money markets, fixed income markets and equity markets, specific industry groups, and individual issues. Research services will vary from firm to firm, with broadest coverage generally from the large full-line firms. Smaller firms in general tend to provide information and interpretations on a smaller scale, frequently with a regional emphasis. In addition, several firms monitor federal, state, local, and foreign political developments. Many of the brokers also provide access to outside consultants. The outside research assistance is particularly useful to the adviser's staff since the brokers, as a group, tend to monitor a broader universe of securities and other matters than the adviser's staff can follow. In addition, it provides the adviser with a diverse perspective on financial markets. Research and investment information is provided by these and other brokers at no cost to the adviser and is available for the benefit of other accounts advised by the adviser and its affiliates and not all of the information will be used in connection with the Funds. While this information may be useful in varying degrees and may tend to reduce the adviser's expenses, it is not possible to estimate its value and in the opinion of the adviser it does not reduce the adviser's expenses in a determinable amount. The extent to which the adviser makes use of statistical, research and other services furnished by brokers is considered by the adviser in the allocation of brokerage business but there is no formula by which such business is allocated. The adviser does so in accordance with its judgment of the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders.
The Trust has implemented, and the Board of Trustees has approved, policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent (i) the adviser's and/or subadviser's personnel responsible for the selection of broker-dealers to effect fund portfolio securities transactions from taking into account, in making those decisions, broker-dealer's promotion or sales efforts, and (ii) the Trust, its adviser, and distributor from entering into any agreement or other understanding under which the Funds direct brokerage transactions or revenue generated by those transactions to a broker-dealer to pay for distribution of fund shares. These policies and procedures are designed to prevent the Trust from entering into informal arrangements to direct portfolio securities transactions to a particular broker.
The Funds have adopted a policy and procedures governing the execution of aggregated advisory client orders ("bunching procedures") in an attempt to lower commission costs on a per-share and per-dollar basis. According to the bunching
procedures, the adviser shall aggregate transactions unless it believes in its sole discretion that such aggregation is inconsistent with its duty to seek best execution (which shall include the duty to seek best price) for the Funds. No advisory account of the adviser is to be favored over any other account and each account that participates in an aggregated order is expected to participate at the average share price for all transactions of the adviser in that security on a given business day, with all transaction costs shared pro rata based on the Funds' participation in the transaction. If the aggregated order is filled in its entirety, it shall be allocated among the adviser's accounts in accordance with the allocation order, and if the order is partially filled, it shall be allocated pro rata based on the allocation order. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the order may be allocated on a basis different from that specified in the allocation order if all accounts of the adviser whose orders are allocated receive fair and equitable treatment and the reason for such different allocation is explained in writing and is approved in writing by the adviser's compliance officer as soon as practicable after the opening of the markets on the trading day following the day on which the order is executed. If an aggregated order is partially filled and allocated on a basis different from that specified in the allocation order, no account that is benefited by such different allocation may intentionally and knowingly effect any purchase or sale for a reasonable period following the execution of the aggregated order that would result in it receiving or selling more shares than the amount of shares it would have received or sold had the aggregated order been completely filled. The Trustees will annually review these procedures or as frequently as they deem appropriate.
For the fiscal years ended June 30, 2004, 2005 and 2006, brokerage commissions paid by the Trust on portfolio transactions totaled $509,724, $480,229 and $717,630, respectively. In the fiscal years ended June 30, 2004, 2005 and 2006, the Funds paid brokerage commissions of $10,433, $0 and $0, respectively, to PXP Securities Corp., an affiliate of its Distributor. Brokerage commissions of $263,241 paid during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, were paid on portfolio transactions aggregating $119,388,374 executed by brokers who provided research and other statistical information.
DISCLOSURE OF FUND HOLDINGS
The Trustees of the Trust have adopted policies with respect to the disclosure of the Funds' portfolio holdings by the Funds, Phoenix (generally, the Funds' investment adviser), or their affiliates. These policies provide that the Funds' portfolio holdings information generally may not be disclosed to any party prior to the information becoming public. Certain limited exceptions are described below. Additionally, the Funds' policies prohibit Phoenix and the Funds' other service providers from entering into any agreement to disclose Fund portfolio holdings in exchange for any form of compensation or consideration. These policies apply to disclosures to all categories of persons, including individual investors, institutional investors, intermediaries who sell shares of the Fund, third parties providing services to the Funds (accounting agent, print vendors, etc.), rating and ranking organizations (Lipper, Morningstar, etc.) and affiliated persons of the Funds.
The Board of Trustees has delegated to the Holdings Disclosure Committee (the "HDC") the authority to make decisions regarding requests for information on portfolio holdings prior to public disclosure. The HDC will authorize the disclosure of portfolio holdings only if it determines such disclosure to be in the best interests of Fund shareholders. The HDC is composed of the Funds' Compliance Officer, and officers of the Funds' advisers and principal underwriter representing the areas of portfolio management, fund control, institutional marketing, retail marketing, and distribution.
The Funds' Compliance Officer is responsible for monitoring the use of portfolio holdings information, for the Funds' compliance with these policies and for providing regular reports (at least quarterly) to the Board of Trustees regarding their compliance, including information with respect to any potential conflicts of interest between the interests of Fund shareholders and those of Phoenix and its affiliates identified during the reporting period and how such conflicts were resolved.
PUBLIC DISCLOSURES
In accordance with rules established by the SEC, each Fund sends semiannual
and annual reports to shareholders that contain a full listing of portfolio
holdings as of the second and fourth fiscal quarters, respectively, within 60
days of quarter end. The Funds also disclose complete portfolio holdings as of
the end of the first and third fiscal quarters on Form N-Q, which is filed with
the SEC within 60 days of quarter end. The Fund's shareholder reports are
available on Phoenix's Web sites at www.PhoenixFunds.com or
www.PhoenixInvestments.com. Additionally, each Fund provides its top 10 holdings
and summary composition data derived from portfolio holdings information on
Phoenix's Web sites. This information is posted to the Web sites at the
end of each month with respect to the top 10 holdings, and at the end of the
quarter with respect to the summary composition information, generally within 10
business days. This information will be available on the Web sites until full
portfolio holdings information becomes publicly available as described above.
The Funds also provide publicly available portfolio holdings information
directly to ratings agencies, the frequency and timing of which is determined
under the terms of the contractual arrangements with such agencies.
OTHER DISCLOSURES
The HDC may authorize the disclosure of non-public portfolio holdings
information under certain limited circumstances. The Funds' policies provide
that non-public disclosures of a Fund's portfolio holdings may only be made if
(i) the Fund has a legitimate business purpose for making such disclosure and
(ii) the party receiving the non-public information enters into a
confidentiality agreement, which includes a duty not to trade on the non-public
information. The HDC will consider any actual or potential conflicts of interest
between Phoenix and its mutual fund shareholders and will act in the
best interest of the Funds' shareholders with respect to any such disclosure of
portfolio holdings information. If a potential conflict can be resolved in a
manner that does not present detrimental effects to Fund shareholders, the HDC
may authorize release of portfolio holdings information. Conversely, if the
potential conflict cannot be resolved in a manner that does not present
detrimental effects to Fund shareholders, the HDC will not authorize such
release.
ONGOING ARRANGEMENTS TO DISCLOSE PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
As previously authorized by the Funds' Board of Trustees and/or the Fund's
executive officers, the Funds periodically disclose non-public portfolio
holdings on a confidential basis to various service providers that require such
information in order to assist the Funds in their day-to-day operations, as well
as public information to certain ratings organizations. In addition to Phoenix
and its affiliates, these entities are described in the following table. The
table also includes information as to the timing of these entities receiving the
portfolio holdings information from the Funds.
NON-PUBLIC PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
TIMING OF RELEASE OF PORTFOLIO
TYPE OF SERVICE PROVIDER NAME OF SERVICE PROVIDER HOLDINGS INFORMATION
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Adviser Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. Daily
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Subadviser to Mid-Cap Value Fund Sasco Capital, Inc. Daily
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Subadviser to Pathfinder Fund Acadian Asset Management, Inc. Daily
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Subadviser to Total Value Fund Acadian Asset Management, Inc., Golden Daily
Capital Management, LLC and Harris
Investment Management, Inc.
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Subadviser to Worldwide Strategies Acadian Asset Management, Inc., and Daily
Fund New Star Institutional Managers
Limited
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Distributor Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation Daily
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Custodian State Street Bank and Trust Company Daily
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Sub-Financial Agent PFPC Inc. Daily
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Independent Registered Public PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Annual Reporting Period: within
Accounting Firm 15 business days of end of reporting
period
Semiannual Reporting Period: within
31 business days of end of reporting
period
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Typesetting Firm for Financial Reports GCom Solutions Monthly on first business day
and Forms N-Q following month end
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Printer for Financial Reports V.G. Reed & Sons Annual and Semiannual Reporting
Period: within 45 days after end of
reporting period
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Proxy Voting Service Institutional Shareholder Services Twice weekly on an ongoing basis
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Intermediary Selling Shares Merrill Lynch Quarterly within 10 days of
of the Fund quarter end
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Third-Party Class B Share Financer SG Constellation LLC Weekly based on prior week end
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
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PUBLIC PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS INFORMATION
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Portfolio Redistribution Firms Bloomberg, Standard & Poor's and Thompson Quarterly, 60 days after fiscal
Financial Services quarter end
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
Rating Agencies Lipper Inc. and Morningstar Quarterly, 60 days after fiscal
quarter end
----------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
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These service providers are required to keep all non-public information confidential and are prohibited from trading based on the information or otherwise using the information except as necessary in providing services to the Funds.
There is no guarantee that the Funds' policies on use and dissemination of holdings information will protect the Funds from the potential misuse of holdings by individuals or firms in possession of such information.
SERVICES OF THE ADVISER AND SUBADVISERS
THE ADVISER
The investment adviser to each of the Funds is Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. ("PIC" or "Adviser"), which is located at 56 Prospect Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06115-0480. All of the outstanding stock of PIC is owned by PEPCO, a subsidiary of Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd. ("PXP"). The Phoenix Companies, Inc. ("PNX") of Hartford, Connecticut is the sole shareholder of PXP. PNX is a leading provider of wealth management products and services to individuals and businesses. PNX's primary place of business is One American Row, Hartford, CT 06102. PEPCO, a mutual fund distributor, acts as the national distributor of the Fund's shares and as Financial Agent of the Funds. The principal office of PEPCO is located at One American Row, Hartford, CT 06102. PIC acts as the investment adviser for over 60 mutual funds and as adviser to institutional clients.
PXP has served investors for over 70 years. As of June 30, 2006, PXP had approximately $56.5 billion in assets under management. PXP's money management is provided by affiliated investment advisers, as well as through subadvisory arrangements with outside managers, each specializing in particular investment styles and asset classes.
PIC provides certain services and facilities required to carry on the day-to-day operations of the Funds (for which it receives a management fee), other than the costs of printing and mailing proxy materials, reports and notices to shareholders; outside legal and auditing accounting services, regulatory filing fees and expenses of printing the Trust's registration statements (but the Distributor purchases such copies of the Funds' prospectuses and reports and communication to shareholders as it may require for sales purposes), insurance expense, association membership dues, brokerage fees, and taxes.
The Investment Advisory Agreements will continue in effect from year-to-year
if specifically approved annually by a majority of the Trustees who are not
interested persons of the parties thereto, as defined in the 1940 Act, and by
either (a) the Trustees of the Fund or (b) the vote of a majority of the
outstanding voting securities of the applicable Fund (as defined in the 1940
Act). The Agreement may be terminated without penalty at any time by the
Trustees or by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the
applicable Fund or by the Phoenix upon 60 days written notice and will
automatically terminate in the event of its "assignment" as defined in Section
(2)(a)(4) of the 1940 Act.
Each Agreement provides that the Adviser is not liable for any act or omission in the course of, or in connection with, rendering services under the Agreement in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of obligations or duties under the Agreements. Each Agreement permits the Adviser to render services to others and to engage in other activities.
As compensation for its services with respect to Mid-Cap Value Fund, the Adviser receives a fee, which is accrued daily against the value of the Mid-Cap Value Fund's net assets and is paid by the Fund monthly. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The Adviser has contractually agreed to limit total operating expenses of the Mid-Cap Value Fund (excluding interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses) through October 31, 2007, so that such expenses do not exceed 1.25% for Class A Shares and 2.00% for Class C Shares. The Adviser will not seek to recapture any operating expenses reimbursed under this arrangement.
As compensation for its services with the respect to each of the Pathfinder and Total Value Funds, the Adviser receives a fee, which is accrued daily against the value of each Fund's net assets and is paid by each Fund monthly. The fee is computed at the annual rate of 0.80%, respectively, of each Fund's average daily net assets. The Adviser has contractually agreed to limit total operating expenses of each of the Pathfinder and Total Value Funds (excluding interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses) through October 31, 2007, so that such expense does not exceed 1.40% for Class A Shares and 2.15% for Class C Shares. The Adviser will not seek to recapture any operating expenses reimbursed under this arrangement.
As compensation for its services with respect to the Worldwide Strategies Fund, the Adviser receives a fee, which is accrued daily against the value of the Worldwide Strategies Fund's net assets and is paid by the Fund monthly, at the following annual rates:
$1+ BILLION
$1st BILLION THROUGH $2 BILLION $2+ BILLION
------------ ------------------ -----------
Worldwide Strategies Fund 0.85% 0.80% 0.75%
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The management fees paid by the Funds for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2004, 2005 and 2006 were:
FUND 2004 2005 2006
---- ---- ---- ----
Mid-Cap Value Fund N/A $332,819 $1,723,498
Pathfinder Fund N/A N/A $19,190
Total Value Fund N/A N/A $198,341
Worldwide Strategies Fund $867,356 $848,264 $941,846
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The Adviser makes its personnel available to serve as officers and "interested" Trustees of the Trust. The Trust has not directly compensated any of their officers or Trustees for services in such capacities except to pay fees to the Trustees who are not otherwise affiliated with the Trust by reason of their being employed by the Adviser or its affiliates. The Trust reimburses all Trustees for their out-of-pocket expenses. The Trustees of the Trust are not prohibited from authorizing the payment of salaries to the officers pursuant to the Agreements, including out-of-pocket expenses, at some future time.
In addition to the management fee, expenses paid by the Funds include: fees of Trustees who are not compensated by reason of being employees of the Adviser or its affiliates, interest charges, taxes, fees and commissions of every kind, including brokerage fees, expenses of issuance, repurchase or redemption of shares, expenses of registering or qualifying shares for sale (including the printing and filing of the Trust's registration statements, reports and prospectuses excluding those copies used for sales purposes which the Distributor purchases at printer's over-run cost), accounting services fees, insurance expenses, association membership dues, all charges of custodians, transfer agents, registrars, auditors and legal counsel, expenses of preparing, printing and distributing all proxy material, reports and notices to shareholders, and, all costs incident to the Trust's existence as a Delaware statutory trust.
The Trust, the Adviser, the respective subadvisers and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act. Personnel subject to the Codes of Ethics may purchase and sell securities for their personal accounts, including securities that may be purchased, sold or held by the Funds, subject to certain restrictions and conditions. Generally, personal securities transactions are subject to preclearance procedures, reporting requirements and holding period rules. The Codes also restrict personal securities transactions in private placements, initial public offerings and securities in which the Funds have a pending order. The Trust has also adopted a Senior Management Code of Ethics as required by Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
THE SUBADVISERS
Acadian Asset Management, Inc. ("Acadian") is a Subadviser to the Pathfinder,
Total Value and Worldwide Strategies Funds and is located at One Post Office
Square, 20th Floor, Boston, MA 02109. Acadian has been an investment adviser
since 1986. As of June 30, 2006, Acadian had approximately $44.5 billion in
assets under management.
The Subadvisory Agreement provides that the Adviser, PIC, will delegate to Acadian the performance of certain of its investment management services under the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Pathfinder, Total Value and Worldwide Strategies Funds. Acadian will furnish at is own expense the office facilities and personnel necessary to perform such services. For its services as Subadviser, PIC will pay Acadian compensation at the annual rate of 50% of the gross management fee on the portion of the Pathfinder and Total Value Funds' average daily net assets that Acadian manages. PIC will pay Acadian compensation at the following annual rates, calculated on the aggregated international assets managed by Acadian across all Phoenix Funds subadvised by Acadian, including those of the Worldwide Strategies Fund:
$200+ MILLION
1st $200 MILLION THROUGH $500 MILLION $500+ MILLION
---------------- -------------------- -------------
0.50% 0.40% 0.35%
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Golden Capital Management, LLC ("Golden") is a Subadviser to the Total Value Fund and is located at Five Resource Square, 10715 David Taylor Drive, Suite 150, Charlotte, NC 28262. Golden is majority-owned by its principals and employees and is a minority-owned subsidiary of Wachovia Corporation. Golden has been an investment adviser since 1999. As of June 30, 2006, Golden had approximately $3.3 billion in assets under management.
The Subadvisory Agreement provides that the Adviser, PIC, will delegate to Golden the performance of certain of its investment management services under the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Total Value Fund. Golden will furnish at is own expense the office facilities and personnel necessary to perform such services. For its services as Subadviser, PIC will pay Golden compensation at the following annual rates calculated on the portion of the Total Value Fund's average daily net assets that Golden manages:
1st $50 MILLION GREATER THAN $50 MILLION
--------------- ------------------------
0.45% 0.40%
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Harris Investment Management, Inc. ("Harris") is a Subadviser to the Total Value Fund and is located at 190 South LaSalle Street, 4th Floor; PO Box 755, Chicago, IL 60690. Harris has been an investment adviser since 1989. As of June 30, 2006, Harris had approximately $17.7 billion in assets under management.
The Subadvisory Agreement provides that the Adviser, PIC, will delegate to Harris the performance of certain of its investment management services under the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Total Value Fund. Harris will furnish at is own expense the office facilities and personnel necessary to perform such services. For its services as Subadviser, PIC will pay Harris compensation at the following annual rates calculated on the portion of the Total Value Fund's average daily net assets that Harris manages:
1st $25 MILLION GREATER THAN $25 MILLION
--------------- ------------------------
0.50% 0.40%
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New Star Institutional Managers Limited ("New Star") is a Subadviser to the international portion of the Worldwide Strategies Fund and is located at 1 Knightsbridge Green, London, United Kingdom, SW1X7NE. New Star has been an investment adviser since 1988. As of June 30, 2006, New Star had approximately U.S. $14.1 billion in assets under management.
The Subadvisory Agreement provides that the Adviser, PIC, will delegate to New Star the performance of certain of its investment management services under the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Worldwide Strategies Fund. New Star will furnish at is own expense the office facilities and personnel necessary to perform such services. For its services as Subadviser, PIC will pay New Star compensation at the following annual rates calculated on the aggregated international assets managed by New Star across all Phoenix Funds subadvised by New Star, including those of the Worldwide Strategies Fund:
1st $100 MILLION GREATER THAN $100 MILLION
---------------- -------------------------
0.50% 0.40%
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Sasco Capital, Inc. ("Sasco") is the Subadviser to the Mid-Cap Value Fund. Sasco's principal offices are located at addressStreet10 Sasco Hill Road, Fairfield, CT 06824. Sasco has been an investment adviser since 1985, and as of June 30, 2006 had approximately $3.4 billion in assets under management.
The Subadvisory Agreement provides that the Adviser, PIC, will delegate to Sasco the performance of certain of its investment management services under the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Mid-Cap Value Fund. Sasco will furnish at its own expense the office facilities and personnel necessary to perform such services. For its services as Subadviser, Phoenix will pay to Sasco a subadvisory fee as a portion of the monthly gross investment management fee (without regard to capping of expenses or other waivers or reimbursements) that Phoenix receives from the Mid-Cap Value Fund at the annual rate of 47.5% of the monthly gross investment management fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement.
Total subadvisory fees paid by PIC to each of the Subadvisers for managing the Funds for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2004, 2005 and 2006 were:
FUND(1) 2004 2005 2006
---- ---- ---- ----
Mid-Cap Value Fund N/A $125,902 $818,661
Pathfinder Fund N/A N/A $9,595
Total Value Fund N/A N/A $111,521
Worldwide Strategies Fund $260,207 $254,480 $432,465
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(1) Mid-Cap Value Fund has been in existence only since October 22, 2004 as a result of a reorganization of the FMI Sasco Contrarian Value Fund, its predecessor fund, therefore, no subadvisory fees were paid by the Fund in fiscal year 2004. Pathfinder Fund and Total Value Fund have been in existence only since July 29, 2005, therefore, no subadvisory fees were paid by the Funds in fiscal years 2004 or 2005. Acadian and New Star became subadvisers for the international portion of the Worldwide Strategies Fund effective July 1, 2005. Therefore, no subadvisory fees were paid to them in fiscal years 2004 or 2005. Subadvisory fees paid for Worldwide Strategies Fund in fiscal years 2004 and 2005 were paid to former subadvisers.
Each Subadvisory Agreement will continue in effect from year to year if specifically approved by the Trustees, including a majority of the independent Trustees.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES' CONSIDERATION OF ADVISORY AND SUBADVISORY AGREEMENTS
MID-CAP VALUE FUND, PATHFINDER FUND, TOTAL VALUE FUND AND WORLDWIDE STRATEGIES
FUND
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees approving the
investment advisory and subadvisory agreements is available in the Funds'
semiannual report covering the period July 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005.
DESCRIPTION OF PROXY VOTING POLICY
The Trust has adopted, on behalf of the Funds, a Statement of Policy with
Respect to Proxy Voting (the "Policy") stating the Trust's intention to exercise
stock ownership rights with respect to portfolio securities in a manner that is
reasonably anticipated to further the best economic interests of shareholders of
the Funds. The Funds have committed to analyze and vote all proxies that are
likely to have financial implications, and where appropriate, to participate in
corporate governance, shareholder proposals, management communications and legal
proceedings. The Funds must also identify potential or actual conflicts of
interest in voting proxies and must address any such conflict of interest in
accordance with the Policy.
The Policy stipulates that the Funds' Adviser will vote proxies or delegate such responsibility to a subadviser. The Adviser or applicable Subadviser will vote proxies in accordance with this Policy, or its own policies and procedures, which in no event will conflict with the Trust's Policy. Any Adviser or Subadviser may engage a qualified, independent organization to vote proxies on its behalf (a "delegate"). Matters that may affect substantially the rights and privileges of the holders of securities to be voted will be analyzed and voted on a case-by-case basis taking into consideration such relevant factors as enumerated in the Policy. The views of management of a portfolio company will be considered.
The Policy specifies certain factors that will be considered when analyzing and voting proxies on certain issues, including, but not limited to:
o Corporate Governance Matters--tax and economic benefits of changes in the state of incorporation; dilution or improved accountability associated with anti-takeover provisions such as staggered boards, poison pills and supermajority provisions.
o Changes to Capital Structure--dilution or improved accountability associated with such changes.
o Stock Option and Other Management Compensation Issues--executive pay and spending on perquisites, particularly in conjunction with sub-par performance and employee layoffs.
o Social and Corporate Responsibility Issues--the Adviser or Subadvisers will generally vote against shareholder social and environmental issue proposals.
The Funds and their delegates seek to avoid actual or perceived conflicts of interest of Fund shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the Adviser, Subadvisers, delegate, principal underwriter, or any affiliated person of the Funds, on the other hand. Depending on the type and materiality, any conflicts of interest will be handled by (i) relying on the recommendations of an established, independent third party proxy voting vendor; (ii) voting pursuant to the recommendation of the delegate; (iii) abstaining; or (iv) where two or more delegates provide conflicting requests, voting shares in proportion to the assets under management of each delegate. The Policy requires each Adviser, Subadviser or delegate to notify the President of the Trust of any actual or potential conflict of interest. No Adviser, Subadviser or delegate may waive any conflict of interest or vote any conflicted proxies without the prior written approval of the Board of Trustees or the President of the Trust.
The Policy further imposes certain record keeping and reporting requirements
on each Adviser, Subadviser or delegate. Information regarding how the Funds
voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month
period ending June 30, is available free of charge by calling, toll-free,
(800)-243-1574, or on the SEC's Internet site at http://www.sec.gov.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
COMPENSATION OF PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF PHOENIX INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT CO. (ADVISER TO THE WORLDWIDE STRATEGIES FUND)
Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd. and its affiliated investment management firms (collectively, "PXP"), believe that the firm's compensation program is adequate and competitive to attract and retain high-caliber investment professionals. Investment professionals at PXP receive a competitive base salary, an incentive bonus opportunity and a benefits package. Managing Directors and portfolio investment professionals who supervise and manage others also participate in a management incentive program reflecting their personal contribution and team performance. Highly compensated individuals can also take advantage of a long-term Incentive Compensation program to defer their compensation and potentially reduce their tax implications.
The bonus package for portfolio managers is based upon how well the individual manager meets or exceeds assigned goals and a subjective assessment of contribution to the team effort. Their incentive bonus also reflects a performance component for achieving and/or exceeding performance competitive with peers managing similar strategies. Such component is further adjusted to reward investment personnel for managing within the stated framework and for not taking unnecessary risks. This ensures that investment personnel will remain focused on managing and acquiring securities that correspond to a fund's mandate and risk profile. It also avoids the temptation for portfolio managers to take on more risk and unnecessary exposure to chase performance for personal gain.
Finally, portfolio managers and investment professionals may also receive PNX stock options and/or be granted PNX restricted stock at the direction of the parent's Board of Directors.
Following is a more detailed description of the compensation structure of the funds' portfolio managers identified in the funds' prospectus.
BASE SALARY. Each portfolio manager is paid a fixed base salary, which is determined by PXP and is designed to be competitive in light of the individual's experience and responsibilities. PXP management uses compensation survey results of investment industry compensation conducted by an independent third party in evaluating competitive market compensation for its investment management professionals.
INCENTIVE BONUS. Generally, the current Performance Incentive Plan for portfolio managers at PXP is made up of three components:
(1) Seventy percent of the target incentive is based on achieving investment area investment goals and individual performance. The Investment Incentive pool will be established based on actual pre-tax investment performance compared with specific peer group or index measures established at the beginning of each calendar year. Performance of the funds managed is measured over one, three and five-year periods against specified benchmarks and/or peer group (as indicated in the table below) for each fund managed. Performance of the PNX general account and growth of revenue, if applicable to a particular portfolio manager, is measured on a one-year basis. Generally, individual manager's participation is based on the performance of each fund/account managed as weighted roughly by total assets in each of those funds/accounts.
FUND BENCHMARK(s) AND/OR PEER GROUPS ---- ------------------------------- Worldwide Strategies Funds Lipper Large Cap Core Funds (domestic portion) |
(2) Fifteen percent of the target incentive is based on the profitability of the investment management division with which the portfolio manager is associated. This component of the plan is paid in restricted stock units of The Phoenix Companies, Inc., which vest over three years.
(3) Fifteen percent of the target incentive is based on the manager's investment area's competencies and on individual performance. This pool is funded based on The Phoenix Companies, Inc.'s return on equity.
The Performance Incentive Plan applicable to some portfolio managers may vary
from the description above. For instance, plans applicable to certain portfolio
managers (i) may specify different percentages of target incentive that is based
on investment goals and individual performance and on The Phoenix Companies,
Inc. return on equity, (ii) may have fewer performance measurement periods,
(iii) may not contain the component that is based on the profitability of the
management division with which the portfolio manager is associated, or (iv) may
contain a guarantee payout percentage of certain portions of the Performance
Incentive Plan.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE BONUS. Certain portfolio managers are eligible for a long-term incentive plan that is paid in restricted stock units of The Phoenix Companies, Inc. which vest over three years. Awards under this plan are contingent upon PNX achieving its cash return on equity objective, generally over a three-year period. Target award opportunities for eligible participants are determined by PNX's Compensation Committee.
OTHER BENEFITS. Portfolio managers are also eligible to participate in broad-based plans offered generally to the firm's employees, including broad-based retirement, 401(k), health and other employee benefit plans.
COMPENSATION OF PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF ACADIAN (SUBADVISER TO THE PATHFINDER
FUND, TOTAL VALUE FUND AND WORLDWIDE STRATEGIES FUND)
Acadian believes that the firm's compensation program is adequate and
competitive to attract and retain high-caliber investment professionals.
Investment professionals at Acadian receive a competitive base salary, an
incentive bonus opportunity and a benefits package. Senior investment
professionals also participate in a long-term incentive plan established by
Acadian's parent company Old Mutual Asset Managers (U.S.).
Acadian portfolios are team-managed and the bonus package for portfolio managers is based upon a subjective assessment of their contribution to the team effort. Key areas of assessment include how the individual contributed to meeting clients' performance and service expectations. The investment professional's contribution to Acadian's research agenda is also considered.
Following is a more detailed description of the compensation structure of the funds' portfolio managers identified in the funds' prospectus.
BASE SALARY. Each portfolio manager is paid a fixed base salary, which is determined by Acadian and is designed to be competitive in light of the individual's experience and responsibilities. Acadian management uses compensation survey results of investment industry compensation conducted by an independent third party in evaluating competitive market compensation for its investment management professionals.
INCENTIVE BONUS. Each portfolio manager is eligible for an incentive bonus. The bonus pool is based upon the annual profits of the firm after sharing these profits with its parent company. Each portfolio manager has a bonus target based on a percentage of his or her salary. Depending on the size of the bonus pool and the evaluation of the manager, he or she may receive more or less than the target bonus. A typical target bonus percentage for a portfolio manager would be 100% of salary.
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE BONUS. Most Acadian portfolio managers participate in a long-term incentive plan. Participation is in the form of stock appreciation rights. The value of the shares in the pool is based upon a 20% share in Acadian's growth in profitability over a period of time. The shares will vest in 2007, at which time a new long term incentive plan will be put in place.
OTHER BENEFITS. Portfolio managers are also eligible to participate in broad-based plans offered generally to the firm's employees, including broad-based retirement, 401(k), health and other employee benefit plans.
COMPENSATION OF PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF GOLDEN (SUBADVISER TO THE TOTAL VALUE FUND)
The compensation program for the investment professionals at Golden Capital
Management, LLC is competitive relative to the investment industry. Golden
Capital believes that attracting, retaining, and motivating quality portfolio
managers is paramount to the continued success of the firm. The compensation
package offered to key portfolio managers consists of three main components:
base salary, annual bonus plan, and long-term equity incentives.
Listed below is a more detailed description of the compensation package for the Funds' portfolio managers identified in the Fund's prospectus.
BASE SALARY. The base salary is set annually at a fixed rate and is competitive with the investment industry and based upon individual contributions and the overall profitability of the firm. The management team uses compensation surveys related to the investment industry by third party research providers to stay abreast of current trends and help ensure fair market levels of base compensation.
ANNUAL BONUS. The annual bonus pool award given to the Funds' portfolio is determined by the management team of Golden Capital and based on Fund performance, process consistency, client retention, and to a lesser extent, management discretion. Fund performance is evaluated on a pre-tax basis versus the Lipper Core Equity and Lipper Value Equity peer groups on a one and three year time horizon.
LONG-TERM EQUITY INCENTIVES. The Fund's portfolio managers are founders and owners of Golden Capital Management, LLC and thereby participate through equity ownership in the long-term growth and success of the firm.
OTHER BENEFITS. Portfolio managers are also eligible to participate in broad-based plans offered generally to the firm's employees, including 401(k), profit sharing, health insurance and other employee benefit plans.
COMPENSATION OF PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF HARRIS (SUBADVISER TO THE TOTAL VALUE
FUND)
The compensation program for investment professionals of Harris is designed
to provide a total compensation package that (a) serves to align employees'
interests with those of their clients, and (b) helps management to attract and
retain high quality investment professionals.
All investment professionals are compensated through a combination of base salary and bonus. Senior management retains a national compensation consultant to undertake a study, at least annually, to determine appropriate levels of base compensation for the firm's investment professionals. Bonus amounts are determined by many factors including: investment performance, the overall profitability of the firms, and each individual's contributions to the success of the respective firm. Fund performance is measured on a pre-tax basis over the one and three year periods as compared to the Russell Large Cap Value Index and the Lipper Large Cap Value Index. The objective with regard to each component of compensation is to provide competitive compensation to investment professionals.
Harris also has a deferred incentive compensation program (nonqualified plan) which provides that certain key employees (currently, those who have been designated a Partner or Senior Partner of Harris, and including portfolio managers, analysts, and certain non-investment personnel) are granted incentive awards annually and elect to defer receipt of the award and earnings thereon until a future date. The award for each participant, expressed as a percentage of the pre-tax, pre-long-term incentive profits of Harris, is determined by senior management and communicated to participants early in each award year. The awards vest after a period of three years from the end of the specific year for which the awards are granted, and are payable to participants based on the provisions of the program and the elections of the participants.
COMPENSATION OF PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF NEW STAR (SUBADVISER TO THE WORLDWIDE
STRATEGIES FUND)
New Star's comprehensive salary and benefits package is designed to be
competitive both within the industry and the region in which the firm operates.
The entrepreneurial culture, success, and "can do" attitude of the firm is one
of the major reasons for attracting and keeping exceptional staff. In fact, the
international equity team is a cohesive group with senior managers having been
with the firm for an average of 14 years. Portfolio managers and research
analysts are paid competitive salaries plus equity participation. There is no
fixed percentage breakdown. No individual is rewarded solely on his/her
performance; rather, compensation is dictated by the success of the organization
as a whole.
Direct share ownership rather than performance-based bonuses ensures that unnecessary risks on individual portfolios are not taken but ensures that the key driver of the business - long-term performance - is uppermost in their minds. Investment professionals will ultimately only be rewarded if the business is successful and the performance is solid. Employee ownership varies based on tenure and level of contribution to overall firm performance.
COMPENSATION OF PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF SASCO (SUBADVISER TO THE MID-CAP VALUE
FUND)
Sasco is independently owned by its employees. All key investment
professionals' compensation is directly tied to the profitability of the firm
since each have direct stock ownership, or an ownership profit interest in the
firm. Each receives a fixed base salary plus bonus, or profit distribution,
based on individual contribution and profitability of the firm. Bonuses can
exceed 100% of base salary. Profits, after all expenses, are distributed and not
retained in the business. Sasco has an employee Target Benefit Plan for all of
its employees, including its portfolio managers. The Plan is administered by an
independent actuarial firm. All compensation is pre-tax. There is no difference
between the method used to determine compensation with respect to management of
the Mid-Cap Value Fund and the other accounts managed by the portfolio managers.
OTHER ACCOUNTS MANAGED BY PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF THE FUNDS AND POTENTIAL
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
There may be certain inherent conflicts of interest that arise in connection
with the portfolio managers' management of each fund's investments and the
investments of any other accounts they manage. Such conflicts could include
aggregation of orders for all accounts managed by a particular portfolio
manager, the allocation of purchases across all such accounts, the allocation of
IPOs and any soft dollar arrangements that the adviser may have in place that
could benefit the funds and/or such other accounts. The Board of Trustees has
adopted on behalf of the funds policies and procedures designed to address any
such conflicts of interest to ensure that all transactions are executed in the
best interest of the funds' shareholders. The adviser and subadviser are
required to certify their compliance with these procedures to the Board of
Trustees on a quarterly basis. There have been no material compliance issues
with respect to any of these policies and procedures during the funds' most
recent fiscal year. Also, there are no material conflicts of interest since
portfolio managers generally manage funds and other accounts having similar
investment strategies.
The following table provides information as of June 30, 2006 regarding any other accounts managed by the portfolio managers and portfolio management team members for each of the funds as named in the prospectus. As noted in the table, the portfolio managers managing the funds may also manage or be members of management teams for other mutual funds within the Phoenix Fund complex or other similar accounts.
NUMBER OF AND TOTAL
NUMBER OF AND TOTAL ASSETS OF OTHER NUMBER OF AND TOTAL
ASSETS OF REGISTERED POOLED INVESTMENT ASSETS OF OTHER
PORTFOLIO MANAGER INVESTMENT COMPANIES VEHICLES (PIVs) ACCOUNTS
----------------- -------------------- --------------- --------
Michal Bartek 2/$44.1 million None 1/$156.3 million
Ian Beattie 2/$74.5 million 3/$93.2 million 5/$380.8 million
Bruce Bottomley None None 23/$2.6 billion*
Brendan O. Bradley 18/$4.5 billion 18/$4.9 billion 143/$32.3 billion**
John R. Chisholm 18/$4.5 billion 18/$4.9 billion 143/$32.3 billion**
Matthew J. Cohen 18/$4.5 billion 18/$4.9 billion 143/$32.3 billion**
Steven L. Colton 4/$1.1 billion None 6/$570.8 million
Greg W. Golden None 1/$5 million 5,500/$2.5 billion
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NUMBER OF AND TOTAL
NUMBER OF AND TOTAL ASSETS OF OTHER NUMBER OF AND TOTAL
ASSETS OF REGISTERED POOLED INVESTMENT ASSETS OF OTHER
PORTFOLIO MANAGER INVESTMENT COMPANIES VEHICLES (PIVs) ACCOUNTS
----------------- -------------------- --------------- --------
Mark Helderman None None 23/$2.6 billion*
Daniel Leary None None 23/$2.6 billion*
Jeff C. Moser None 1/$5 million 5,500/$2.5 billion
Raymond F. Mui 18/$4.5 billion 18/$4.9 billion 143/$32.3 billion**
Daniel L. Sido 5/$1.1 million 10/$2.1 million 11/$174,809
Brian K. Wolahan 18/$4.5 billion 18/$4.9 billion 143/$32.3 billion**
|
Note: Registered Investment Companies include all open and closed-end mutual funds. Pooled Investment Vehicles (PIVs) include, but are not limited to, securities of issuers exempt from registration under Section 3(c) of the Investment Company Act, such as private placements and hedge funds. Other accounts would include, but are not limited to, individual managed accounts, separate accounts, institutional accounts, pension funds, collateralized bond obligations and collateralized debt obligations.
* The advisory fee for one of these other accounts is based upon performance. Assets under management in this account total $1.5 billion.
** The advisory fee for 26 of these other accounts is based upon performance.
Assets under management in these accounts total $311.2 million.
Except as noted, the portfolio managers did not manage any accounts with respect to which the advisory fee is based on the performance of the account, nor do they manage any hedge funds.
OWNERSHIP OF FUND SECURITIES BY PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The following table sets forth the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned as of June 30, 2006 by each portfolio manager in the Funds described in the Prospectus that he manages.
DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY SECURITIES BENEFICIALLY
PORTFOLIO MANAGER OWNED IN EACH FUND MANAGED
----------------- --------------------------
Michal Bartek Worldwide Strategies Fund - None
Ian Beattie Worldwide Strategies Fund - None
Bruce Bottomley Over $100,000/Mid-Cap Value
Brendan O. Bradley None
John R. Chisholm None
Matthew J. Cohen None
Steven L. Colton None
Greg W. Golden Total Value Fund - None
Mark Helderman $50,000 - $100,000/Mid-Cap Value
Daniel Leary Over $100,000/Mid-Cap Value
Jeff C. Moser Total Value Fund - None
Raymond F. Mui None
Daniel L. Sido None
Brian K. Wolahan None
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NET ASSET VALUE
The net asset value per share of each Fund is determined as of the close of trading of the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") on days when the NYSE is open for trading. The NYSE will be closed on the following observed national holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Since the Funds do not price securities on weekends or United States national holidays, the value of the Funds' foreign assets may be significantly affected on days when the investor may not be able to purchase or sell shares of the Funds. The net asset value per share of each Fund is determined by adding the values of all securities and other assets of each Fund, subtracting liabilities, and dividing the result by the total number of outstanding shares of the Fund. Assets and liabilities are determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. The total liability allocated to a class, plus that class' distribution fee and any other expenses allocated solely to that
class, are deducted from the proportionate interest of such class in the assets of the Fund, and the resulting amount of each is divided by the number of shares of that class outstanding to produce the net asset value per share.
A security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the official closing price on the exchange determined to be the primary exchange for such security by the Trustees or their delegates. Because of the need to obtain prices as of the close of trading on various exchanges throughout the world, the calculation of net asset value may not take place for the Funds which may invest in foreign securities contemporaneously with the determination of the prices of the majority of the portfolio securities of the Funds. All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currency values will be converted into United States dollar values at the mean between the bid and ask quotations of such currencies against United States dollars as last quoted by any recognized dealer. If an event were to occur after the value of an investment was so established but before the net asset value per share was determined, which was likely to materially change the net asset value, then the instrument would be valued using fair value considerations by the Trustees or their delegates. If at any time the Funds have investments where market quotations are not readily available, such investments are valued at the fair value thereof as determined in good faith by the Trustees, although the actual calculations may be made by persons acting according to policies and procedures approved by the Trustees.
HOW TO BUY SHARES
The minimum initial investment is $500 and the minimum subsequent investment is $25. However, both the minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts are $25 for investments pursuant to the "Investo-Matic" plan, a bank draft investing program administered by Distributor, or pursuant to the Systematic Exchange privilege or for an individual retirement account (the "IRA"). In addition, there are no subsequent investment minimum amounts in connection with the reinvestment of dividend or capital gain distributions. Completed applications for the purchase of shares should be mailed to: Phoenix Funds, c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company, P.O. Box 8301, Boston, MA 02266-8301.
The Funds have authorized one or more brokers to accept on their behalf purchase and redemption orders. Such brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on the Funds' behalf. The Funds will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or, if applicable, a broker's authorized designee, accepts the order. Customer orders will be priced at the Funds' net asset value next computed after they are received by an authorized broker or the broker's authorized designee.
ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS
Shares may be purchased from investment dealers at a price equal to their net asset value per share, plus a sales charge which, at the election of the purchaser, may be imposed either (i) at the time of the purchase (the "initial sales charge alternative") or (ii) on a contingent deferred basis (the "deferred sales charge alternative"). Orders received by dealers prior to the close of trading on the NYSE are confirmed at the offering price effective at that time, provided the order is received by the authorized broker or the broker's authorized designee.
The alternative purchase arrangements permit an investor to choose the method of purchasing shares that is more beneficial given the amount of the purchase, the length of time the investor expects to hold the shares, whether the investor wishes to receive distributions in cash or to reinvest them in additional shares of the Funds, and other circumstances. Investors should consider whether, during the anticipated life of their investment in the Fund, the accumulated continuing distribution and service fees and contingent deferred sales charges ("CDSC") on Class B Shares or Class C Shares would be less than the initial sales charge and accumulated distribution and service fees on Class A Shares purchased at the same time.
Dividends paid by the Funds, if any, with respect to each class of shares will be calculated in the same manner at the same time on the same day, except that fees such as higher distribution and services fees and any incremental transfer agency costs relating to each class of shares will be borne exclusively by that class. (See "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" section of this SAI.)
As previously noted, the Mid-Cap Value Fund, Pathfinder Fund, Relative Value Fund and the Total Value Fund currently offer Class A and C Shares, the Worldwide Strategies Fund currently offers Class A, B and C Shares.
CLASS A SHARES OF THE FUNDS
Class A Shares incur a sales charge when they are purchased and enjoy the benefit of not being subject to any sales charge when they are redeemed, except that a 1% deferred sales charge may apply to shares purchased on which a finder's fee has been paid if redeemed within one year of purchase. The one-year period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made. Such deferred sales charge may be waived under certain conditions as determined by the Distributor. Class A Shares are subject to an ongoing distribution and services fees at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to the Class A Shares. In addition, certain purchases of Class A Shares qualify for reduced initial sales charges. Shareholders of the Mid-Cap Value Fund who became shareholders through the reorganization of
the FMI Sasco Contrarian Value Fund (the "Predecessor Fund") received Class A Shares of the Mid-Cap Value Fund in exchange for their shares of the Predecessor Fund and will not be required to pay a sales load for new purchases of Class A Shares of the Mid-Cap Value Fund.
CLASS B SHARES (WORLDWIDE STRATEGIES FUND ONLY)
Class B Shares do not incur a sales charge when they are purchased, but they are subject to a sales charge if they are redeemed within five years of purchase. The deferred sales charge may be waived in connection with certain qualifying redemptions. (See the "Class B Shares and Class C Shares--Waiver of Sales Charges" section in this SAI.)
Class B Shares are subject to an ongoing distribution and services fee at an aggregate annual rate of up to 1.00% of the Fund's aggregate average daily net assets attributable to the Class B Shares. Class B Shares enjoy the benefit of permitting all of the investor's dollars to work from the time the investment is made. The higher ongoing distribution and services fee paid by Class B Shares will cause such shares to have a higher expense ratio and to pay lower dividends, to the extent any dividends are paid, than those related to Class A Shares. Class B Shares will automatically convert to Class A Shares of the Fund eight years after the end of the calendar month in which the shareholder's order to purchase was accepted, in the circumstances and subject to the qualifications described in the Funds' prospectus. The purpose of the conversion feature is to relieve the holders of the Class B Shares that have been outstanding for a period of time sufficient for the adviser and the Distributor to have been compensated for distribution expenses related to the Class B Shares from most of the burden of such distribution related expenses.
Class B Shares include all shares purchased pursuant to the deferred sales charge alternative which would have been outstanding for less than the period ending eight years after the end of the month in which the shares were issued. At the end of this period, Class B Shares will automatically convert to Class A Shares and will no longer be subject to the higher distribution and services fee. Such conversion will be on the basis of the relative net asset value of the two classes without the imposition of any sales load, fee or other charge.
For purposes of conversion to Class A Shares, shares purchased through the reinvestment of dividends and distributions paid in respect of Class B Shares in a shareholder's Fund account will be considered to be held in a separate subaccount. Each time any Class B Shares in the shareholder's Fund account (other than those in the subaccount) convert to Class A Shares an equal pro rata portion of the Class B Share dividends in the subaccount will also convert to Class A Shares.
CLASS C SHARES OF THE FUNDS
Class C Shares are purchased without an initial sales charge but are subject
to a deferred sales charge if redeemed within one year of purchase. The deferred
sales charge may be waived in connection with certain qualifying redemptions.
Shares issued in conjunction with the automatic reinvestment of income
distributions and capital gain distributions are not subject to any sales
charges. Class C Shares are subject to an ongoing distribution and services fee
at an aggregate annual rate of up to 1.00% of the applicable Fund's aggregate
average daily net assets attributable to Class C Shares.
CLASS A SHARES--REDUCED INITIAL SALES CHARGES
Investors choosing Class A Shares may be entitled to reduced sales charges. The ways in which sales charges may be avoided or reduced are described below.(1) Investors buying Class A Shares on which a finder's fee has been paid may incur a 1% deferred sales charge if they redeem their shares within one year of purchase. The one-year period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made. Such deferred sales charge may be waived under certain conditions as determined by the Distributor.
QUALIFIED PURCHASERS. If you fall within any one of the following categories,
you will not have to pay a sales charge on your purchase of Class A Shares: (1)
trustee, director or officer of the Phoenix Funds, or any other mutual fund
advised, subadvised or distributed by the Adviser, Distributor or any of their
corporate affiliates; (2) any director or officer, or any full-time employee or
sales representative (for at least 90 days), of the Adviser, Subadviser (if any)
or Distributor; (3) any private client of an Adviser or Subadviser to any
Phoenix Fund; (4) registered representatives and employees of securities dealers
with whom the Distributor has sales agreements; (5) any qualified retirement
plan exclusively for persons described above; (6) any officer, director or
employee of a corporate affiliate of the Adviser or Distributor; (7) any spouse,
child, parent, grandparent, brother or sister of any person named in (1), (2),
(4) or (6) above; (8) employee benefit plans for employees of the Adviser,
Distributor and/or their corporate affiliates; (9) any employee or agent who
retires from PNX, the Distributor and/or their corporate affiliates; (10) any
account held in the name of a qualified employee benefit plan, endowment fund or
foundation if, on the date of the initial investment, the plan, fund or
foundation has assets of $10,000,000 or more or at least 100 eligible employees;
(11) any person with a direct rollover transfer of shares from an established
Phoenix Fund or qualified plan; (12) any Phoenix Life Insurance
(1) As previously noted, existing shareholders of the Predecessor Fund who became shareholders of the Mid-Cap Value Fund through the reorganization received Class A Shares of the Mid-Cap Value Fund in exchange for their shares of the Predecessor Fund and will not be required to pay a sales load for new purchases of Class A Shares of the Mid-Cap Value Fund.
Company (or affiliate) separate account which funds group annuity contracts offered to qualified employee benefit plans; (13) any state, county, city, department, authority or similar agency prohibited by law from paying a sales charge; (14) any unallocated account held by a third party administrator, registered investment adviser, trust company, or bank trust department which exercises discretionary authority and holds the account in a fiduciary, agency, custodial or similar capacity, if in the aggregate of such accounts held by such entity equal or exceed $1,000,000; (15) any deferred compensation plan established for the benefit of any Phoenix Fund trustee or director; provided that sales to persons listed in (1) through (15) above are made upon the written assurance of the purchaser that the purchase is made for investment purposes and that the shares so acquired will not be resold except to the Fund; (16) purchasers of Class A Shares bought through investment advisers and financial planners who charge an advisory, consulting or other fee for their services and buy shares for their own accounts or the accounts of their clients; (17) retirement plans and deferred compensation plans and trusts used to fund those plans (including, for example, plans qualified or created under Sections 401(a), 403(b) or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code), and "rabbi trusts" that buy shares for their own accounts, in each case if those purchases are made through a broker or agent or other financial intermediary that has made special arrangements with the Distributor for such purchases; (18) 401(k) participants in the Merrill Lynch Daily K Plan (the "Plan") if the Plan has at least $3 million in assets or 500 or more eligible employees; or (19) clients of investment advisors or financial planners who buy shares for their own accounts but only if their accounts are linked to a master account of their investment advisor or financial planner on the books and records of the broker, agent or financial intermediary with which the Distributor has made such special arrangements. Each of the investors described in (16) through (19) may be charged a fee by the broker, agent or financial intermediary for purchasing shares.
COMBINATION PURCHASE PRIVILEGE. Your purchase of any class of shares of these Funds or any other Phoenix Fund (other than any Phoenix money market fund), if made at the same time by the same "person," will be added together with any existing Phoenix Fund account values to determine whether the combined sum entitles you to an immediate reduction in sales charges. A "person" is defined in this and the following sections as (a) any individual, their spouse and minor children purchasing shares for his or their own account (including an IRA account) including his or their own trust; (b) a trustee or other fiduciary purchasing for a single trust, estate or single fiduciary account (even though more than one beneficiary may exist); (c) multiple employer trusts or Section 403(b) plans for the same employer; (d) multiple accounts (up to 200) under a qualified employee benefit plan or administered by a third-party administrator; or (e) trust companies, bank trust departments, registered investment advisers, and similar entities placing orders or providing administrative services with respect to accounts over which they exercise discretionary investment authority and which are held in a fiduciary, agency, custodial or similar capacity, provided all shares are held of record in the name, or nominee name, of the entity placing the order.
LETTER OF INTENT. If you sign a Letter of Intent, your purchase of any class of shares of these Funds or any other Phoenix Fund (other than any Phoenix money market fund), if made by the same person within a thirteen-month period, will be added together to determine whether you are entitled to an immediate reduction in sales charges. Sales charges are reduced based on the overall amount you indicate that you will buy under the Letter of Intent. The Letter of Intent is a mutually non-binding arrangement between you and the Distributor. Since the Distributor doesn't know whether you will ultimately fulfill the Letter of Intent, shares worth 5% of the amount of each purchase will be set aside until you fulfill the Letter of Intent. When you buy enough shares to fulfill the Letter of Intent, these shares will no longer be restricted. If, on the other hand, you do not satisfy the Letter of Intent, or otherwise wish to sell any restricted shares, you will be given the choice of either buying enough shares to fulfill the Letter of Intent or paying the difference between any sales charge you previously paid and the otherwise applicable sales charge based on the intended aggregate purchases described in the Letter of Intent. You will be given 20 days to make this decision. If you do not exercise either election, the Distributor will automatically redeem the number of your restricted shares needed to make up the deficiency in sales charges received. The Distributor will redeem restricted Class A Shares before Class C Shares or Class B Shares of the Worldwide Strategies Fund, respectively. Oldest shares will be redeemed before selling newer shares. Any remaining shares will then be deposited to your account.
RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION. The value of your account(s) in any class of shares of these Funds or any other Phoenix Fund (other than any Phoenix money market fund), may be added together at the time of each purchase to determine whether the combined sum entitles you to a prospective reduction in sales charges. You must provide certain account information to the Distributor at the time of purchase to exercise this right.
ASSOCIATIONS. Certain groups or associations may be treated as a "person" and
qualify for reduced Class A Share sales charges. The group or association must:
(1) have been in existence for at least six months; (2) have a legitimate
purpose other than to purchase mutual fund shares at a reduced sales charge; (3)
work through an investment dealer; or (4) not be a group whose sole reason for
existing is to consist of members who are credit card holders of a particular
company, policyholders of an insurance company, customers of a bank or a
broker-dealer or clients of an investment adviser.
CLASS B SHARES (WORLDWIDE STRATEGIES FUND ONLY) AND CLASS C SHARES--WAIVER OF SALES CHARGES
The CDSC is waived on the redemption (sale) of Class B Shares and Class C
Shares if the redemption is made (a) within one year of death (i) of the sole
shareholder on an individual account, (ii) of a joint tenant where the surviving
joint tenant is the deceased's spouse, or (iii) of the beneficiary of a Uniform
Gifts to Minors Act ("UGMA"), Uniform Transfers to Minors Act ("UTMA") or other
custodial account; (b) within one year of disability, as defined in Code Section
72(m)(7); (c) as a mandatory distribution upon reaching age 70 1/2 under any
retirement plan qualified under Code Sections 401, 408 or 403(b) or resulting
from the tax-free return of an excess contribution to an IRA; (d) by 401(k)
plans using an approved participant tracking system for participant hardships,
death, disability or normal retirement, and loans which are subsequently repaid;
(e) from the Merrill Lynch Daily K Plan ("Plan") invested in Class B Shares, on
which such shares the Distributor has not paid the dealer the Class B sales
commission; (f) based on the exercise of exchange privileges among Class B
Shares and Class C Shares of these Funds or any other Phoenix Fund; (g) based on
any direct rollover transfer of shares from an established Phoenix Fund
qualified plan into a Phoenix Fund IRA by participants terminating from the
qualified plan; and (h) based on the systematic withdrawal program (Class B
Shares of the Worldwide Strategies Fund only). If, as described in condition (a)
above, an account is transferred to an account registered in the name of a
deceased's estate, the CDSC will be waived on any redemption from the estate
account occurring within one year of the death. If the Class B Shares are not
redeemed within one year of the death, they will remain subject to the
applicable CDSC when redeemed.
CONVERSION FEATURE--CLASS B SHARES (WORLDWIDE STRATEGIES FUND ONLY)
Class B Shares will automatically convert to Class A Shares of the same Fund
eight years after they are bought. Conversion will be on the basis of the then
prevailing net asset value for Class A Shares and Class B Shares. There is no
sales load, fee or other charge for this feature. Class B Shares acquired
through dividend or distribution reinvestments will be converted into Class A
Shares at the same time that other Class B Shares are converted based on the
proportion that the reinvested shares bear to purchased Class B Shares. The
conversion feature is subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of
counsel or a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") that the assessment
of the higher distribution fees and associated costs with respect to Class B
Shares does not result in any dividends or distributions constituting
"preferential dividends" under the Code, and that the conversion of shares does
not constitute a taxable event under federal income tax law. If the conversion
feature is suspended, Class B Shares would continue to be subject to the higher
distribution fee for an indefinite period. Even if the Funds were unable to
obtain such assurances, it might continue to make distributions if doing so
would assist in complying with its general practice of distributing sufficient
income to reduce or eliminate federal taxes otherwise payable by the Funds.
INVESTOR ACCOUNT SERVICES
The Funds offer accumulation plans, withdrawal plans and reinvestment and exchange privileges. Certain privileges may not be available in connection with all classes. In most cases, changes to account services may be accomplished over the phone. Inquiries regarding policies and procedures relating to shareholder account services should be directed to Mutual Fund Services at (800) 243-1574. Broker-dealers may impose their own restrictions and limits on accounts held through the broker-dealer. Please contact your broker-dealer for account restriction and limit information. The Funds and the Distributor reserve the right to modify or terminate these services upon reasonable notice.
EXCHANGES
Under certain circumstances, shares of the Funds may be exchanged for shares of the same class of any other Affiliated Phoenix Fund on the basis of the relative net asset values per share at the time of the exchange. Class C Shares are also exchangeable for Class T Shares of those Phoenix Funds offering them. Exchanges are subject to the minimum initial investment requirement of the designated Fund, except if made in connection with the Systematic Exchange privilege. Shareholders may exchange shares held in book-entry form for an equivalent number (value) of the same class of shares of any other Phoenix Fund, if currently offered. On exchanges with share classes that carry a contingent deferred sales charge, the CDSC schedule of the original shares purchased continues to apply. The exchange of shares is treated as a sale and purchase for federal income tax purposes. (See the "Dividends, Distributions and Taxes" section of this SAI.) Exchange privileges may not be available for all Phoenix Funds, and may be rejected or suspended.
SYSTEMATIC EXCHANGES. If the conditions above have been met, you or your broker may, by telephone or written notice, elect to have shares exchanged for the same class of shares of another Phoenix Fund automatically on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis or may cancel this privilege at any time. If you maintain an account balance of at least $5,000, or $2,000 for tax-qualified retirement benefit plans (calculated on the basis of the net asset value of the shares held in a single account), you may direct that shares be automatically exchanged at predetermined intervals for shares of the same class of another Phoenix Fund. This requirement does not apply to Phoenix "Self Security" program participants. Systematic exchanges will be executed upon the close of business on the 10th day of each month or the next succeeding business day. Exchanges will
be based upon each Fund's net asset value per share next computed after the close of business on the 10th day of each month (or next succeeding business day), without sales charge. Systematic exchange forms are available from the Distributor.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT ACROSS ACCOUNTS
If you maintain an account balance of at least $5,000, or $2,000 for tax-qualified retirement benefit plans (calculated on the basis of the net asset value of the shares held in a single account), you may direct that any dividends and distributions paid with respect to shares in that account be automatically reinvested in a single account of one of the other Phoenix Funds at net asset value. You should obtain a current prospectus and consider the objectives and policies of each Phoenix Fund carefully before directing dividends and distributions to another Phoenix Fund. Reinvestment election forms and prospectuses are available from PEPCO. Distributions may also be mailed to a second payee and/or address. Requests for directing distributions to an alternate payee must be made in writing with a signature guarantee of the registered owner(s). To be effective with respect to a particular dividend or distribution, notification of the new distribution option must be received by the Transfer Agent at least three days prior to the record date of such dividend or distribution. If all shares in your account are repurchased or redeemed or transferred between the record date and the payment date of a dividend or distribution, you will receive cash for the dividend or distribution regardless of the distribution option selected.
INVEST-BY-PHONE
This expedited investment service allows a shareholder to make an investment
in an account by requesting a transfer of funds from the balance of their bank
account. Once a request is phoned in, PEPCO will initiate the transaction by
wiring a request for monies to the shareholder's commercial bank, savings bank
or credit union via Automated Clearing House (ACH). The shareholder's bank,
which must be an ACH member, will in turn forward the monies to PEPCO for credit
to the shareholder's account. ACH is a computer-based clearing and settlement
operation established for the exchange of electronic transactions among
participating depository institutions.
To establish this service, please complete an Invest-by-Phone Application and
attach a voided check if applicable. Upon PEPCO's acceptance of the
authorization form (usually within two weeks) shareholders may call toll free
(800) 367-5877 prior to 3:00 p.m. New York time) to place their
purchase request. Instructions as to the account number and amount to be
invested must be communicated to PEPCO. PEPCO will then contact the
shareholder's bank via ACH with appropriate instructions. The purchase is
normally credited to the shareholder's account the day following receipt of the
verbal instructions. This service may also be used to request redemption of
shares of the Money Market Fund, the proceeds of which are transferred to the
shareholder's bank the second day following receipt of the verbal request. The
Trust may delay the mailing of a check for redemption proceeds of Fund shares
purchased with a check or via Invest-by-Phone service until the Funds have
assured themselves that good payment has been collected for the purchase of the
shares, which may take up to 15 days. The Funds and PEPCO reserve the right to
modify or terminate the Invest-by-Phone service for any reason or to institute
charges for maintaining an Invest-by-Phone account.
SYSTEMATIC WITHDRAWAL PROGRAM
The Systematic Withdrawal Program (the "Program") allows you to periodically redeem a portion of your account on a predetermined monthly, quarterly, semiannual or annual basis. A sufficient number of full and fractional shares will be redeemed so that the designated payment is made on or about the 20th day of the month. Shares are tendered for redemption by the Transfer Agent, as agent for the shareowner, on or about the 15th of the month at the closing net asset value on the date of redemption. The Program also provides for redemption with proceeds to be directed through ACH to your bank account. For ACH payments, you may select the day of the month for the payments to be made; if no date is specified, the payments will occur on the 15th of the month. In addition to the limitations stated below, withdrawals may not be less than $25 and minimum account balance requirements shall continue to apply.
Shareholders participating in the Program must own shares of a Fund worth $5,000 or more, as determined by the then current net asset value per share, and elect to have all dividends reinvested. The purchase of shares while participating in the Program will ordinarily be disadvantageous to the Class A Shares investor since a sales charge will be paid by the investor on the purchase of Class A Shares at the time as other shares are being redeemed. For this reason, investors in Class A Shares may not participate in an automatic investment program while participating in the Program.
Through the Program, Class B shareholders and Class C shareholders may withdraw up to 1% of their aggregate net investments (purchases, at initial value, to date net of non-Program redemptions) each month or up to 3% of their aggregate net investment each quarter without incurring otherwise applicable contingent deferred sales charges. Class B shareholders and Class C shareholders redeeming more shares than the percentage permitted by the withdrawal program will be subject to any applicable contingent deferred sales charge on all shares redeemed. Accordingly, the purchase of Class B Shares or Class C Shares will generally not be suitable for an investor who anticipates withdrawing sums in excess of the above limits shortly after purchase.
HOW TO REDEEM SHARES
Under the 1940 Act, payment for shares redeemed must ordinarily be made within seven days after tender. The right to redeem shares may be suspended and payment therefore postponed during periods when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings, or if permitted by rules of the SEC, during periods when trading on the NYSE is restricted or during any emergency which makes it impracticable for the Funds to dispose of their securities or to determine fairly the value of their net assets or during any other period permitted by order of the SEC for the protection of investors. Furthermore, the Transfer Agent will not mail redemption proceeds until checks received for shares purchased have cleared, which may take up to 15 days after receipt of the check. Redemptions by Class B and Class C shareholders will be subject to the applicable deferred sales charge, if any. (See the Funds' current Prospectus for more information.)
The Trust has authorized one or more brokers to receive on its behalf purchase and redemption orders. Such brokers are authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on the Funds' behalf. The Funds will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized broker or, if applicable, a broker's authorized designee, accepts the order. Customer orders will be priced at the Fund's net asset value next computed after they are received by an authorized broker or the broker's authorized designee.
A shareholder should contact his/her broker-dealer if he/she wishes to transfer shares from an existing broker-dealer street name account to a street name account with another broker-dealer. The Funds have no specific procedures governing such account transfers.
REDEMPTION OF SMALL ACCOUNTS
Each shareholder account in the Funds which has been in existence for at least one year and which has a value of less than $200 due to redemption activity may be redeemed upon the giving of not less than 60 days written notice to the shareholder mailed to the address of record. During the 60-day period following such notice, the shareholder has the right to add to the account to bring its value to $200 or more. (See the Funds' current Prospectus for more information.)
BY MAIL
Shareholders may redeem shares by making written request, executed in the
full name of the account, directly to Phoenix Funds c/o State Street Bank and
Trust Company, P.O. Box 8301, Boston, MA 02266-8301. However, when certificates
for shares are in the possession of the shareholder, they must be mailed or
presented, duly endorsed in the full name of the account, with a written request
to PEPCO that the applicable Fund redeem the shares. (See the Funds' current
Prospectus for more information.)
TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS
Shareholders may redeem by telephone up to $50,000 worth of their shares held in book-entry form. (See the Funds' current Prospectus for more information.)
REDEMPTION IN KIND
To the extent consistent with state and federal law, the Funds may make
payment of the redemption price either in cash or in kind. However, the Funds
have elected to pay in cash all requests for redemption by any shareholder of
record, limited in respect to each shareholder during any 90-day period to the
lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net asset value of the Funds at the beginning of
such period. This election has been made pursuant to Rule 18f-1 under the 1940
Act and is irrevocable while the Rule is in effect unless the SEC, by order,
permits the withdrawal thereof. In case of a redemption in kind, securities
delivered in payment for shares would be readily marketable and valued at the
same value assigned to them in computing the net asset value per share of the
Funds. A shareholder receiving such securities would incur brokerage costs when
selling the securities.
ACCOUNT REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE
Shareholders who may have overlooked features of their investment at the time
they redeemed have the privilege of reinvesting their investment at net asset
value. (See the Funds' current Prospectus for more information and conditions
attached to this privilege.)
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
QUALIFICATION AS A REGULATED INVESTMENT COMPANY ("RIC")
The Funds are treated as separate entities for federal income tax purposes.
The Funds have elected to qualify and intend to qualify as RICs under Subchapter
M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). In each taxable
year the Funds qualify as RICs, they (but not their shareholders) will be
relieved of federal income tax on that portion of their net investment income
and net capital gains that are currently distributed (or deemed distributed) to
their shareholders. To the extent that the Funds fail to distribute all of their
taxable income, they will be subject to corporate income tax (currently 35%) on
any retained ordinary investment income or short-term capital gains, and corporate income tax (currently 35%) on any undistributed long-term capital gains.
The Funds intend to make timely distributions, if necessary, sufficient in amount to avoid the non-deductible 4% excise tax that is imposed on a RIC to the extent that it fails to distribute, with respect to each calendar year, at least 98% of its ordinary income for such calendar year and 98% of its capital gain net income as determined for a one-year period ending on October 31 of such calendar year (or as determined on a fiscal year basis, if a Fund so elects). Notwithstanding the foregoing, there may be certain circumstances under which it would be appropriate for the Fund to pay the excise tax. In addition, an amount equal to any undistributed investment company taxable income or capital gain net income from the previous calendar year must also be distributed to avoid the excise tax. The excise tax is imposed on the amount by which the RIC does not meet the foregoing distribution requirements. If each Fund has taxable income that would be subject to the excise tax, each Fund intends to distribute such income so as to avoid payment of the excise tax.
The Code sets forth numerous criteria that must be satisfied in order for the Funds to qualify as RICs. Among these requirements, the Funds must meet the following tests for each taxable year: (a) derive in each taxable year at least 90% of their gross income from dividends, interest and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities, and certain other investment income; and (b) meet certain diversification requirements imposed under the Code at the end of each quarter of the taxable year, discussed below. If in any taxable year the Fund does not qualify as a RIC, all of its taxable income will be taxed at corporate rates. In addition, if in any tax year a Fund does not qualify as a RIC for state tax purposes, a capital gain dividend may not retain its character in the hands of the shareholder for state tax purposes.
In addition to meeting the 90% test, in order to qualify as RICs, the Funds will be required to distribute annually to their shareholders as dividends (not including "capital gains dividends," discussed below) at least 90% of their ordinary investment income and short-term capital gains, with certain modifications. The Funds intend to make distributions to shareholders that will be sufficient to meet the 90% distribution requirement.
Each Fund must also diversify its holdings so that, at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of its total assets consists of cash, cash items, U.S. Government securities, and other securities limited generally with respect to any one issuer to not more than 5% of the total assets of the Fund and not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities of any issuer (other than U.S. Government securities). The Funds intend to comply with all of the foregoing criteria for qualification as a RIC; however, there can be no assurance that the Funds will so qualify and continue to maintain their status as RICs. If the Funds were unable for any reason to maintain their status as a RIC for any taxable year, adverse tax consequences would ensue.
TAXATION OF SHAREHOLDERS
Under the Jobs and Growth Tax Reconciliation Act of 2003, certain qualified
dividend income ("QDI") and long-term capital gains will be taxed at a lower tax
rate (15%) for individual shareholders. The reduced rate applies to QDI from
domestic corporations and certain qualified foreign corporations subject to
various requirements and a minimum holding period by both the Funds and
shareholders. Ordinary distributions made by the Funds to their shareholders are
eligible for the reduced rate to the extent the underlying income in the Fund is
QDI.
Distributions from ordinary investment income and net short-term capital gains will be taxed to the shareholders as ordinary dividend income to the extent of the earnings and profits of the Fund. Ordinary income dividends received by corporate shareholders will qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction to the extent the Funds designate such amounts as qualifying dividend distributions; however, the portion that may be so designated is subject to certain limitations. Distributions by the Funds that are designated as capital gain distributions will be taxed to the shareholders as capital gains, and will not be eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction.
Dividends declared by the Funds to shareholders of record in October, November or December will be taxable to such shareholders in the year that the dividend is declared, even if it is not paid until the following year (so long as it is actually paid by the Funds prior to February 1). Also, shareholders will be taxed on the amount of long-term capital gains designated by the Funds by written notice mailed to shareholders within 60 days after the close of the year, even if such amounts are not actually distributed to them. Shareholders will be entitled to claim a credit against their own federal income tax liability for taxes paid by the Funds on such undistributed gains, if any. If a shareholder receives a long-term capital dividend with respect to any Fund share and such share is held for less than 6 months, any loss on sale or exchange of such share will be long-term capital loss to the extent of long-term capital dividend payments.
Dividends and capital gain distributions will be taxable to shareholders as described above whether received in cash or in shares under a Fund's distribution reinvestment plan. With respect to distributions received in cash or reinvested in shares
purchased on the open market, the amount of the distribution for tax purposes will be the amount of cash distributed or allocated to the shareholder.
Shareholders should be aware that the price of shares of the Funds that are purchased prior to a dividend or distribution by the Funds may reflect the amount of the forthcoming dividend or distribution. Such dividend or distribution, when made, would be taxable to shareholders under the principles discussed above even though the dividend or distribution may reduce the net asset value of shares below a shareholder's cost and thus represent a return of a shareholder's investment in an economic sense.
A high portfolio turnover rate may result in the realization of larger amounts of short-term gains, which are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.
The Funds intend to accrue dividend income for federal income tax purposes in accordance with the rules applicable to RICs. In some cases, these rules may have the effect of accelerating (in comparison to other recipients of the dividend) the time at which the dividend is taken into account by the Funds as taxable income.
Shareholders should consult their own tax advisor about their tax situation.
INCOME AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS ARE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH INCOME TAX REGULATIONS WHICH MAY DIFFER FROM ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES GENERALLY ACCEPTED IN THE UNITED STATES.
TAXATION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The Funds may invest in certain debt securities that are originally issued or
acquired at a discount. Special rules apply under the Code to the recognition of
income with respect to such debt securities. Under the special rules, the Funds
may recognize income for tax purposes without a corresponding current receipt of
cash. In addition, gain on a disposition of a debt security subject to the
special rules may be treated wholly or partially as ordinary income, not capital
gain.
A Fund may invest in certain investments that may cause it to realize income prior to the receipt of cash distributions, including securities bearing original issue discount. The level of such investments is not expected to affect a Fund's ability to distribute adequate income to qualify as a RIC.
TAXATION OF DERIVATIVES
Many futures contracts entered into by the Funds and all listed non-equity
options written or purchased by the Funds (including covered call options
written on debt securities and options written or purchased on futures
contracts) will be governed by Section 1256 of the Code. Absent a tax election
to the contrary, gain or loss attributable to the lapse, exercise or closing out
of any such position will be treated as 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital
gain or loss, and on the last trading day of the Funds' fiscal year (and,
generally on October 31 for purposes of the 4% excise tax), all outstanding
Section 1256 positions will be marked to market (i.e., treated as if such
positions were closed out at their closing price on such day), with any
resulting gain or loss recognized as 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital
gain or loss. Under certain circumstances, entry into a futures contract to sell
a security may constitute a short sale for federal income tax purposes, causing
an adjustment in the holding period of the underlying security or a
substantially identical security in the Funds' portfolio.
Equity options written by the Funds (covered call options on portfolio stock) will be subject to the provisions under Section 1234 of the Code. If the Funds write a call option, no gain is recognized upon its receipt of a premium. If the option lapses or is closed out, any gain or loss is treated as a short-term capital gain or loss. If a call option is exercised, any resulting gain or loss is a short-term or long-term capital gain or loss depending on the holding period of the underlying stock.
Positions of a Fund which consist of at least one stock and at least one stock option or other position with respect to a related security which substantially diminishes the Fund's risk of loss with respect to such stock could be treated as a "straddle" which is governed by Section 1092 of the Code, the operation of which may cause deferral of losses, adjustments in the holding periods of stock or securities, or conversion of short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. An exception to these straddle rules exists for any "qualified covered call options" on stock options written by the Fund.
Positions of a Fund which consist of at least one debt security not governed
by Section 1256 and at least one futures or currency contract or listed
nonequity option governed by Section 1256 which substantially diminishes the
Fund's risk of loss with respect to such debt security are treated as a "mixed
straddle." Although mixed straddles are subject to the straddle rules of
Section 1092 of the Code, certain tax elections exist for them which reduce or
eliminate the operation of these rules. Each Fund will monitor these
transactions and may make certain tax elections in order to mitigate the
operation of these rules and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a RIC for
federal income tax purposes.
These special tax rules applicable to options, futures and currency transactions could affect the amount, timing and character of a Fund's income or loss and hence of its distributions to shareholders by causing holding period adjustments, converting short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses, or accelerating a Fund's income or deferring its losses.
The tax consequences of certain investments and other activities that the Funds may make or undertake (such as, but not limited to, dollar roll agreements) are not entirely clear. While the Funds will endeavor to treat the tax items arising from these transactions in a manner which it believes to be appropriate, assurance cannot be given that the IRS or a court will agree with the Funds' treatment and that adverse tax consequences will not ensue.
TAXATION OF FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
Under the Code, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in exchange
rates which occur between the time a Fund accrues interest or other receivables
or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and
the time it actually collects such receivables or pays such liabilities
generally are treated as ordinary gain or loss. Similarly, on disposition of
debt securities denominated in a foreign currency and on disposition of certain
futures contracts, forward contracts and options, gains or losses attributable
to fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency between the date of
acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition also are
treated as ordinary gain or loss. These gains and losses, referred to under the
Code as Section 988 gains or losses, may increase or decrease the amount of each
Fund's investment company taxable income to be distributed to its shareholders
as ordinary income. Section 988 of the Code provides special rules for foreign
currency transactions under which foreign currency gains or losses from forward
contracts, futures contracts that are not required to be marked-to-market and
unlisted options generally will be treated as ordinary income or loss.
TAXATION OF FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
If a Fund invests in stock of certain passive foreign investment companies, the Fund may be subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a portion of any "excess distribution" with respect to, or gain from the disposition of, such stock. The tax would be determined by allocating such distribution or gain ratably to each day of the Fund's holding period for the stock. The distributions or gain so allocated to any taxable year of the Fund, other than the taxable year of the excess distribution or disposition, would be taxed to the Fund at the highest ordinary income rate in effect for such year, and the tax would be further increased by an interest charge to reflect the value of the tax deferral deemed to have resulted from the ownership of the foreign company's stock. Any amount of distribution or gain allocated to the taxable year of the distribution or disposition would be included in the Fund's investment company taxable income and, accordingly, would not be taxable to the Fund to the extent distributed by the Fund as a dividend to its shareholders. The Fund may elect to mark to market (i.e., treat as if sold at their closing market price on same day), its investments in certain passive foreign investment companies and avoid any tax and or interest charge on excess distributions.
A Fund may be subject to tax on dividend or interest income received from securities of non-U.S. issuers withheld by a foreign country at the source. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries which entitle the Fund to a reduced rate of tax or exemption from tax on income. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Fund's assets to be invested within various countries is not known. The Funds intend to operate so as to qualify for treaty tax benefits where applicable. If more than 50% of the value of a Fund's total assets at the close of its taxable year is comprised of securities issued by foreign corporations, the Fund may elect with the IRS to "pass through" to the Fund's shareholders the amount of foreign income taxes paid by the Fund. If the Fund does elect to "pass through", each shareholder will be notified within 60 days after the close of each taxable year of the Fund if the foreign taxes paid by the Fund will "pass through" for that year, and, if so, the amount of each shareholder's pro rata share (by country) or (i) the foreign taxes paid and (ii) the Fund's gross income from foreign sources.
SALE OR EXCHANGE OF FUND SHARES
Gain or loss will be recognized by a shareholder upon the sale of his shares
in the Fund or upon an exchange of his shares in the Fund for shares in another
Fund. Provided that the shareholder is not a dealer in such shares, such gain or
loss will generally be treated as capital gain or loss, measured by the
difference between the adjusted basis of the shares and the amount realized
therefrom. Under current law, capital gains (whether long-term or short-term) of
individuals and corporations are fully includable in taxable income. Capital
losses (whether long-term or short-term) may offset capital gains plus (for
non-corporate taxpayers only) up to $3,000 per year of ordinary income.
Redemptions, including exchanges, of shares may give rise to recognized gains or losses, except as to those investors subject to tax provisions that do not require them to recognize such gains or losses. All or a portion of a loss realized upon the redemption, including exchanges, of shares may be disallowed under "wash sale" rules to the extent shares are purchased (including shares acquired by means of reinvested dividends) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after such redemption. Any loss realized upon a shareholder's sale, redemption or other disposition of shares with a tax holding period of six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any distribution of long-term capital gains with respect to such shares.
Under certain circumstances, the sales charge incurred in acquiring shares of the Fund may not be taken into account in determining the gain or loss on the disposition of those shares. This rule applies where shares of the Fund are disposed of within
90 days after the date on which they were acquired and new shares of a RIC are acquired without a sales charge or at a reduced sales charge. In that case, the gain or loss realized on the disposition will be determined by excluding from the tax basis of the shares disposed of all or a portion of the sales charge incurred in acquiring those shares. This exclusion applies to the extent that the otherwise applicable sales charge with respect to the newly acquired shares is reduced as a result of the shareholder having incurred a sales charge initially. The portion of the sales charge affected by this rule will be treated as a sales charge paid for the new shares.
TAX INFORMATION
Written notices will be sent to shareholders regarding the tax status of all
distributions made (or deemed to have been made) during each taxable year,
including the amount of QDI for individuals, the amount qualifying for the
corporate dividends-received deduction (if applicable) and the amount designated
as capital gain dividends, undistributed capital gains (if any), tax credits (if
applicable), and cumulative return of capital (if any).
IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING TAXPAYER IRS CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to IRS Regulations, the Funds may be required to withhold a
percentage of all reportable payments, including any taxable dividends, capital
gains distributions or share redemption proceeds, at the rate in effect when
such payments are made, for an account which does not have a taxpayer
identification number or social security number and certain required
certifications. The Funds reserve the right to refuse to open an account for any
person failing to provide a taxpayer identification number along with the
required certifications. The Funds will furnish shareholders, within 31 days
after the end of the calendar year, with information which is required by the
IRS for preparing income tax returns.
Some shareholders may be subject to withholding of federal income tax on dividends and redemption payments from the Funds ("backup withholding") at the rate in effect when such payments are made. Corporate shareholders and certain other shareholders specified in the Code generally are exempt from such backup withholding. Generally, shareholders subject to backup withholding will be (i) those for whom a certified taxpayer identification number is not on file with the Funds, (ii) those about whom notification has been received (either by the shareholder or the Funds) from the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding or (iii) those who, to the Fund's knowledge, have furnished an incorrect taxpayer identification number. Generally, to avoid backup withholding, an investor must, at the time an account is opened, certify under penalties of perjury that the taxpayer identification number furnished is correct and that he or she is not subject to backup withholding.
FOREIGN SHAREHOLDERS
Dividends paid by the Funds from net investment income and net realized
short-term capital gains to a shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual,
a foreign trust or estate, a foreign corporation or a foreign partnership (a
"foreign shareholder") will be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30%
unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided
under applicable treaty law. Foreign shareholders are urged to consult their own
tax advisors concerning the applicability of the U.S. withholding tax and any
foreign taxes.
OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES
In addition to the federal income tax consequences, described above,
applicable to an investment in a Fund, there may be state or local tax
considerations and estate tax considerations applicable to the circumstances of
a particular investor. The foregoing discussion is based upon the Code, judicial
decisions and administrative regulations, rulings and practices, all of which
are subject to change and which, if changed, may be applied retroactively to a
Fund, its shareholders and/or its assets. No rulings have been sought from the
IRS with respect to any of the tax matters discussed above.
The information included in the prospectus with respect to taxes, in conjunction with the foregoing, is a general and abbreviated summary of applicable provisions of the Code and Treasury regulations now in effect as currently interpreted by the courts and the IRS. The Code and these Regulations, as well as the current interpretations thereof, may be changed at any time by legislative, judicial, or administrative action. Accordingly, prospective purchasers are urged to consult their tax advisors with specific reference to their own tax situation, including the potential application of federal, state, local and foreign taxes.
Except as specifically set forth above, the foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely to the application of that law to U.S. persons, i.e., U.S. citizens and residents and U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates. Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consider the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of ownership of shares of the Funds, including the possibility that such a shareholder may be subject to a U.S. withholding tax on amounts constituting ordinary income received by him or her, where such amounts are treated as income from U.S. sources under the Code.
TAX SHELTERED RETIREMENT PLANS
Shares of the Trust are offered in connection with the following qualified
prototype retirement plans: IRA, Rollover IRA, SEP-IRA, SIMPLE, IRA, Roth IRA,
401(k), Profit-Sharing, Money Purchase Pension Plans and 403(b) Retirement
Plans. Write or call PEPCO (800) 243-4361 for further information about the
plans.
MERRILL LYNCH DAILY K PLAN
Class A Shares of a Fund are made available to Merrill Lynch Daily K Plan
(the "Plan") participants at NAV without an initial sales charge if:
(i) the Plan is recordkept on a daily valuation basis by Merrill Lynch and,
on the date the Plan Sponsor signs the Merrill Lynch Recordkeeping
Service Agreement, the Plan has $3 million or more in assets invested
in broker-dealer funds not advised or managed by Merrill Lynch Asset
Management L.P. (MLAM) that are made available pursuant to a Service
Agreement between Merrill Lynch and the fund's principal underwriter or
distributor and in funds advised or managed by MLAM (collectively, the
"Applicable Investments");
(ii) the Plan is recordkept on a daily valuation basis by an independent
recordkeeper whose services are provided through a contract or alliance
arrangement with Merrill Lynch, and, on the date the Plan Sponsor signs
the Merrill Lynch Recordkeeping Service Agreement, the Plan has $3
million or more in assets, excluding money market funds, invested in
Applicable Investments; or
(iii) the Plan has 500 or more eligible employees, as determined by a Merrill
Lynch plan conversion manager, on the date the Plan Sponsor signs the
Merrill Lynch Recordkeeping Service Agreement.
Alternatively, Class B Shares are made available to Plan participants at NAV without a CDSC if the Plan conforms with the requirements for eligibility set for in (i) through (iii) above but either does not meet the $3 million asset threshold or does not have 500 or more eligible employees.
Plans recordkept on a daily basis by Merrill Lynch or an independent recordkeeper under a contract with Merrill Lynch that are currently investing in Class B Shares convert to Class A Shares once the Plan has reached $5 million invested in Applicable Investments, or after the normal holding period of seven years from the initial date of purchase.
THE DISTRIBUTOR
Pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement with the Trust, PEPCO (the "Distributor"), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of The Phoenix Companies, Inc. ("PNX") and an affiliate and the sole owner of PIC, serves as distributor of the Funds. As such, the Distributor conducts a continuous offering pursuant to a "best efforts" arrangement requiring it to take and pay for only such securities as may be sold to the public. Shares of the Funds may be purchased through investment dealers who have sales agreements with the Distributor. The address of the Distributor is One American Row, P.O. Box 5056, Hartford, Connecticut 06102-5056.
For its services under the Underwriting Agreement, PEPCO receives sales charges on transactions in Trust shares and retains such charges, less the portion thereof allowed to its registered representatives and to securities dealers and securities brokers with whom it has sales agreements. In addition, PEPCO may receive payments from the Trust pursuant to the Distribution Plans described below. During the fiscal years 2004, 2005 and 2006, purchasers of shares of the Funds paid aggregate sales charges of $37,814, $818,853 and $987,518, respectively, of which the Distributor received net commissions of $13,807, $114,170 and $176,572, respectively, for its services, the balance being paid to dealers. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, the Distributor received net commissions of $119,216 for Class A Shares and deferred sales charges of $6,070 for Class B Shares and $51,286 for Class C Shares.
The Underwriting Agreement may be terminated at any time on not more than 60 days written notice, without payment of a penalty, by the Distributor, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds, or by vote of a majority of the Trust's Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Trust and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Plans or in any related agreements. The Underwriting Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its "assignment," as defined in Section 2(a)(4) of the 1940 Act.
DEALER CONCESSIONS
Dealers with whom the Distributor has entered into sales agreements receive a
discount or commission on purchases of Class A Shares as set forth below.
AMOUNT OF SALES CHARGE AS SALES CHARGE AS DEALER DISCOUNT
TRANSACTION PERCENTAGE OF PERCENTAGE OF OR AGENCY FEE AS
AT OFFERING PRICE OFFERING PRICE AMOUNT INVESTED PERCENTAGE OF OFFERING PRICE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Less than $50,000 5.75% 6.10% 5.00%
$50,000 but under $100,000 4.75% 4.99% 4.25%
$100,000 but under $250,000 3.75% 3.90% 3.25%
$250,000 but under $500,000 2.75% 2.83% 2.25%
$500,000 but under $1,000,000 2.00% 2.04% 1.75%
$1,000,000 or more None None None
|
In addition to the dealer discount on purchases of Class A Shares, the Distributor intends to pay investment dealers a sales commission of 4% of the sale price of Class B shares and a sales commission of 1% of the sale price of Class C Shares sold by such dealers. This sales commission will not be paid to dealers for sales of the Class B Shares or Class C Shares purchased by 401(k) participants of the Merrill Lynch Daily K Plan due to a waiver of the CDSC for these Plan participants' purchases. Your broker, dealer or financial advisor may also charge you additional commissions or fees for their services in selling shares to you provided they notify the Distributor of their intention to do so.
Dealers and other entities who enter into special arrangements with the
Distributor may receive compensation for the sale and promotion of shares of the
Funds and/or for providing other shareholder services. Such fees are in addition
to the sales commissions referenced above and may be used based upon the amount
of sales of fund shares by a dealer; the provision of assistance in marketing of
fund shares; access to sales personnel and information dissemination services;
provision of recordkeeping and administrative services to qualified employee
benefit plans; and other criteria as established by the Distributor. Depending
on the nature of the services, these fees may be paid either from the Funds
through distribution fees, service fees or transfer agent fees or in some cases,
the Distributor may pay certain fees from its own profits and resources. From
its own profits and resources, the Distributor does intend to: (a) from time to
time pay special incentive and retention fees to qualified wholesalers,
registered financial institutions and third party marketers; (b) pay
broker-dealers an amount equal to 1% of the first $3 million of Class A Share
purchases by an account held in the name of a qualified employee benefit plan
with at least 100 eligible employees, 0.50% on the next $3 million, plus 0.25%
on the amount in excess of $6 million; and (c) excluding purchases as described
in (b) above, pay broker-dealers an amount equal to 1.00% of the amount of Class
A Shares sold from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000, 0.50% on amounts of $3,000,001 to
$10,000,000 and 0.25% on amounts greater than $10,000,000. For purchases prior
to January 11, 2006, if part or all of such investment described in (b) and (c)
above, including investments by qualified employee benefit plans, is
subsequently redeemed within one year of the investment date, the broker-dealer
will refund to the Distributor such amounts paid with respect to the investment.
Beginning January 11, 2006, if part or all of such investment as described in
(b) and (c) above, including investments by qualified employee benefit plans, is
subsequently redeemed within one year, a 1% CDSC may apply, except for
redemptions of shares purchased on which a finder's fee has been paid where such
investor's dealer of record, due to the nature of the investor's account,
notifies the Distributor prior to the time of the investment that the dealer
waives the finder's fee otherwise payable to the dealer, or agrees to receive
such finder's fee ratably over a 12-month period. For purposes of determining
the applicability of the CDSC, the one-year period begins on the last day of the
month preceding the month in which the purchase was made. In addition, the
Distributor may pay the entire applicable sales charge on purchases of Class A
shares to selected dealers and agents. Any dealer who receives more than 90% of
a sales charge may be deemed to be an "underwriter" under the Securities Act of
1933 (the "1933 Act"). PEPCO reserves the right to discontinue or alter such fee
payment plans at any time.
From its own resources or pursuant to the Trust's Distribution Plan, and subject to the dealers' prior approval, the Distributor may provide additional compensation to registered representatives of dealers in the form of travel expenses, meals, and lodging associated with training and educational meetings sponsored by the Distributor. The Distributor may also provide gifts amounting in value to less than $100, and occasional meals or entertainment, to registered representatives of dealers. Any such travel expenses, meals, lodging, gifts or entertainment paid will not be preconditioned upon the registered representatives' or dealers' achievement of a sales target. The Distributor may, from time-to-time, reallow the entire portion of the sales charge on Class A shares which it normally retains to individual selling dealers. However, such additional reallowance generally will be made only when the selling dealer commits to substantial marketing support such as internal wholesaling through dedicated personnel, internal communications and mass mailings.
The Distributor has agreed to pay fees to certain distributors for preferred marketing opportunities. These arrangements may be viewed as creating a conflict of interest between these distributors and investors. Investors should make due inquiry of their selling agents to ensure that they are receiving the requisite point of sale disclosures and suitable recommendations free of any influence by reason of these arrangements.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Effective July 1, 2006, PEPCO also acts as administrative agent ("Administrator") of the Trust and as such performs administrative, bookkeeping and pricing functions for the Funds. For its services as Administrator, PEPCO receives an administration fee based upon the average net assets across all non-money market Phoenix Funds within the Phoenix Funds Complex at the following incremental annual rates.
First $5 billion 0.09% $5 billion to $15 billion 0.08% Greater than $15 billion 0.07% |
For the money market Funds, the fee is 0.035% of the average net assets across all Phoenix money market Funds within the Phoenix Funds Complex.
Until June 30, 2006, PEPCO served as Financial Agent to the Trust. PEPCO received a financial agent fee equal to the sum of (1) the documented cost to PEPCO to provide oversight of the performance of PFPC Inc. (subagent to PEPCO) ("PFPC"), plus (2) the documented cost of fund accounting, tax services and related services provided by PFPC.
For its services to the Funds for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2004, 2005 and 2006, PEPCO received fees totaling $107,660, $136,651 and $399,831, respectively.
DISTRIBUTION PLANS
The Trust has adopted a distribution plan for each class of shares (i.e., a plan for the Class A Shares, a plan for the Class B Shares of the Worldwide Strategies Fund, and a plan for the Class C Shares, collectively, the "Plans") in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to compensate the Distributor for the services it provides and for the expenses it bears under the Underwriting Agreement. Each class of shares pays a service fee at a rate of 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets of such class of the Fund and a distribution fee based on average daily net assets at the rates of 0.75% per annum for Class B Shares and 0.75% per annum for Class C Shares.
From the Service Fee the Distributor expects to pay a quarterly fee to qualifying broker-dealer firms, as compensation for providing personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts, with respect to shares sold by such firms. In the case of shares of the Funds being sold to an affiliated fund of funds, fees payable under the Plans shall be paid to the distributor of the fund of funds. This fee will not exceed on an annual basis 0.25% of the average annual net asset value of such shares, and will be in addition to sales charges on Fund shares which are reallowed to such firms. To the extent that the entire amount of the Service Fee is not paid to such firms, the balance will serve as compensation for personal and account maintenance services furnished by the Distributor.
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 the Funds paid Rule 12b-1 Fees in the amount of $1,573,364 of which the Distributor received $1,229,505 and unaffiliated broker-dealers received $343,859. The Rule 12b-1 payments were used for (1) compensation to dealers, $1,419,047; (2) compensation to sales personnel, $734,595; (3) advertising, $148,177; (4) service costs, $73,568; (5) printing and mailing of prospectuses to other than current shareholders, $11,046; and (6) other, $98,716.
On a quarterly basis, the Trust's Trustees review a report on expenditures under the Plans and the purposes for which expenditures were made. The Trustees conduct an additional, more extensive review annually in determining whether the Plans will be continued. By their terms, continuation of the Plans from year to year is contingent on annual approval by a majority of the Trust's Trustees and by a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans or any related agreements (the "Plan Trustees"). The Plans provide that they may not be amended to increase materially the costs which the Funds may bear pursuant to the Plans without approval of the shareholders of the Funds and that other material amendments to the Plans must be approved by a majority of the Plan Trustees by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such amendments. The Plans further provide that while they are in effect, the selection and nomination of Trustees who are not "interested persons" shall be committed to the discretion of the Trustees who are not "interested persons." The Plans may be terminated at any time by vote of a majority of the Plan Trustees or a majority of the outstanding shares of the Funds. The Trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable likelihood that the Plans will benefit the Funds and all classes of shareholders.
No interested person of the Funds and no Trustee who is not an interested person of the Funds, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, had any direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans.
The Board of Trustees has also adopted a Plan pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act permitting the issuance of shares in multiple classes.
The NASD regards certain distribution fees as asset-based sales charges subject to NASD sales load limits. The NASD's maximum sales charge rule may require the Trustees to suspend distribution fees or amend the Plans.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
The Trust is an open-end management investment company known as a mutual fund. The Trustees of the Trust ("Trustees") are responsible for the overall supervision of the Trust and perform the various duties imposed on Trustees by the 1940 Act and Delaware statutory trust law.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
The Trustees are responsible for the overall supervision of the Funds, including establishing the Funds' policies, general supervision and review of their investment activities. The officers who administer the Funds' daily operations, are appointed by the Board of Trustees. The current Trustees and officers of the Trust performing a policy-making function and their affiliations and principal occupations for the past five years are set forth below. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each individual is 56 Prospect Street, Hartford, Connecticut 06115-0480. There is no stated term of office for Trustees of the Trust.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND COMPLEX PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(s)
NAME, ADDRESS AND LENGTH OF OVERSEEN BY DURING PAST 5 YEARS AND
DATE OF BIRTH TIME SERVED TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE
------------- ----------- ------- -----------------------------------
E. Virgil Conway Served since 67 Chairman, Rittenhouse Advisors, LLC (consulting firm)
Rittenhouse Advisors, LLC 1988. (2001-present). Trustee/Director, Phoenix Funds Complex
101 Park Avenue (1983-present). Trustee/Director, Realty Foundation of New
New York, NY 10178 York (1972-present), Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation (Honorary)
DOB: 8/2/29 (2004-present), Pace University (Director/Trustee Emeritus)
(2003-present), Greater New York Councils, Boy Scouts of
America (1985-present), The Academy of Political Science
(Vice Chairman) (1985-present), Urstadt Biddle Property Corp.
(1989-present), Colgate University (Trustee Emeritus)
(2004-present). Director/Trustee, The Harlem Youth
Development Foundation, (Chairman) (1998-2002), Metropolitan
Transportation Authority (Chairman) (1992-2001), Trism, Inc.
(1994-2001), Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc.
(1970-2002), Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company (1974-2002),
Centennial Insurance Company (1974-2002), Union Pacific Corp.
(1978-2002), BlackRock Freddie Mac Mortgage Securities Fund
(Advisory Director) (1990-2000), Accuhealth (1994-2002), Pace
University (1978-2003), New York Housing Partnership
Development Corp. (Chairman) (1981-2003), Josiah Macy, Jr.
Foundation (1975-2004).
Harry Dalzell-Payne Served since 67 Retired. Trustee/Director, Phoenix Funds Complex
The Flat, Elmore Court 1988. (1983-present).
Elmore, GL05, GL2 3NT
U.K.
DOB: 8/9/29
Francis E. Jeffries Served since 68 Director, The Empire District Electric Company (1984-2004).
8477 Bay Colony Dr. #902 1995. Trustee/Director, Phoenix Funds Complex (1987-present).
Naples, FL 34108
DOB: 9/23/30
Leroy Keith, Jr. Served since 65 Partner, Stonington Partners, Inc. (private equity fund)
Stonington Partners, Inc. 1993. (2001-present). Director/Trustee, Evergreen Funds (six
736 Market Street, Ste. 1430 portfolios). Trustee, Phoenix Funds Family (1980-present).
Chattanooga, TN 37402 Director, Diversapak (2002-present), Obaji Medical Products
DOB: 2/14/39 Company (2002-present). Director, Lincoln Educational
Services (2002-2004). Chairman, Carson Products Company
(cosmetics) (1998-2000).
|
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS
IN FUND COMPLEX PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME, ADDRESS AND LENGTH OF OVERSEEN BY DURING PAST 5 YEARS AND
DATE OF BIRTH TIME SERVED TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE
------------- ----------- ------- -----------------------------------
Geraldine M. McNamara Served since 67 Retired. Trustee/Director, Phoenix Funds Complex
40 East 88th Street 2001. (2001-present). Managing Director, U.S. Trust Company of New
New York, NY 10128 York (private bank) (1982-2006).
DOB: 4/17/51
James M. Oates* Served since 65 Chairman, Hudson Castle Group, Inc. (Formerly IBEX Capital
c/o Northeast Partners 1993. Markets, Inc.) (financial services) (1997-present).
150 Federal Street, Ste. 1000 Trustee/Director, Phoenix Funds Family (1987-present).
Boston, MA 02109 Managing Director, Wydown Group (consulting firm)
DOB: 5/31/46 (1994-present). Director, Investors Financial Service
Corporation (1995-present), Investors Bank & Trust
Corporation (1995-present), Stifel Financial (1996-present),
Connecticut River Bancorp (1998-present), Connecticut River
Bank (1999-present), Trust Company of New Hampshire
(2002-present). Chairman, Emerson Investment Management,
Inc. (2000-present). Independent Chairman, John Hancock
Trust (since 2005), Trustee, John Hancock Funds II and John
Hancock Funds III (since 2005). Trustee, John Hancock Trust
(2004-2005). Director/Trustee, AIB Govett Funds (six
portfolios) (1991-2000), Command Systems, Inc. (1998-2000),
Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd. (1995-2001), 1Mind, Inc.
(formerly 1Mind.com) (2000-2002), Plymouth Rubber Co.
(1995-2003). Director and Treasurer, Endowment for Health,
Inc. (2000-2004).
Richard E. Segerson Served since 65 Managing Director, Northway Management Company
73 Briggs Way 1988. (1998-present). Trustee, Phoenix Funds Family (1983-present).
Chatham, MA 02633
DOB: 2/16/46
|
* Mr. Oates is a Director and Chairman of the Board and a shareholder of Hudson Castle Group, Inc. (formerly IBEX Capital Markets, Inc.) ("Hudson"), a privately owned financial services firm. Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd., an affiliate of the adviser, owns approximately 1% of the common stock of Hudson and Phoenix Life Insurance Company ("Phoenix Life") also an affiliate, owns approximately 8% of Hudson's common stock.
INTERESTED TRUSTEES
Each of the individuals listed below is an "interested person" of the Trust, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS IN
FUND COMPLEX PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME, ADDRESS, POSITION(S) LENGTH OF TIME OVERSEEN BY DURING PAST 5 YEARS AND
WITH TRUST AND DATE OF BIRTH SERVED TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE
---------------------------- ------ ------- -----------------------------------
Marilyn E. LaMarche* Served since 65 Limited Managing Director, Lazard Freres & Co. LLC
Lazard Freres & Co. LLC 2002. (1997-present). Trustee/Director, Phoenix Funds Family
30 Rockefeller Plaza, (2002-present). Director, The Phoenix Companies, Inc.
59th Floor (2001-2005) and Phoenix Life Insurance Company
New York, NY 10020 (1989-2005).
Trustee
DOB: 5/11/34
|
NUMBER OF
PORTFOLIOS IN
FUND COMPLEX PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
NAME, ADDRESS, POSITION(S) LENGTH OF TIME OVERSEEN BY DURING PAST 5 YEARS AND
WITH TRUST AND DATE OF BIRTH SERVED TRUSTEE OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE
---------------------------- ------ ------- -----------------------------------
Philip R. McLoughlin** Served since 85 Director, PXRE Corporation (Reinsurance) (1985-present),
200 Bridge Street 1993. World Trust Fund (1991-present). Trustee/Director,
Chatham, MA 02633 Phoenix Funds Complex (1989-present). Management
Chairman Consultant (2002-2004), Chairman (1997-2002), Chief
DOB: 10/23/46 Executive Officer (1995-2002) and Director (1995-2002),
Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd. Director and Executive
Vice President, The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (2000-2002).
Director (1994-2002) and Executive Vice President,
Investments (1987-2002), Phoenix Life Insurance Company.
Director (1983-2002) and Chairman (1995-2002), Phoenix
Investment Counsel, Inc. Director (1982-2002), Chairman
(2000-2002) and President (1990-2000), Phoenix Equity
Planning Corporation. Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, Phoenix/Zweig Advisers LLC (1999-2002).
Director (2001-2002) and President (April 2002-September
2002), Phoenix Investment Management Company. Director
and Executive Vice President, Phoenix Life and Annuity
Company (1996-2002). Director (1995-2000) and Executive
Vice President (1994-2002) and Chief Investment Counsel
(1994-2002), PHL Variable Insurance Company. Director,
Phoenix National Trust Holding Company (2001-2002).
Director (1985-2002) and Vice President (1986-2002) and
Executive Vice President (April 2002-September 2002), PM
Holdings, Inc. Director, WS Griffith Associates, Inc.
(1995-2002). Director, WS Griffith Securities, Inc.
(1992-2002).
|
* Ms. LaMarche is an "interested person," as defined in the 1940 Act, by reason of her former position as Director of The Phoenix Companies, Inc. and Phoenix Life Insurance Company.
** Mr. McLoughlin is an "interested person," as defined in the 1940 Act, by reason of his former relationship with Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd., and its affiliates.
OFFICERS OF THE TRUST WHO ARE NOT TRUSTEES
POSITION(S) HELD
NAME, ADDRESS AND WITH TRUST AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DATE OF BIRTH LENGTH OF TIME SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS
------------- --------------------- -------------------
Daniel T. Geraci President since Executive Vice President, Asset Management, The Phoenix Companies,
DOB: 6/12/57 2004. Inc. (2003-present). Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer, Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd. (2003-present). President,
Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation (2005-present). President, DPCM
Holding, Inc. (2005-present). President, Capital West Asset
Management, LLC (2005-present). Director and President, Phoenix
Investment Counsel, Inc. (2003-present). Director, Pasadena Capital
Corporation (2003-present). President, Euclid Advisers, LLC
(2003-present). Director and Chairman, PXP Institutional Markets
Group, Ltd. (2003-present). Director and President, Rutherford
Financial Corporation (2003-present). Director, DPCM Holding, Inc.
(2003-present). President, Phoenix Zweig Advisers, LLC (2003-present).
Director and Chairman, Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation
(2003-present). Director and Chairman, Duff & Phelps Investment
Management Company (2003-present). Director, Capital West Asset
Management, LLC (2003-present). Chief Executive Officer and President,
The Zweig Fund, Inc. and The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc.
(2004-present). President, the Phoenix Funds Family (2004-present).
Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation
(2003-2005). President and Chief Executive Officer of North American
investment operations, Pioneer Investment Management USA, Inc.
(2001-2003). President of Private Wealth Management Group & Fidelity
Brokerage Company, Fidelity Investments (1996-2001).
George R. Aylward Executive Vice Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Asset Management,
President since The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (2004-present). Executive Vice President
2004. and Chief Operating Officer, Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd.
(2004-present). Vice President, Phoenix Life Insurance Company
(2002-2004). Vice President, The Phoenix Companies, Inc. (2001-2004).
Vice President, Finance, Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd.
(2001-2002). Assistant Controller, Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd.
(1996-2001). Executive Vice President, certain funds within the
Phoenix Funds Family (2004-present).
Francis G. Waltman Senior Vice Senior Vice President, Asset Management, The Phoenix Companies, Inc.
DOB: 7/27/62 President since (since 2006). Senior Vice President, Asset Management Product
2004. Development, Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd. (2005-present). Senior
Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Phoenix Investment
Partners, Ltd. (2003-2004). Senior Vice President and Chief
Administrative Officer, Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation (1999-2003).
Senior Vice President, certain funds within the Phoenix Funds Family
(2004-present).
Marc Baltuch Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, Zweig-DiMenna Associates LLC (1989-present).
900 Third Avenue Chief Compliance Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer, certain funds within the
New York, NY 10022 Officer since 2004. Phoenix Funds Complex (2004-present). Vice President, The Zweig Total
DOB: 9/23/45 Return Fund, Inc. and The Zweig Fund, Inc. (2004-present). President
and Director, Watermark Securities, Inc. (1991-present). Assistant
Secretary, Gotham Advisors Inc. (1990-present). Secretary,
Phoenix-Zweig Trust (1989-2003). Secretary, Phoenix-Euclid Market
Neutral Fund (1999-2002).
|
POSITION(S) HELD
NAME, ADDRESS AND WITH TRUST AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DATE OF BIRTH LENGTH OF TIME SERVED DURING PAST 5 YEARS
------------- --------------------- -------------------
Kevin J. Carr Vice President, Vice President and Counsel, Phoenix Life Insurance Company (May
One American Row Counsel, Chief Legal 2005-present). Vice President, Counsel, Chief Legal Officer and
Hartford, CT 06102 Officer and Secretary, certain funds within the Phoenix Funds Complex (May
DOB: 8/30/54 Secretary since 2005. 2005-present). Compliance Officer of Investments and Counsel,
Travelers Life & Annuity Company (January 2005-May 2005). Assistant
General Counsel, The Hartford Financial Services Group (1999-2005).
W. Patrick Bradley Chief Financial Second Vice President, Fund Administration, Phoenix Equity Planning
DOB: 3/2/72 Officer and Corporation (2004-present). Financial Officer and Treasurer
Treasurer since 2006. (2006-present) or Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
(2005-present), certain funds within the Phoenix Funds Family. Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Principal Accounting
Officer, The Phoenix Edge Series Fund (since 2006). Assistant Treasurer,
certain funds within the Phoenix Funds Complex (2004-2006). Senior
Manager (2002-2004), Manager (2000-2002), Audit, Deloitte & Touche, LLP.
|
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Board of Trustees has established several standing committees to oversee
particular aspects of the Funds' management.
The Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is responsible for overseeing the Funds' accounting and auditing policies and practices. The Audit Committee reviews the Funds' financial reporting procedures, their system of internal control, the independent audit process, and the Funds' procedures for monitoring compliance with investment restrictions and applicable laws and regulations and with the Code of Ethics. The Audit Committee is composed entirely of Independent Trustees; its members are E. Virgil Conway, Harry Dalzell-Payne, Francis E. Jeffries, Geraldine M. McNamara, James M. Oates, and Richard E. Segerson. The Committee met four times during the Trust's last fiscal year.
The Executive and Compliance Committee. The function of the Executive and Compliance Committee is to serve as a contract review, compliance review and performance review delegate of the full Board of Trustees, as well as to act on behalf of the Board when it is not in session, subject to limitations as set by the Board. Its members are E. Virgil Conway, Harry Dalzell-Payne, Leroy Keith, Jr., Philip R. McLoughlin, Geraldine M. McNamara and James M. Oates Each of the members is an independent trustee, except Mr. McLoughlin, who is an interested trustee. The committee met 12 times during the Trust's last fiscal year.
The Governance and Nominating Committee. The Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for developing and maintaining governance principles applicable to the Funds, for nominating individuals to serve as Trustees, including as Independent Trustees and annually evaluating the Board and Committees. The Governance and Nominating Committee is composed entirely of Independent Trustees; its members are E. Virgil Conway, Harry Dalzell-Payne, Leroy Keith, Jr., Geraldine M. McNamara and Ferdinand L.J. Verdonck. Ferdinand L.J. Verdonck is a Consulting Committee member of the Governance and Nominating Committee. The Committee met four times during the Trust's last fiscal year.
The Board has adopted a policy for consideration of Trustee nominees recommended by shareholders. With regards to such policy, an individual shareholder submitting a nomination must hold for at least one full year 5% of the shares of a series of the Trust. Shareholder nominees for Trustee will be given the same consideration as any other candidate provided the nominee meets certain minimum requirements.
CONSULTING COMMITTEE
The Trust has established a Consulting Committee consisting of those
individuals who accepted the Board's invitation to become a member. The
Consulting Committee provides consultation to the Board in connection with fund
governance and related matters, as appropriate, in the course of the Board's
deliberations. Committee members serve at the discretion of the Board. The
Committee members receive a retainer, plus reasonable expenses incurred in the
performance of the required services. The Consulting Committee does not meet
independently from the Board, and its members attend only those Board meetings
to which they are invited by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees. The current
Consulting Committee member and his business affiliations for the past five
years are set forth below.
NUMBER OF FUNDS
IN COMPLEX
TERM OF OFFICE OVERSEEN BY
NAME, ADDRESS AND AND LENGTH OF CONSULTING PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS AND
DATE OF BIRTH TIME SERVED COMMITTEE MEMBER OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE
------------- ----------- ---------------- -----------------------------------
Ferdinand L.J. Verdonck Served since 34 Director, Banco Urquijo (Chairman) (1998-present).
Nederpolder, 7 2004. Trustee, Phoenix Funds Family (2002-present).
B-9000 Gent, Belgium Director, EASDAQ (Chairman) (2001-present), The JP
DOB: 7/30/42 Morgan Fleming Continental European Investment Trust
(1998-present), Groupe SNEF (1998-present), Degussa
Antwerpen N.V. (1998-present), Santens N.V.
(1999-present). Managing Director, Almanij N.V.
(1992-2003). Director, KBC Bank and Insurance
Holding Company (Euronext) (1992-2003), KBC Bank
(1992-2003), KBC Insurance (1992-2003), Kredietbank,
S.A. Luxembourgeoise (1992-2003), Investco N.V.
(1992-2003), Gevaert N.V. (1992-2003), Fidea N.V.
(1992-2003), Almafin N.V. (1992-2003), Centea N.V.
(1992-2003), Dutch Chamber of Commerce for Belgium
and Luxemburg (1995-2001), Phoenix Investment
Partners, Ltd. (1995-2001).
|
COMPENSATION
Trustees who are not interested persons of the Adviser or any of its affiliates receive an annual retainer and fees and expenses for attendance at Board and Committee meetings. Officers and employees of the Adviser of the Funds who are interested persons are compensated for their services by the Adviser of the Funds, or an affiliate of the Adviser of the Funds, and receive no compensation from the Funds. The Trust does not have any retirement plan for its Trustees.
For the Trust's fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, the Trustees received the following compensation:
TOTAL COMPENSATION
FROM TRUST AND
AGGREGATE FUND COMPLEX
COMPENSATION (85 FUNDS)
NAME OF TRUSTEE FROM TRUST PAID TO TRUSTEES
--------------- ---------- ----------------
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
--------------------
E. Virgil Conway $12,344.61 $193,750.02
Harry Dalzell-Payne $11,864.52 $188,250.01
Francis E. Jeffries $8,295.40* $152,750.00
Leroy Keith, Jr. $8,037.39 $91,723.36
Geraldine M. McNamara $11,864.52* $187,500.01
James M. Oates $11,249.49 $129,861.65
Richard E. Segerson $8,295.40* $95,750.00
INTERESTED TRUSTEES
-------------------
Marilyn E. LaMarche $6,767.34 $78,250.00
Philip R. McLoughlin $16,876.65 $285,816.85
CONSULTING COMMITTEE
--------------------
Ferdinand L.J. Verdonck $7,476.27 $86,000.00
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TRUSTEE OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
Set forth in the table below is the dollar range of equity securities owned by each Trustee as of December 31, 2005:
AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE OF
TRUSTEE OWNERSHIP IN ALL
DOLLAR RANGE OF EQUITY FUNDS OVERSEEN
SECURITIES IN THE TRUST'S BY TRUSTEE IN FAMILY OF
NAME OF TRUSTEE FUND INVESTMENT COMPANIES
--------------- ---- --------------------
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
--------------------
E. Virgil Conway None Over $100,000
Harry Dalzell-Payne None None
Francis E. Jeffries None Over $100,000
Leroy Keith, Jr. None $1 - $10,000
Geraldine M. McNamara None Over $100,000
James M. Oates Total Value Fund - $50,001 - $100,00 Over $100,000
Richard E. Segerson None Over $100,000
INTERESTED TRUSTEES
-------------------
Marilyn E. LaMarche None None
Philip R. McLoughlin None Over $100,000
CONSULTING COMMITTEE
--------------------
Ferdinand L.J. Verdonck None None
|
On October 10, 2006, the Trustees and officers of the Funds beneficially owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of any of the Funds.
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth information as of October 10, 2006 with respect to each person who owns of record or is known by the Trust to own of record or beneficially own 5% or more of any class of the Fund's equity securities:
PERCENTAGE NUMBER
NAME OF SHAREHOLDER CLASS OF SHARES OF CLASS OF SHARES
------------------- --------------- -------- ---------
Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. Mid-Cap Value
House Account Class A 12.11% 600,447.901
XXXXXXX1250
Attn: Peter Booth, 7th Floor
333 West 34th Street
New York, NY 10001-2402
First Clearing Corporation Pathfinder
A/C XXXX-3442 Class A 16.31% 3,611.504
FCC as Custodian
45 Francovich Court
Reno, NV 89519-7920
MLPF&S for the Sole Benefit of its Mid-Cap Value
Customers Class A 8.66% 880,691.107
Attn: Fund Administration Mid-Cap Value
4800 Deer Lake Drive E 3rd Fl. Class C 32.64% 1,618,394.531
Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 Pathfinder
Class C 19.90% 4,404.815
Worldwide Strategies
Class B 5.70% 30,862.112
Worldwide Strategies
Class C 15.05% 27,398.338
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PERCENTAGE NUMBER
NAME OF SHAREHOLDER CLASS OF SHARES OF CLASS OF SHARES
------------------- --------------- -------- ---------
NFS LLC FEBO Pathfinder
FMT Co. Cust. IRA Rollover Class A 5.55% 25,541.776
FBO Richard A. Powell
113 Prospect Avenue
Sausalito, CA 94965-2332
Pershing LLC Pathfinder
P.O. Box 2052 Class A 8.99% 1,991.025
Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052
Phoenix Life Insurance Company Pathfinder
c/o Matthew Pagliaro Class A 41.42% 190,689.216
One American Row 3rd Fl. Pathfinder
Hartford, CT 06103-2833 Class C 45.19% 10,004.902
Total Value
Class A 22.51% 571,595.560
Total Value
Class C 84.64% 30,000.000
Phoenix Wealth Builder PHOLIO Total Value
Attn: Chris Wilkos Class A 51.79% 1,314,910.131
Shareholder Services Dept.
c/o Phoenix Equity Planning
101 Munson St.
Greenfield, MA 01301-9684
Phoenix Wealth Guardian PHOLIO Total Value
Attn: Chris Wilkos Class A 19.76% 501,571.272
Shareholder Services Dept.
c/o Phoenix Equity Planning
101 Munson St.
Greenfield, MA 01301-9684
Sales Marketing Services LLC Pathfinder
P.O. Box 735 Class A 15.03% 69,167.484
Bentonville, AR 72712-0735
State Street Bank & Trust Co. Worldwide Strategies
Cust. For the IRA of Class C 8.23% 14,973.136
Donald E. Carr
15922 Rosewood Court
Clive, IA 50325-7924
UBS Financial Services Inc. FBO Total Value
Annie Schiller Ttee. FBO Class C 8.89% 3,149.225
Joseph Chaikel Irrev. Trust
UAD 06/07/1983
59 Archer Drive
Bronxville, NY 10708-4601
UBS Financial Services Inc. FBO Total Value
James L. Adams Class C 6.47% 2,293.578
Kathleen Dolin Adams
168 Plantation Circle South
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082-3930
|
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CAPITAL STOCK AND ORGANIZATION
The Trust was originally incorporated in New York in 1956 and on January 13,
1992 was reorganized as a Massachusetts business trust under the name of
"National Worldwide Opportunities Fund." The Trust's name was changed on June
30, 1993 to "Phoenix Worldwide Opportunities Fund" to reflect the purchase of
the former adviser by The Phoenix Companies, Inc. and the affiliation with the
other Phoenix Funds. Effective December 16, 1998, the Trust's name was changed
to Phoenix-Aberdeen Worldwide Opportunities Fund. The Trust was reorganized as a
Delaware statutory trust in October 2000. Effective June 28, 2004, the Trust
changed its name to Phoenix Equity Trust.
The capitalization of the Trust consists solely of an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest. The Trust currently offers shares in five series which have different classes. Holders of shares of each Fund have equal rights with regard to voting, redemptions, dividends, distributions, and liquidations with respect to that Fund. Shareholders vote on the election of Trustees. On matters affecting an individual class (such as approval of matters relating to a Plan of Distribution for a particular class of shares), a separate vote of that class is required. The Trust does not hold regular meetings of shareholders. The Trustees will call a meeting when at least 10% of the outstanding shares so request in writing. If the Trustees fail to call a meeting after being so notified, the shareholders may call the meeting. The Trustees will assist the shareholders by identifying other shareholders or mailing communications, as required under Section 16(c) of the 1940 Act.
Shares are fully paid, no assessable, redeemable and fully transferable when they are issued. Shares do not have cumulative voting rights, preemptive rights or subscription rights. The assets received by the Trust for the issue or sale of shares of the Funds, and any class thereof and all income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, are allocated to the Funds, and classes, respectively, subject only to the rights of creditors, and constitute the underlying assets of the Funds or classes. The underlying assets of the Funds are required to be segregated on the books of account, and are to be charged with the expenses in respect to the Funds and with a share of the general expenses of the Trust. Any general expenses of the Trust not readily identifiable as belonging to a particular class will be allocated by or under the direction of the Trustees as they determine fair and equitable.
Under Delaware law, shareholders of a Delaware statutory trust are entitled to the same limitation of personal liability extended to stockholders of Delaware corporations. As a result, to the extent that the Trust or a shareholder is subject to the jurisdiction of a court that does not apply Delaware law, there is a possibility that the shareholders of a statutory trust such as the Trust may be personally liable for debts or claims against the Trust. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that shareholders shall not be subject to any personal liability for the acts or obligations of the Trust. The Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of the Trust property for all losses and expenses of any shareholder held personally liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability, which is considered remote, is limited to circumstances in which a court refuses to apply Delaware law and the Trust itself would be unable to meet its obligations.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 125 High Street, Boston MA 02110, serves as the
independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP audits the Funds' annual financial statements and
expresses an opinion thereon.
CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER AGENT
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 serves as custodian of the Funds' assets.
Pursuant to a Transfer Agent and Service Agreement with the Phoenix Funds, PEPCO, located at One American Row, P.O. Box 5056, Hartford, CT 06102-5056, acts as Transfer Agent for the Funds (the "Transfer Agent"). As compensation, PEPCO receives a fee equivalent to $16.95 for each designated shareholder account plus out-of-pocket expenses. The Transfer Agent is authorized to engage subagents to perform certain shareholder servicing functions from time to time for which such agents shall be paid a fee by the Funds or Transfer Agent. Fees paid by the Funds, in addition to the fee paid to PEPCO, will be reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees.
REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS
The fiscal year of the Funds ends on June 30. The Trust will send financial statements to its shareholders at least semiannually. An annual report, containing financial statements audited by the Trust's independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, will be sent to shareholders each year and is available without charge upon request.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements for the Funds' fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 appearing in the Funds' 2006 Annual Report to Shareholders are incorporated herein by reference.
PHOENIX EQUITY TRUST
PART C -- OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 23. EXHIBITS
a. Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Registrant, dated
August 17, 2000, filed via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment
No. 69 (File No. 002-16590) on October 30, 2000 and
incorporated herein by reference.
b.1.* Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant dated November
16, 2005, filed via EDGAR herewith.
b.2.* Amendment No. 1 to the Amended and Restated By-Laws of the
Registrant, dated August 23, 2006, filed via EDGAR herewith.
c. Reference is made to Registrant's Agreement and Declaration of
Trust. See Exhibit a.
d.1. Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement between
Registrant and Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. ("PIC")
effective November 20, 2002, filed via EDGAR with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 (File No. 002-16590) on
October 28, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference.
d.2. First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Investment
Advisory Agreement between Registrant and PIC, made as of
October 21, 2004, filed via EDGAR with Post-Effective
Amendment No. 79 (File No. 002-16590) on October 21, 2004 and
incorporated herein by reference.
d.3. Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Investment
Advisory Agreement between Registrant and PIC dated July 29,
2005, filed via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 83
(File No. 002-16590) on October 25, 2005 and incorporated
herein by reference.
d.4. Subadvisory Agreement between PIC and Sasco Capital, Inc.
("Sasco") dated October 21, 2004, on behalf of the Phoenix
Mid-Cap Value Fund ("Mid-Cap Value Fund"), filed via EDGAR
with Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 (File No. 002-16590) on
October 21, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.
d.5. Subadvisory Agreement between PIC and Acadian Asset
Management, Inc. ("Acadian"), dated July 1, 2005, on behalf of
the Worldwide Strategies Fund filed via EDGAR with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 (File No. 002-16590) on
October 25, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
d.6. Subadvisory Agreement between PIC and New Star Institutional
Managers Limited ("New Star"), dated July 1, 2005, on behalf
of the Worldwide Strategies Fund filed via EDGAR with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 (File No. 002-16590) on July
22, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
d.7. Subadvisory Agreement between PIC and Acadian, dated July 29,
2005, on behalf of the Phoenix Pathfinder Fund filed via EDGAR
with Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 (File No. 002-16590) on
October 25, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
d.8. Subadvisory Agreement between PIC and Acadian, dated July 29,
2005, on behalf of the Phoenix Total Value Fund filed via
EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 (File No.
002-16590) on October 25, 2005 and incorporated herein by
reference.
d.9. Subadvisory Agreement between PIC and Golden Capital
Management, LLC ("Golden"), dated July 29, 2005, on behalf of
the Phoenix Total Value Fund filed via EDGAR with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 (File No. 002-16590) on
October 25, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
|
d.10. Subadvisory Agreement between PIC and Harris Investment
Management, Inc. ("Harris"), dated July 29, 2005, on behalf of
the Phoenix Total Value Fund filed via EDGAR with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 (File No. 002-16590) on
October 25, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
d.11.* First Amendment to Subadvisory Agreement between PIC and
Sasco, dated September 1, 2006, filed via EDGAR herewith.
e.1. Underwriting Agreement between Registrant and Phoenix Equity
Planning Corporation ("PEPCO"), made as of November 19, 1997,
filed as Exhibit 6.1 via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment
No. 64 (File No. 002-16590) on October 6, 1998 and
incorporated herein by reference.
e.2.* Sales Agreement between PEPCO and dealers, effective June,
2006 filed via EDGAR herewith.
f. Form of Deferred Compensation Plan applicable to the Board of
Trustees filed via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 80
(File No. 002-16590) on May 6, 2005 and incorporated herein by
reference.
g.1. Master Custodian Contract between Registrant and State Street
Bank and Trust Company ("State Street") dated May 1, 1997,
filed via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 (File No.
002-16590) on October 21, 2004 and incorporated herein by
reference.
g.2. Amendment dated February 10, 2000 to Master Custodian Contract
dated May 1, 1997 between Registrant and State Street filed
via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 (File No.
002-16590) on October 21, 2004 and incorporated herein by
reference.
g.3. Amendment dated July 2, 2001 to Master Custodian Contract
dated May 1, 1997 between Registrant and State Street filed
via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 (File No.
002-16590) on October 21, 2004 and incorporated herein by
reference.
g.4. Amendment dated May 10, 2002 to Master Custodian Contract
dated May 1, 1997 between Registrant and State Street filed
via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 (File No.
002-16590) on October 21, 2004 and incorporated herein by
reference.
h.1. Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between Registrant and
PEPCO, dated June 1, 1994, filed as Exhibit 9.1 via EDGAR with
Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 (File No. 002-16590) on
October 24, 1997 and incorporated herein by reference.
h.2. Sub-Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between PEPCO and
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc., dated as of January 1,
2005 filed via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 83
(File No. 002-16590) on October 25, 2005 and incorporated
herein by reference.
h.3. Amended and Restated Financial Agent Agreement between
Registrant and PEPCO, dated November 19, 1997, filed as
Exhibit 9.3 via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 64
(File No. 002-16590) on October 6, 1998 and incorporated
herein by reference.
h.4. First Amendment to Amended and Restated Financial Agent
Agreement between Registrant and PEPCO, dated March 23, 1998,
filed as Exhibit 9.4 via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment
No. 64 (File No. 002-16590) on October 6, 1998 and
incorporated herein by reference.
h.5. Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Financial Agent
Agreement between Registrant and PEPCO, dated July 31, 1998,
filed as Exhibit 9.5 via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment
No. 64 (File No. 002-16590) on October 6, 1998 and
incorporated herein by reference.
h.6. Third Amendment to the Amended and Restated Financial Agent
Agreement between Registrant and PEPCO dated January 1, 2003
filed via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 74 (File No.
002-16590) on October 28, 2003, and incorporated herein by
reference.
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h.7. Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Financial Agent
Agreement between Registrant and PEPCO effective as of October
21, 2004 filed via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 79
(File No. 002-16590) on October 21, 2004 and incorporated
herein by reference.
h.8. First Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
between Registrant and PEPCO dated February 28, 2004 filed via
EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 (File No.
002-16590) on October 21, 2004 and incorporated herein by
reference.
h.9.* Second Amendment to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement
between Registrant and PEPCO dated May 18, 2005, filed via
EDGAR herewith.
h.10.* Securities Lending Authorization Agreement with State Street,
dated August 1, 2005, filed via EDGAR herewith.
h.11.* First Amendment to Securities Lending Authorization Agreement
between Registrant and State Street dated February 3, 2006 on
behalf of Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund filed via EDGAR
herewith.
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i. Opinion as to legality of the shares filed via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 82 (File No. 002-16590) on July 22, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference.
j.* Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm filed via EDGAR herewith.
k. Not applicable.
l. None.
m.1. Amended and Restated Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1
for Class A Shares filed via EDGAR with Post-Effective
Amendment No. 83 (File No. 002-16590) on October 25, 2005 and
incorporated herein by reference.
m.2. Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class B Shares
filed via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 (File No.
002-16590) filed on August 7, 2000 and incorporated herein by
reference.
m.3. Distribution Plan Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class C Shares
filed via EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 68 (File No.
002-16590) filed on August 7, 2000 and incorporated herein by
reference.
m.4. First Amendment to the Amended and Restated Distribution Plan
for Class A Shares filed via EDGAR with Post-Effective
Amendment No. 74 (File No. 002-16590) on October 28, 2003, and
incorporated herein by reference.
n.* 2006 Amended and Restated Rule 18f-3 Multi-Class Distribution
Plan, adopted August 23, 2006, filed via EDGAR herewith.
o. Reserved.
p.1.* Amended and Restated Codes of Ethics of the Phoenix Funds and
the Distributor (PEPCO), dated February 2006, filed via EDGAR
herewith.
p.2.* Amended and Restated Code of Ethics of the Adviser (PIC) dated
February 2006, filed via EDGAR herewith.
p.3.* Code of Ethics of Acadian dated April 2006, filed via EDGAR
herewith.
p.4. * Code of Ethics for Employees of Golden dated July 2006, filed
via EDGAR herewith.
p.5.* Standard Business Conduct and Code of Ethics for Harris as
Restated and Adopted effective July 11, 2005, filed via EDGAR
herewith.
p.6. Code of Conduct of New Star dated January 2005, filed via
EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 (File No.
002-16590) on October 25, 2005 and incorporated herein by
reference.
C-3
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p.7. Amended and Restated 2004 Code of Ethics of Sasco filed via
EDGAR with Post-Effective Amendment No. 83 (File No.
002-16590) on October 25, 2005 and incorporated herein by
reference.
q. * Power of Attorney for all Trustees dated May 17, 2006, filed
via EDGAR herewith.
------------
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*Filed herewith
ITEM 24. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE FUND
None.
ITEM 25. INDEMNIFICATION
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated August 17, 2000 and the Bylaws
of the Registrant provide that no trustee or officer will be indemnified against
any liability to which the Registrant would otherwise be subject by reason of or
for willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of
such person's duties. The Investment Advisory Agreement, Subadvisory Agreements,
Underwriting Agreement, Master Custodian Contract and Transfer Agency Agreement,
as amended, each provides that the Trust will indemnify the other party (or
parties, as the case may be) to the agreement for certain losses.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
ITEM 26. BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF INVESTMENT ADVISER AND SUBADVISERS
See "Management of the Fund" in the Prospectus and "Services of the Adviser and Subadvisers" and "Management of the Fund" in the Statement of Additional Information which is included in this Post-Effective Amendment.
For information as to the business, profession, vocation or employment of a substantial nature of directors and officers of the Adviser and Subadvisers, reference is made to the Adviser's and Subadvisers' current Form ADV (SEC File No. 801-5995 for PIC; SEC File No. 801-28078 for Acadian; SEC File No. 801-57973 for Golden; SEC File No. 801-35533 for Harris; SEC File No. 801-26315 for New Star; and SEC file No. 801-25958 for Sasco) filed under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 27. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
(a) PEPCO serves as the principal underwriter for the following
registrants:
Phoenix Adviser Trust, Phoenix Asset Trust, Phoenix CA Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Phoenix Equity Series Fund, Phoenix Equity Trust, Phoenix Insight Funds Trust, Phoenix Institutional Mutual Funds, Phoenix Investment Series Fund, Phoenix Investment Trust 06, Phoenix Investment Trust 97, Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund, Phoenix Multi-Series Trust, Phoenix Opportunities Trust, Phoenix PHOLIOsSM, Phoenix Portfolios, Phoenix Series Fund, Phoenix Strategic Equity Series Fund, Phoenix Life Variable Universal Life Account, Phoenix Life Variable Accumulation Account, PHL Variable Accumulation Account, Phoenix Life and Annuity Variable Universal Life Account, PHLVIC Variable Universal Life Account and PHL Variable Separate Account MVA1.
(b) Directors and Executive Officers of PEPCO are as follows:
Name and Positions and Offices Positions and Offices Principal Address with Distributor with Registrant ----------------- ---------------- ---------------- George R. Aylward Director and Executive Vice President 56 Prospect Street Executive Vice President P.O. Box 150480 Hartford, CT 06115-0480 John H. Beers Vice President Assistant Secretary One American Row and Secretary P.O. Box 5056 Hartford, CT 06102-5056 Kevin J. Carr Vice President Vice President, Counsel, Chief One American Row and Assistant Secretary Legal Officer and Secretary P.O. Box 5056 Hartford, CT 06102-5056 John R. Flores Vice President and Anti-Money Laundering Officer One American Row Anti-Money Laundering Officer and Assistant Secretary P.O. Box 5056 Hartford, CT 06102-5056 Daniel T. Geraci Director, Chairman of the Board President 56 Prospect Street and President P.O. Box 150480 Hartford, CT 06115-0480 Michael E. Haylon Director None One American Row P.O. Box 5056 Hartford, CT 06102-5056 David C. Martin Vice President and None One American Row Chief Compliance Officer P.O. Box 5056 Hartford, CT 06102-5056 Glenn H. Pease Vice President, Finance and None 56 Prospect Street Treasurer P.O. Box 150480 Hartford, CT 06115-0480 Jacqueline M. Porter Assistant Vice President Vice President and 56 Prospect Street Assistant Treasurer P.O. Box 150480 Hartford, CT 06115-0480 Francis G. Waltman Senior Vice President Senior Vice President 56 Prospect Street P.O. Box 150480 Hartford, CT 06115-0480 James D. Wehr Director None 56 Prospect Street P.O. Box 150480 Hartford, CT 06115-0480 (c) To the best of the Registrant's knowledge, no commissions or other compensation was received by any principal underwriter who is not an affiliated person of the Registrant or an affiliated person of such affiliated person, directly or indirectly, from the Registrant during the Registrant's last fiscal year. |
ITEM 28. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
Persons maintaining physical possession of accounts, books and other
documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company
Act of 1940 and the Rules promulgated thereunder include:
Secretary of the Fund:
Kevin J. Carr, Esq.
One American Row
P.O. Box 5056
Hartford, CT 06102-5056
Investment Adviser:
Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc.
56 Prospect Street
P.O. Box 150480
Hartford, CT 06115-0480
Subadviser to Pathfinder, Total Value and
Worldwide Strategies Funds:
Acadian Asset Management, Inc.
One Post Office Square, 20th Floor
Boston, MA 02109
Subadviser to Total Value
Fund:
Golden Capital Management, LLC
Five Resource Square
10715 David Taylor Dr., Suite 150
Charlotte, NC 28262
Subadviser to Total Value Fund:
Harris Investment Management, Inc.
190 South Lasalle Street, 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
Subadviser to Worldwide Strategies Fund:
New Star Institutional Managers Limited
1 Knightsbridge Green
London, United Kingdom
SW1X 7NE
Subadviser to Mid-Cap Value Fund:
Sasco Capital, Inc.
10 Sasco Hill Road
Fairfield, CT 06824
Principal Underwriter, Administrator and Transfer
Agent:
Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation
One American Row
P.O. Box 5056
Hartford, CT 06102-5056
Custodian and Dividend Dispersing Agent:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
225 Franklin Street
Boston, MA 02110
ITEM 29. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Not applicable.
ITEM 30. UNDERTAKINGS
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for the effectiveness of this registration statement under rule 485(b) of the Securities Act and has duly caused this amendment to the registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Hartford, and State of Connecticut on the 27th day of October, 2006.
PHOENIX EQUITY TRUST
/s/ KEVIN J. CARR /s/ DANIEL T. GERACI
--------------------------- -------------------------------
ATTEST: Kevin J. Carr By: Daniel T. Geraci
Secretary President
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this amendment to the registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated, on this 27th day of October, 2006.
SIGNATURES TITLE
---------- -----
Trustee
------------------------------------
E. Virgil Conway*
/s/ W. Patrick Bradley Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
------------------------------------ (principal financial and
W. Patrick Bradley accounting officer)
------------------------------------
Harry Dalzell-Payne*
/s/ Daniel T. Geraci Trustee
------------------------------------ President
Daniel T. Geraci (principal executive officer)
------------------------------------
Francis E. Jeffries* Trustee
------------------------------------
Leroy Keith, Jr.* Trustee
------------------------------------
Marilyn E. LaMarche* Trustee
------------------------------------
Philip R. McLoughlin* Trustee and Chairman
------------------------------------
Geraldine M. McNamara* Trustee
------------------------------------
James M. Oates* Trustee
------------------------------------
Richard E. Segerson* Trustee
By /s/ Daniel T. Geraci
---------------------------------
* Daniel T. Geraci, Attorney-in-fact pursuant to powers of attorney.
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EXHIBIT b.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
of
PHOENIX EQUITY TRUST
AMENDED AND RESTATED
BY-LAWS
of
PHOENIX EQUITY TRUST
A Delaware Statutory Trust
INTRODUCTION
A. Agreement and Declaration of Trust. These By-Laws shall be subject to the Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as may be amended from time to time (the "Declaration of Trust"), of Phoenix Equity Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the "Trust"). In the event of any inconsistency between the terms hereof and the terms of the Declaration of Trust, the terms of the Declaration of Trust shall control.
B. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein and not herein defined are used as defined in the Declaration of Trust.
1. Principal Office. The Trustees shall fix and, from time to time, may change the location of the principal executive office of the Trust at any place within or outside the State of Delaware.
2. Delaware Office. The Trustees shall establish a registered office in the State of Delaware and shall appoint as the Trust's registered agent for service of process in the State of Delaware an individual resident of the State of Delaware or a Delaware corporation or a corporation authorized to transact business in the State of Delaware; in each case the business office of such registered agent for service of process shall be identical with the registered Delaware office of the Trust.
3. Other Offices. The Trustees may at any time establish branch or subordinate offices at any place or places where the Trust intends to do business.
1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of Shareholders shall be held at any place designated by the Trustees. In the absence of any such designation, Shareholders' meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the Trust.
2. Call of Meetings. Meetings of the Shareholders may be called at any time by the Trustees or by the President for the purpose of taking action upon any matter requiring the vote or authority of the Shareholders as herein provided or provided in the Declaration of Trust or upon any other matter as to which such vote or authority is deemed by the Trustees or the President to be necessary or desirable. To the extent required by the 1940 Act, meetings of the Shareholders for the purpose of voting on the removal of any Trustee shall be called promptly by the Trustees upon the written request of Shareholders holding at least ten percent (10%) of the outstanding Shares entitled to vote.
3. Notice of Meetings of Shareholders. All notices of meetings of Shareholders shall be sent or otherwise given in accordance with Section 4 of this Article II not less than ten (10) nor more than ninety (90) days before the date of the meeting. The notice shall specify (i) the place, date and hour of the meeting, and (ii) the general nature of the business to be transacted. The notice of any meeting at which Trustees are to be elected also shall include the name of any nominee or nominees whom at the time of the notice are intended to be presented for election.
If action is proposed to be taken at any meeting for approval of (i) a contract or transaction in which a Trustee has a direct or indirect financial interest, (ii) an amendment of the Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust, (iii) a reorganization of the Trust, or (iv) a voluntary dissolution of the Trust, the notice shall also state the general nature of that proposal.
4. Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice. Notice of any meeting of Shareholders shall be given either personally or by first-class mail or telegraphic or other written communication, charges prepaid, addressed to the Shareholder at the address of that Shareholder appearing on the books of the Trust or its transfer agent or given by the Shareholder to the Trust for the purpose of notice. If no such address appears on the Trust's books or is given, notice shall be deemed to have been given if sent to that Shareholder by first-class mail or telegraphic or other written communication to the Trust's principal executive office, or if published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where that office is located. Notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in the mail or sent by telegram or other means of written communication or, where notice is given by publication, on the date of publication.
If any notice addressed to a Shareholder at the address of that Shareholder appearing on the books of the Trust is returned to the Trust by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice to the Shareholder at that address,
all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if these shall be available to the Shareholder on written demand of the Shareholder at the principal executive office of the Trust for a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice.
An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any meeting of Shareholders shall be filed and maintained in the minute book of the Trust.
5. Adjourned Meeting; Notice. Any meeting of Shareholders, whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of the majority of the Shares represented at that meeting, either in person or by proxy.
When any meeting of Shareholders is adjourned to another time or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting at which the adjournment is taken, unless a new record date of the adjourned meeting is fixed or unless the adjournment is for more than sixty (60) days from the date set for the original meeting, in which case the Trustees shall set a new record date. Notice of any such adjourned meeting shall be given to each Shareholder of record entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting in accordance with the provisions of Sections 3 and 4 of this Article II. At any adjourned meeting, the Trust may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.
6. Voting. The Shareholders entitled to vote at any meeting of Shareholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Declaration of Trust of the Trust, as in effect at such time. The Shareholders' vote may be by voice vote or by ballot, provided, however, that any election for Trustees must be by ballot if demanded by any Shareholder before the voting has begun. On any matter other than elections of Trustees, any Shareholder may vote part of the Shares in favor of the proposal and refrain from voting the remaining Shares or vote them against the proposal, but if the Shareholder fails to specify the number of Shares which the Shareholder is voting affirmatively, it will be conclusively presumed that the Shareholder's approving vote is with respect to the total Shares that the Shareholder is entitled to vote on such proposal.
7. Waiver of Notice by Consent of Absent Shareholders. The transactions of the meeting of Shareholders, however called and noticed and wherever held, shall be as valid as though taken at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice if a quorum be present either in person or by proxy and if either before or after the meeting, each person entitled to vote who was not present in person or by proxy signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to a holding of the meeting or an approval of the minutes. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify either the business to be transacted or the purpose of any meeting of Shareholders.
Attendance by a person at a meeting shall also constitute a waiver of notice of that meeting, except when the person objects at the beginning of the meeting to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened and except that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of matters not included in the notice of the meeting if that objection is expressly made at the beginning of the meeting.
8. Shareholder Action by Written Consent Without a Meeting. Except as provided in the Declaration of Trust or the 1940 Act, any action that may be taken at any meeting of Shareholders may be taken without a meeting and without prior notice if a consent in writing setting forth the action so taken is signed by Shareholders having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting at which all Shareholders entitled to vote on that action were present and voted. All such consents shall be filed with the Secretary of the Trust and shall be maintained in the Trust's records. Any Shareholder giving a written consent or a transferee of the Shares or a personal representative of the Shareholder or their respective proxy holders may revoke the consent by a writing received by the Secretary of the Trust before written consents of the number of votes required to authorize the proposed action have been filed with the Secretary.
If the consents of all Shareholders entitled to vote have not been solicited in writing and if the unanimous written consent of all such Shareholders shall not have been received, the Secretary shall give prompt notice of the action approved by the Shareholders without a meeting. This notice shall be given in the manner specified in Section 4 of this Article II.
9. Record Date for Shareholder Notice, Voting and Giving Consents.
(a) For purposes of determining the Shareholders entitled to vote or act at any meeting or adjournment thereof, the Trustees may fix in advance a record date which shall not be more than ninety (90) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of any such meeting. Without fixing a record date for a meeting, the Trustees may for voting and notice purposes close the register or transfer books for one or more Series (or Classes) for all or any part of the period between the earliest date on which a record date for such meeting could be set in accordance herewith and the date of such meeting.
If the Trustees do not so fix a record date or close the register or transfer books of the affected Series (or Classes), the record date for determining Shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of Shareholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
(b) The record date for determining Shareholders entitled to give consent to action in writing without a meeting, (a) when no prior action of the Trustees has been taken, shall be the day on which the first written consent is given, or (b) when prior action of the Trustees has been taken, shall be (x) such date as determined for that purpose by the Trustees, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing it is adopted by the Trustees and shall not be more than 20 days after the date of such resolution, or (y) if no record date is fixed by the Trustees the record date shall be the close of business on the day on which the Trustees adopt the resolution relating to that action. Nothing in this Section shall be construed as precluding the Trustees from setting different record dates for different Series (or Classes). Only Shareholders of record on the record date as herein determined shall have any right to vote or to act at any meeting or give consent to any action relating to such record date, notwithstanding any transfer of Shares on the books of the Trust after such record date.
10. Proxies. Subject to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust, every Person entitled to vote for Trustees or on any other matter shall have the right to do so either in person or by proxy, provided that either (i) an instrument authorizing such a proxy to act is executed by the Shareholder in writing and dated not more than eleven (11) months before the meeting, unless the instrument specifically provides for a longer period or (ii) the Trustees adopt an electronic, telephonic, computerized or other alternative to execution of a written instrument authorizing the proxy to act which authorization is received not more than eleven (11) months before the meeting. A proxy shall be deemed executed by a Shareholder if the Shareholder's name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic transmission or otherwise) by the Shareholder or the Shareholder's attorney-in-fact or other authorized agent. A valid proxy which does not state that it is irrevocable shall continue in full force and effect unless (i) revoked by the person executing it before the vote pursuant to that proxy by a writing delivered to the Trust stating that the proxy is revoked, by a subsequent proxy executed by or attendance at the meeting and voting in person by the person executing that proxy or revoked by such person using any electronic, telephonic, computerized or other alternative means authorized by the Trustees for authorizing the proxy to act; or (ii) written notice of the death or incapacity of the maker of that proxy is received by the Trust before the vote pursuant to that proxy is counted. A proxy with respect to Shares held in the name of two or more Persons shall be valid if executed by any one of them unless at or prior to exercise of the proxy the Trust receives a specific written notice to the contrary from any of them. A proxy purporting to be executed by or on behalf of a Shareholder shall be deemed valid unless challenged at or prior to its exercise and the burden of proving invalidity shall rest on the challenger.
11. Inspectors of Election. Before any meeting of Shareholders, the Trustees may appoint any persons other than nominees for office to act as inspectors of election at the meeting or its adjournment. If no inspectors of election are so appointed, the Chairman of the meeting may appoint inspectors of election at the meeting. The number of inspectors shall be two (2). If any person appointed as inspector fails to appear or fails or refuses to act, the Chairman of the meeting may appoint a person to fill the vacancy.
These inspectors shall:
(a) Determine the number of Shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the Shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum and the authenticity, validity and effect of proxies;
(b) Receive votes, ballots or consents;
(c) Hear and determine all challenges and questions in any way arising in connection with the right to vote;
(d) Count and tabulate all votes or consents;
(e) Determine when the polls shall close;
(f) Determine the result; and
(g) Do any other acts that may be proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all Shareholders.
1. Powers. Subject to the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, the Declaration of Trust and these By-Laws relating to action required to be approved by the Shareholders, the business and affairs of the Trust shall be managed and all powers shall be exercised by or under the direction of the Trustees.
2. Number of Trustees. The exact number of Trustees within any limits specified in the Declaration of Trust shall be fixed from time to time by a resolution of the Trustees.
3. Vacancies. Vacancies in the authorized number of Trustees may be filled as provided in the Declaration of Trust.
4. Place of Meetings and Meetings by Telephone. All meetings of the Trustees may be held at any place that has been designated from time to time by resolution of the Trustees. In the absence of such a designation, regular meetings shall be held at the principal executive office of the Trust. Any meeting, regular or special, may be held by conference telephone or similar communication equipment, so long as all Trustees participating in the meeting can hear one another and, except as provided under the 1940 Act, all such Trustees shall be deemed to be present in person at the meeting.
5. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the Trustees shall be held without call at such time as shall from time to time be fixed by the Trustees. Such regular meetings may be held without notice.
6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Trustees for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the President or any Vice President or the Secretary or any two (2) Trustees.
Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be delivered personally or by telephone to each Trustee or sent by first-class mail, by telegram or telecopy (or similar electronic means) or by nationally recognized overnight courier, charges prepaid, addressed to each Trustee at that Trustee's address as it is shown on the records of the Trust. In case the notice is mailed, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least seven (7) calendar days before the time of the holding of the meeting. In case the notice is delivered personally or by telephone or by telegram, telecopy (or similar electronic means) or overnight courier, it shall be given at
least forty-eight (48) hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice given personally or by telephone may be communicated either to the Trustee or to a person at the office of the Trustee who the person giving the notice has reason to believe will promptly communicate it to the Trustee. The notice need not specify the purpose of the meeting or the place if the meeting is to be held at the principal executive office of the Trust.
7. Quorum. A third of the authorized number of Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except to adjourn as provided in Section 9 of this Article III. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the Trustees present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Trustees, subject to the provisions of the Declaration of Trust. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of Trustees if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for that meeting.
8. Waiver of Notice. Notice of any meeting need not be given to any Trustee who either before or after the meeting signs a written waiver of notice, a consent to holding the meeting, or an approval of the minutes. The waiver of notice or consent need not specify the purpose of the meeting. All such waivers, consents, and approvals shall be filed with the records of the Trust or made a part of the minutes of the meeting. Notice of a meeting shall also be deemed given to any Trustee who attends the meeting without protesting before or at its commencement the lack of notice to that Trustee.
9. Adjournment. A majority of the Trustees present, whether or not constituting a quorum, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place.
10. Notice of Adjournment. Notice of the time and place of holding an
adjourned meeting need not be given unless the meeting is adjourned for more
than forty-eight (48) hours, in which case notice of the time and place shall be
given before the time of the adjourned meeting in the manner specified in
Section 6 of this Article III to the Trustees who were present at the time of
the adjournment.
11. Action Without a Meeting. Unless the 1940 Act requires that a particular action be taken only at a meeting at which the Trustees are present in person, any action to be taken by the Trustees at a meeting may be taken without such meeting by the written consent of a majority of the Trustees then in office. Any such written consent may be executed and given by telecopy or similar electronic means. Such written consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Trustees. If any action is so taken by the Trustees by the written consent of less than all of the Trustees, prompt notice of the taking of such action shall be furnished to each Trustee who did not execute such written consent, provided that the effectiveness of such action shall not be impaired by any delay or failure to furnish such notice.
12. Fees and Compensation of Trustees. Trustees and members of committees
may receive such compensation, if any, for their services and such reimbursement
of expenses as may be fixed or determined by resolution of the Trustees. This
Section 12 shall not be construed to
preclude any Trustee from serving the Trust in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation for those services.
13. Delegation of Power to Other Trustees. Any Trustee may, by power of attorney, delegate his or her power for a period not exceeding six (6) months at any one time to any other Trustee or Trustees; provided that in no case shall fewer than two (2) Trustees personally exercise the powers granted to the Trustees, except as otherwise expressly provided herein or by resolution of the Trustees. Except where applicable law may require a Trustee to be present in person, a Trustee represented by another Trustee pursuant to such power of attorney shall be deemed to be present for purposes of establishing a quorum and satisfying the required vote of Trustees.
14. Chairman. The Trustees may elect a Chairman. The Chairman, if such is elected, shall if present preside at meetings of the Trustees and shall, subject to the control of the Trustees, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and the officers of the Trust and exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to him by the Trustees or prescribed by the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws. The Chairman, if there be one, shall be a Trustee and may but need not be a Shareholder.
1. Committees of Trustees. The Trustees may by resolution designate one or more committees, each consisting of two (2) or more Trustees, to serve at the pleasure of the Trustees. The Trustees may designate one or more Trustees as alternate members of any committee who may replace any absent member at any meeting of the committee. Any committee to the extent provided in the resolution of the Trustee, shall have the authority of the Trustees, except with respect to:
(a) the approval of any action which under applicable law requires approval by a majority of the entire authorized number of Trustees or certain Trustees;
(b) the filling of vacancies of Trustees;
(c) the fixing of compensation of the Trustees for services generally or as a member of any committee;
(d) the amendment or termination of the Declaration of Trust or any Series or Class or amendment of the By-Laws or the adoption of new By-Laws;
(e) the amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Trustees which by its express terms is not so amendable or repealable;
(f) a distribution to the Shareholders of the Trust, except at a rate or in a periodic amount or within a designated range determined by the Trustees; or
(g) the appointment of any other committees of the Trustees or the members of such new committees.
2. Meetings and Action of Committees. Meetings and action of committees shall be governed by and held and taken in accordance with the provisions of Article III of these By-Laws, with such changes in the context thereof as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Trustees generally, except that the time of regular meetings of committees may be determined either by resolution of the Trustees or by resolution of the committee. Special meetings of committees may also be called by resolution of the Trustees. Alternate members shall be given notice of meetings of committees and shall have the right to attend all meetings of committees. The Trustees may adopt rules for the governance of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these By-Laws.
1. Officers. The officers of the Trust shall be a President, a Secretary, a Chief Compliance Officer and a Treasurer. The Trust may also have, at the discretion of the Trustees, one or more Vice Presidents, one or more Assistant Secretaries, one or more Assistant Treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of this Article V. Any number of offices may be held by the same person. Any officer may but need not be a Trustee or Shareholder.
2. Election of Officers. The officers of the Trust, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 or Section 5 of this Article V, shall be chosen by the Trustees, and each shall serve at the pleasure of the Trustees, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.
3. Subordinate Officers. The Trustees may appoint and may empower the President to appoint such other officers as the business of the Trust may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as are provided in these By-Laws or as the Trustees may from time to time determine.
4. Removal and Resignation of Officers. Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Trustees at any regular or special meeting of the Trustees. With the exception of the Chief Compliance Officer, any officer may be removed by the principal executive officer or by such other officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by the Trustees.
Any officer may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Trust. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice; and unless otherwise specified in that notice, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Trust under any contract to which the officer is a party.
5. Vacancies in Offices. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in these By-Laws for regular appointment to that office. The President may make temporary appointments to a vacant office pending action by the Trustees, except in the case of the Chief Compliance Officer.
6. President. The President shall be the chief operating officer of the Trust and shall, subject to the control of the Trustees and the Chairman, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and the officers of the Trust. He or she shall preside at all meetings of the Trustees in the absence of the Chairman. He or she shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of President of a corporation and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed by the Trustees, the Declaration of Trust or these By-Laws.
7. Vice Presidents. In the absence or disability of the President, the Vice Presidents, if any, in order of their rank as fixed by the Trustees or if not ranked, the Executive Vice President (who shall be considered first ranked) and such other Vice Presidents as shall be designated by the Trustees, shall perform all the duties of the President and when so acting shall have all powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President. The Vice Presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the Trustees, the President or by these By-Laws.
8. Secretary. The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal executive office of the Trust or such other place as the Trustees may direct a book of minutes of all meetings and actions of Trustees, committees of Trustees and Shareholders with the time and place of holding, whether regular or special, and if special, how authorized, the notice given, the names of those present at Trustees' meetings or committee meetings, the number of Shares present or represented at meetings of Shareholders and the proceedings.
The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept at the principal executive office of the Trust or at the office of the Trust's transfer agent or registrar, a Share register or a duplicate Share register showing the names of all Shareholders and their addresses, the number and classes of Shares held by each, the number and date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.
The Secretary shall give or cause to be given notice of all meetings of the Shareholders and of the Trustees (or committees thereof) required to be given by these By-Laws or by applicable law and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Trustees or by these By-Laws.
9. Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer shall be elected by a majority of the Trustees, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons pursuant to Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"), and otherwise in accordance with Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act. The Chief Compliance Officer shall perform the duties and have the responsibilities outlined in Rule 38a-1 of the 1940 Act and shall perform such other duties and have such other responsibilities as from time to time may be assigned to him by the Trustees. The Chief Compliance Officer's compensation shall be determined by the Trustees. The Chief Compliance Officer shall report directly to the Trustees or a committee of the Trustees in carrying out his functions.
10. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer and chief accounting officer of the Trust and shall keep and maintain or cause to be kept and maintained adequate and correct books and records of accounts of the properties and business transactions of the Trust and each Series and Class thereof, including accounts of the assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains, losses, capital and retained earnings of all Series and Classes thereof. The books of account shall at all reasonable times be open to inspection by any Trustee.
The Treasurer shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Trust with such depositaries as may be designated by the Board of Trustees. He or she shall disburse the funds of the Trust as may be ordered by the Trustees, shall render to the President and Trustees, whenever they request it, an account of all of his or her transactions as chief financial officer and of the financial condition of the Trust and shall have other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Trustees or these By-Laws.
1. Agents, Proceedings, Expenses. For the purpose of this Article, "agent" means any Person who is or was a Trustee, officer, employee or other agent of the Trust or is or was serving at the request of the Trust as a trustee, director, officer, employee or agent of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a Shareholder, creditor or otherwise: "proceeding" means any threatened, pending or completed claim, action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (including appeals); and "expenses" includes, without limitation, accountant's and attorneys' fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and all other liabilities whatsoever.
2. Indemnification. Subject to the exceptions and limitations contained in
Section 3 below, every agent shall be indemnified by the Trust to the fullest
extent permitted by law against all liabilities and against all expenses
reasonably incurred or paid by him or her in connection with any proceeding in
which he or she becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his or her
being or having been an agent.
3. Limitations, Settlements. No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to an agent:
(a) who shall have been adjudicated by the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought to be liable to the Trust or its 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 (collectively, "disabling conduct"); or
(b) with respect to any proceeding disposed of (whether by settlement, pursuant to a consent decree or otherwise) without an adjudication by the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought that such agent was liable to the Trust or its Shareholders by reason of disabling conduct, unless there has been a determination that such agent did not engage in disabling conduct:
(i) by the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought;
(ii) by at least a majority of those Trustees who are neither Interested Persons (within the meaning of the 1940 Act) of the Trust nor are parties to the proceeding based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry); or
(iii) by written opinion of independent legal counsel based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry);
provided, however, that indemnification shall be provided hereunder to an agent with respect to any proceeding in the event of (1) a final decision on the merits by the court or other body before which the proceeding was brought that the agent was not liable by reason of disabling conduct, or (2) the dismissal of the proceeding by the court or other body before which it was brought for insufficiency of evidence of any disabling conduct with which such agent has been charged.
4. Insurance, Rights Not Exclusive. The rights of indemnification herein provided may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust on behalf of any agent, shall be severable, shall not be exclusive of or affect any other rights to which any agent may now or hereafter be entitled and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of any agent.
5. Advance of Expenses. Expenses incurred by an agent in connection with the preparation and presentation of a defense to any proceeding may be paid by the Trust from time to time prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such agent that such amount will be paid over by him or her to the Trust if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under this Article VI; provided, however, that (a) such agent shall have provided appropriate security for such undertaking, (b) the Trust is insured
against losses arising out of any such advance payments or (c) either a majority of the Trustees who are neither Interested Persons of the Trust nor parties to the proceeding, or independent legal counsel in a written opinion, shall have determined, based upon a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a trial-type inquiry or full investigation), that there is reason to believe that such agent will be found entitled to indemnification under this Article VI.
6. Experts and Lead Independent Trustee. The appointment, designation or identification of a Trustee as Chairman or Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees, a member or chair of a committee of the Board of Trustees, an expert on any topic or in any area (including an audit committee financial expert), or the lead independent Trustee, shall not (a) impose on that person any duty, obligation or liability that is greater than the duties, obligations and liabilities imposed on that person as a Trustee in the absence of the appointment, designation or identification or (b) affect in any way such Trustee's rights or entitlement to indemnification in such absence, and no Trustee who has special skills or expertise, or is appointed, designated or identified as an expert as aforesaid, shall (x) be held to a higher standard of care by virtue thereof or (y) be limited with respect to indemnification to which such Trustee would otherwise be entitled.
7. Fiduciaries of Employee Benefit Plan. This Article does not apply to any proceeding against any Trustee, investment manager or other fiduciary of an employee benefit plan in that person's capacity as such, even though that person may also be an agent of this Trust as defined in Section 1 of this Article. Nothing contained in this Article shall limit any right to indemnification to which such a Trustee, investment manager, or other fiduciary may be entitled by contract or otherwise which shall be enforceable to the extent permitted by applicable law other than this Article.
1. Maintenance and Inspection of Share Registrar. The Trust shall maintain at its principal executive office or at the office of its transfer agent or registrar, if either be appointed and as determined by resolution of the Trustees, a record of its Shareholders, giving the names and addresses of all Shareholders and the number and Series (and, as applicable, Class) of Shares held by each Shareholder. Subject to such reasonable standards (including standards governing what information and documents are to be furnished and at whose expense) as may be established by the Trustees from time to time, the record of the Trust's Shareholders shall be open to inspection upon the written request of any Shareholder at any reasonable time during usual business hours for a purpose reasonably related to the holder's interests as a Shareholder.
2. Maintenance and Inspection of By-Laws. The Trust shall keep at its principal executive office the original or a copy of these By-Laws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by the Shareholders at all reasonable times during office hours.
3. Maintenance and Inspection of Other Records. The accounting books and records and minutes of proceedings of the Shareholders and the Trustees and any committee or committees of the Trustees shall be kept at such place or places designated by the Trustees or in the absence of such designation, at the principal executive office of the Trust. The minutes shall be kept in written form and the accounting books and records shall be kept either in written form or in any other form capable of being converted into written form. Minutes and accounting books and records shall be open to inspection upon the written request of any Shareholder at any reasonable time during usual business hours for a purpose reasonably related to the holder's interests as a Shareholder. Any such inspection may be made in person or by an agent or attorney and shall include the right to copy and make extracts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustees shall have the right to keep confidential from Shareholders for such period of time as the Trustees deem reasonable, any information which the Trustees reasonably believe to be in the nature of trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which the Trustees in good faith believe is not in the best interests of the Trust or could damage the Trust or its business or which the Trust is required by law or by agreement with a third party to keep confidential.
4. Inspection by Trustees. Every Trustee shall have the absolute right at any reasonable time to inspect all books, records, and documents of every kind and the physical properties of the Trust. This inspection by a Trustee may be made in person or by an agent or attorney and the right of inspection includes the right to copy and make extracts of documents.
5. Financial Statements. A copy of any financial statements and any income statement of the Trust for each semi-annual period of each fiscal year and accompanying balance sheet of the Trust as of the end of each such period that has been prepared by the Trust shall be kept on file in the principal executive office of the Trust for at least twelve (12) months and each such statement shall be exhibited at all reasonable times to any Shareholder demanding an examination of any such statement or a copy shall be mailed to any such Shareholder.
The semi-annual income statements and balance sheets referred to in this section shall be accompanied by the report, if any, of any independent accountants engaged by the Trust or the certificate of an authorized officer of the Trust that the financial statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the Trust.
1. Checks, Drafts, Evidence of Indebtedness. All checks, drafts, or other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of or payable to the Trust shall be signed or endorsed in such manner and by such person or persons as shall be designated from time to time in accordance with the resolution of the Board of Trustees.
2. Contracts and Instruments; How Executed. The Trustees, except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into
any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Trust and this authority may be general or confined to specific instances; and unless so authorized or ratified by the Trustees or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent, or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Trust by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.
3. Certificates for Shares. The Trustees may at any time authorize the issuance of Share certificates for any one or more Series or Classes. In that event, each Shareholder of an affected Series or Class shall be entitled upon request to receive a certificate evidencing such Shareholder's ownership of Shares of the relevant Series or Class (in such form as shall be prescribed from time to time by the Trustees). All certificates shall be signed in the name of the Trust by the President or Vice President and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of Shares and the Series of Shares owned by the Shareholders. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed on a certificate shall have ceased to be that officer, transfer agent, or registrar before that certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Trust with the same effect as if that person were an officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trust may adopt and use a system of issuance, recordation and transfer of its Shares by electronic or other means.
4. Lost Certificates. Except as provided in this Section 4, no new certificates for Shares shall be issued to replace an old certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the Trust and canceled at the same time. The Trustees may, in the event any Share certificate or certificate for any other security is lost, stolen, or destroyed, authorize the issuance of a replacement certificate on such terms and conditions as the Trustees may require, including a provision for indemnification of the Trust secured by a bond or other adequate security sufficient to protect the Trust against any claim that may be made against it, including any expense or liability on account of the alleged loss, theft, or destruction of the certificate or the issuance of the replacement certificate.
5. Representation of Shares of Other Entities held by Trust. The President or any Vice President or any other person authorized by the Trustees or by any of the foregoing designated officers, is authorized to vote or represent on behalf of the Trust any and all Shares of any corporation, partnership, trusts, or other entities, foreign or domestic, standing in the name of the Trust. The authority granted may be exercised in person or by a proxy duly executed by such designated person.
6. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Trust shall be fixed and refixed or changed from time to time by the Trustees. The fiscal year of the Trust shall be the taxable year of each Series and Class of the Trust.
7. Seal. The seal of the Trust shall consist of a flat-faced dye with the words "Phoenix Equity Trust, Delaware Statutory Trust, 2000" cut or engraved thereon. However, unless otherwise required by the Trustees, the seal shall not be necessary to be placed on, and its
absence shall not impair the validity of, any document, instrument or other paper executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Trust.
1. Amendment. Except as otherwise provided by applicable law or by the Declaration of Trust, these By-Laws may be restated, amended, supplemented or repealed by the Trustees, provided that no restatement, amendment, supplement or repeal hereof shall limit the rights to indemnification or insurance provided in Article VI hereof with respect to any acts or omissions of agents (as defined in Article VI) of the Trust prior to such amendment.
2. Incorporation by Reference into Agreement and Declaration of Trust by the Trust. These By-Laws and any amendments thereto shall be deemed incorporated by reference in the Declaration of Trust.
Amended on: November 16, 2005.
EXHIBIT b.2
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
AMENDED & RESTATED BY-LAWS
AMENDMENT NO. 1
to
AMENDED & RESTATED
BY-LAWS
of
PHOENIX EQUITY TRUST
A Delaware Statutory Trust
4. Manner of Giving Notice; Affidavit of Notice. Notice of any meeting of shareholders shall be given either personally or by mail or telegraphic or other written communication, charges prepaid, addressed to the Shareholder at the address of that Shareholder appearing on the books of the Trust or its transfer agent or given by the Shareholder to the Trust for the purpose of notice. If no such address appears on the Trust's books or is given, notice shall be deemed to have been given if sent to that Shareholder by mail or telegraphic or other written communication to the Trust's principal executive office, or if published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where that office is located. Notice shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally or deposited in the mail or sent by telegram or other means of written communication or, where notice is given by publication, on the date of publication.
If any notice addressed to a Shareholder at the address of that Shareholder appearing on the books of the Trust is returned to the Trust by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice to the Shareholder at that address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if these shall be available to the Shareholder on written demand of the Shareholder at the principal executive office of the Trust for a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice.
An affidavit of the mailing or other means of giving any notice of any meeting of Shareholders shall be filed and maintained in the minute book of the Trust.
Approved: August 23, 2006
EXHIBIT d.11
FIRST AMENDMENT
TO SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDMENT, effective as of the 1st day of September, 2006 amends that certain Subadvisory Agreement effective October 21, 2004 (the "Agreement"), among Phoenix Equity Trust, a Delaware statutory trust on behalf of its series Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund (the "Fund"), Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the "Adviser") and Sasco Capital, Inc., a Connecticut corporation (the "Subadviser") as follows:
1. The following provision is hereby added as Section 19 to the Agreement:
In providing the services described in this Agreement, the Subadviser will not consult with any other investment advisory firm that provides investment advisory services to any investment company sponsored by Phoenix Investment Partners, Ltd. regarding transactions for the Fund in securities or other assets. The Fund shall provide the Subadviser with a list of investment companies sponsored by Phoenix and the Subadviser shall be in breach of the foregoing provision only if the investment company is included in such a list provided to the Subadviser prior to such prohibited action. In addition, the Subadviser shall not, without the prior written consent of the Fund and the Adviser, delegate any obligation assumed pursuant to this Agreement to any affiliated or unaffiliated third party.
2. All provisions of the Agreement remain in full force and effect and are unchanged in any other respects.
3. This Amendment may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same instrument.
[Signature Page Follows]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their duly authorized officers.
PHOENIX EQUITY TRUST
By: /s/ Francis G. Waltman
------------------------------------
Name: Francis G. Waltman
Title: Senior Vice President
|
PHOENIX INVESTMENT COUNSEL, INC.
By: /s/ John H. Beers
------------------------------------
Name: John H. Beers
Title: Vice President and Clerk
|
ACCEPTED:
SASCO CAPITAL, INC.
By:/s/ Hoda Biba ----------------------------- Name: Hoda Bibi Title: President and Managing Director |
EXHIBIT e.2
PEPCO SALES AGREEMENT
[LOGO]PHOENIXFUNDS(SM)
A member of The Phoenix Companies, Inc.
PHOENIX EQUITY PLANNING CORPORATION
56 Prospect St.
P.O. Box 150480
Hartford, CT 06115-0480
PHOENIX FUNDS
SALES AGREEMENT
To: Dealer Name _______________________________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip __________________________________________________________
Attention _________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number __________________________________________________________
Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation ("PEPCO", "we", "us", or "our") invites you to participate in the sale and distribution of shares of registered investment companies (which shall collectively be referred to hereinafter as the "Funds") for which we are national distributor or principal underwriter, and which may be listed in Annex A hereto which such Annex may be amended by us from time to time. Upon acceptance of this agreement by PEPCO, you may offer and sell shares of each of the Funds (hereafter "Shares") subject, however, to the terms and conditions hereof including our right to suspend or cease the sale of such shares. For the purposes hereof, the above referenced dealer shall be referred to as "you".
1. You understand and agree that in all sales of Shares to the public, you shall act as dealer for your own account. All purchase orders and applications are subject to acceptance or rejection by us in our sole discretion and are effective only upon confirmation by us. Each purchase will be deemed to have been consummated in our principal office subject to our acceptance and effective only upon confirmation to you by us.
2. You agree that all purchases of Shares by you shall be made only for the purpose of covering purchase orders already received from your customers (who may be any person other than a securities dealer or broker) or for your own bona-fide investment.
3. You shall offer and sell Shares purchased pursuant to this agreement for the purpose of covering purchase orders of your customers, to the extent applicable, (a) at the current public offering price ("Offering Price") for Class A Shares or (b) at the Net Asset Value for Class B and Class C shares as set forth in the current prospectus of each of the funds. The offer and sale of Class B Shares by you is subject to Annex B hereto, "Compliance Standards for the Sale of the Phoenix Funds Under Their Alternative Purchase Arrangements".
4. You shall pay us for Shares purchased within three (3) business days of the date of our confirmation to you of such purchase or within such time as required by applicable rule or law. The purchase price shall be (a) the Offering Price, less only the applicable dealer discount (Dealer Discount) for Class A Shares, if applicable, or (b) the Net Asset Value, less only the applicable sales commission (Sales Commission) for Class B or Class C Shares, if applicable, as set forth in the current prospectus at the time the purchase is received by us. We have the right, without notice, to cancel any order for which payment of good and sufficient funds has not been received by us as provided in this paragraph, in which case you may be held responsible for any loss suffered by us resulting from your failure to make payment as aforesaid.
5. You understand and agree that any Dealer Discount, Sales Commission or fee is subject to change from time to time without prior notice. Any orders placed after the effective date of any such change shall be subject to the Dealer Discount or Sales Commission in effect at the time such order is received by us.
6. You understand and agree that Shares purchased by you under this Agreement will not be delivered until payment of good and sufficient funds has been received by us. Delivery of Shares will be made by credit to a shareholder open account unless delivery of certificates is specified in the purchase order. In order to avoid unnecessary delay, it is understood that, at your request, any Shares resold by you to one of your customers will be delivered (whether by credit to a shareholder open account or by delivery of certificates) in the name of your customer.
7. You understand that on all purchases of Shares to which the terms of this Agreement are applicable by a shareholder for whom you are dealer of record, we will pay you an amount equal to the Dealer Discount, Sales Commission or fees which would have been paid to you with respect to such Shares if such Shares had been purchased through you. You understand and agree that the dealer of record for this purpose shall be the dealer through whom such shareholder most recently purchased Shares of such fund, unless the shareholder or you have instructed us otherwise. You understand that all amounts payable to you under this paragraph and currently payable under this agreement will be paid as of the end of the month unless specified otherwise for the total amount of Shares to which this paragraph is applicable but may be paid more frequently as we may determine in our discretion. Your request for Dealer Discount or Sales Commission reclaims will be considered if adequate verification and documentation of the purchase in question is supplied to us, and the reclaim is requested within three years of such purchase.
8. We appoint the transfer agent (or identified sub-transfer agent) for each of the Funds as our agent to execute the purchase transaction of Shares and to confirm such purchases to your customers on your behalf, and you guarantee the legal capacity of your customers so purchasing such Shares. You further understand that if a customer's account is established without the customer signing the application form, you hereby represent that the instructions relating to the registration and shareholder options selected (whether on the application form, in some other document or orally) are in accordance with the customer's instructions and you agree to indemnify the Funds, the transfer agent (or identified sub-transfer agent) and us for any loss or liability resulting from acting upon such instructions.
9. Upon the purchase of Class A Shares pursuant to a Letter of Intent, you will promptly return to us any excess of the Dealer Discount previously allowed or paid to you over that allowable in respect to such larger purchases.
10. Unless at the time of transmitting a purchase order you advise us to the contrary, we may consider that the investor owns no other Shares and may further assume that the investor is not entitled to any lower sales charge than that accorded to a single transaction in the amount of the purchase order, as set forth in the current prospectus.
11. You understand and agree that if any Shares purchased by you under the terms of this Agreement are, within seven (7) business days after the date of our confirmation to you of the original purchase order for such Shares, repurchased by us as agent for such fund or are tendered to such fund for redemption, you shall forfeit the right to, and shall promptly pay over to us the amount of, any Dealer Discount or Sales Commission allowed to you with respect to such Shares. We will notify you of such repurchase or redemption within ten (10) days of the date upon which certificates are delivered to us or to such fund or the date upon which the holder of Shares held in a shareholder open account places or causes to be placed with us or with such fund an order to have such shares repurchased or redeemed.
12. You agree that, in the case of any repurchase of any Shares made more than seven (7) business days after confirmation by us of any purchase of such Shares, except in the case of Shares purchased from you by us for your own bona fide investment, you will act only as agent for the holders of such Shares and will place the orders for repurchase only with us. It is understood that you may charge the holder of such Shares a fair commission for handling the transaction.
13. Our obligations to you under this Agreement are subject to all the provisions of the respective distribution agreements entered into between us and each of the Funds. You understand and agree that in
performing your services under this agreement you are acting in the capacity of an independent contractor, and we are in no way responsible for the manner of your performance or for any of your acts or omissions in connection therewith. Nothing in the Agreement shall be construed to constitute you or any of your agents, employees, or representatives as our agent, partner or employee, or the agent, partner of employee of any of the Funds.
In connection with the sale and distribution of shares of Phoenix Funds, you agree to indemnify and hold us and our affiliates, employees, and/or officers harmless from any damage or expense as a result of (a) the negligence, misconduct or wrongful act by you or any employee, representative, or agent of yours and/or (b) any actual or alleged violation of any securities laws, regulations or orders. Any indebtedness or obligation of yours to us whether arising hereunder or otherwise, and any liabilities incurred or moneys paid by us to any person as a result of any misrepresentation, wrongful or unauthorized act or omission, negligence of, or failure of you or your employees, representatives or agents to comply with the Sales Agreement, shall be set off against any compensation payable under this agreement. Any differential between such expenses and compensation payable hereunder shall be payable to us upon demand. The terms of this provision shall not be impaired by the termination of this agreement.
In connection with the sale and distribution of shares of Phoenix Funds, we agree to indemnify and hold you harmless from any damage or expense on account of the gross and willful negligence, misconduct or wrongful act of us or any employee, representative, or agent of ours which arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of material fact, or the omission or alleged omission of a material fact in: (i) any registration statement, including any prospectus or any post-effective amendment thereto; or (ii) any material prepared and/or supplied by us for use in conjunction with the offer or sale of Phoenix Funds; or (iii) any state registration or other document filed in any state or jurisdiction in order to qualify any Fund under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. The terms of this provision shall not be impaired by the termination of this agreement.
14. We will supply you with reasonable quantities of the current prospectus, periodic reports to shareholders, and sales materials for each of the Funds. You agree not to use any other advertising or sales material relating to the sale of shares of any of the Funds unless other advertising or sales material is pre-approved in writing by us.
15. You agree to offer and sell Shares only in accordance with the terms and conditions of the then current prospectus of each of the Funds and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, and you will make no representations not contained in any such prospectus or any authorized supplemental sales material supplied by us. You agree to use your best efforts in the development and promotion of sales of the Shares covered by this Agreement, and agree to be responsible for the proper instruction, training and supervision of all sales representatives employed by you in order that such Shares will be offered in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and all applicable laws, rules and regulations. All expenses incurred by you in connection with your activities under this Agreement shall be borne by you. In consideration for the extension of the right to exercise telephone exchange and redemption privileges to you and your registered representatives, you agree to bear the risk of any loss resulting from any unauthorized telephone exchange or redemption instructions from you or your registered representatives. In the event we determine to refund any amounts paid by any investor by reason of such violation on your part, you shall forfeit the right to, and pay over to us, the amount of any Dealer Discount or Sales Commission allowed to you with respect to the transaction for which the refund is made.
16. You represent that you are properly registered as a broker or dealer under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and are member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD) and agree to maintain membership in the NASD or in the alternative, that you are a foreign dealer not eligible for membership in the NASD. You agree to notify us promptly of any change, termination or suspension of the foregoing status. You agree to abide by all the rules and regulations of the NASD, including NASD Conduct Rule 2830, which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full. You further agree to comply with all applicable state and Federal laws and the rules and regulations of applicable regulatory agencies. You further agree that you will not sell, or offer for sale, Shares in any jurisdiction in which such Shares have not been duly registered or qualified for sale. You agree to promptly notify us with respect to (a) the initiation and disposition of any formal disciplinary action by the NASD or any other agency or instrumentality having jurisdiction with respect to the subject matter hereof against you or any
of your employees or agents; (b) the issuance of any form of deficiency notice by the NASD or any such agency regarding your training, supervision or sales practices; and (c) the effectuation of any consensual order with respect thereto.
16.1 Patriot Act. You shall employ policies and procedures designed to comply with the rules and regulations promulgated from time to time by the Office of Foreign Asset Control (including transactions involving embargoed countries or Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons) and all other applicable money laundering restrictions, including, without limitation, such restrictions as may be adopted pursuant to the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism (USA Patriot Act) of 2001 with respect to similarly situated financial institutions as PEPCO. You agree that you will perform the Customer Identification Program requirements of the USA Patriot Act, as applicable, with respect to Accounts established and transactions made pursuant to this Agreement.
16.2 Sarbanes-Oxley Act. You agree to cooperate with PEPCO and will facilitate the filing by PEPCO, each underlying registered investment companies (collectively, the "Funds") and/or their respective officers and auditors of any and all certifications or attestations as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, including, without limitation, furnishing such sub-certifications from your relevant officers with respect to the services performed by you under this Agreement as reasonably requested from time to time.
16.3 Rule 38a-1. Upon reasonable request, you agree to provide your written policies and procedures to the Funds' chief compliance officer for review and the Funds' board of trustees' approval to assist our compliance with Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. You further agree to cooperate with PEPCO in its review of such written policies and procedures, including, without limitation, furnishing such certifications and sub-certifications as PEPCO shall reasonably request from time to time. You agree that you shall promptly notify PEPCO and Funds in the event that a "material compliance matter" (as such term is defined pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act) arises with respect the services you provide under this Agreement.
16.4 Late Trading. You will accept no orders for the purchase and redemption of Fund shares after 4:00 p.m. Eastern time on any Business Day. For the purposes hereof, a "Business Day" shall mean any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading and on which a Fund calculates its net asset value pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (hereinafter, the "SEC"), as amended from time to time, subject to such terms and conditions as may be set forth in the registration statements for the Funds as filed with the SEC, as the same shall be amended from time to time.
16.5 Market Timing. PEPCO may refuse to sell shares of any Fund (or series thereof) to any person, or suspend or terminate the offering of shares of any Fund (or series thereof), if such action is required by law or by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction with respect to PEPCO or Fund, as the case may be, or is, in the reasonable discretion of PEPCO, reasonably necessary in order to protect the best interests of its investors. You shall establish and maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to detect, monitor and deter (including, without limitation, rejecting specific purchase orders) account owners (or their agents) whose purchase and redemption activity follows a market timing pattern, and to take such other actions as you deem necessary to discourage or reduce market timing activity. For the purposes hereof, "market timing activity" shall mean and refer to any discernable pattern of excessive trading in and out of a Fund (or series thereof) by one or more account owners (or their agents), including, without limitation, any purchase and sale (round trip) in and out of a single series of a Fund within any thirty day period. The parties acknowledge that, if necessary, such policies and procedures may include the identification of account owners engaged in such market timing activity and the imposition of restrictions on their requests to purchase or exchange Fund shares. You shall provide reasonable reports regarding your implementation and enforcement of such restrictions on purchase and redemption activity that follows a market-timing pattern upon request.
17. Either party may terminate this agreement for any reason by written or electronic notice to the other party which termination shall become effective fifteen (15) days after the date of mailing or electronically
transmitting such notice to the other party. We may also terminate this agreement for cause or as a result of a violation by you, as determined by us in our discretion, of any of the provisions of this Agreement, said termination to be effective on the date of mailing written or electronic notice to you of the same. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, your own expulsion from the NASD will automatically terminate this Agreement without notice. Your suspension from the NASD or violation of applicable state or Federal laws or rules and regulations of applicable regulatory agencies will terminate this Agreement effective upon the date of our mailing written notice or transmitting electronic notice to you of such termination. Our failure to terminate this Agreement for any cause shall not constitute a waiver of our right to so terminate at a later date.
18. All communications and notices to you or us shall be sent to the addresses set forth at the beginning of this Agreement or to such other address as may be specified in writing from time to time.
19. PEPCO agrees to comply with all laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances relating to privacy, confidentiality, security, data security, and the handling of customer information which may from time to time be established. PEPCO agrees not to disclose or use any consumer nonpublic personal information (including nonpublic personal financial information and nonpublic personal health information), which may be supplied by you to PEPCO in performance under this Agreement other than to: a) carry out the purpose for which the information was provided; and b) to use or disclose the information as otherwise permitted or required by law. You agree to comply with all laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances relating to privacy, confidentiality, security, data security, and the handling of customer information which may from time to time be established. You agree not to disclose or use any consumer nonpublic personal information (including nonpublic personal financial information and nonpublic personal health information), which may be supplied by PEPCO to you in performance under this Agreement other than to: a) carry out the purpose for which the information was provided; and b) to use or disclose the information as otherwise permitted or required by law. This provision will survive and continue in full force and effect after the termination of this Agreement.
20. This agreement shall become effective upon the date of its acceptance by us as set forth herein. This agreement may be amended by PEPCO from time to time. This Agreement and all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Connecticut. This agreement is not assignable or transferable, except that we may assign or transfer this agreement to any successor distributor of the Shares described herein.
ACCEPTED ON BEHALF OF ACCEPTED ON BEHALF OF
PHOENIX EQUITY PLANNING
CORPORATION: __________________________________
Name of Dealer Firm
Date _________________________ Date _____________________________
By ___________________________ By _______________________________
Name Daniel T. Geraci Print Name _______________________
_________________________
Title President Print Title ______________________
______________________________ NASD CRD Number __________________
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PEP 80 6/06
[LOGO]PHOENIXFUNDS(SM)
A member of The Phoenix Companies, Inc. AMENDED ANNEX A - JUNE 2006
PHOENIXFUNDS SALES AGREEMENT
PHOENIX EQUITY PLANNING CORPORATION
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PHOENIXFUNDS AND AVAILABLE SHARE CLASSES
EQUITY FIXED INCOME
------ ------------
Phoenix All-Cap Growth Fund A B C Phoenix Bond Fund A B C X
Phoenix Capital Growth Fund A B Phoenix CA Intermediate Tax-Free Bond Fund X
Phoenix Dynamic Growth Fund A C Phoenix CA Tax-Exempt Bond Fund A B
Phoenix Earnings Driven Growth Fund A B C X Phoenix Core Bond Fund A B C
Phoenix Focused Value Fund A C Phoenix Emerging Markets Bond Fund A B C
Phoenix Fundamental Growth Fund A C Phoenix High Yield Fund A B C
Phoenix Growth & Income Fund A B C Phoenix High Yield Securities Fund A C
Phoenix Growth Opportunities Fund A C Phoenix Institutional Bond Fund XY
Phoenix Large-Cap Growth Fund A B C X Phoenix Low-Duration Core Plus Bond Fund XY
Phoenix Mid-Cap Growth Fund A B C Phoenix Money Market Fund A
Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund A C Phoenix Multi-Sector Fixed Income Fund A B C
Phoenix Nifty Fifty Fund A B C Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund A B C T
Phoenix Pathfinder Fund A C Phoenix Tax Exempt Bond Fund A B
Phoenix Quality Small-Cap Fund A C X
Phoenix Relative Value Fund A C ALTERNATIVE
Phoenix Rising Dividends Fund A B C X -----------
Phoenix Small-Cap Growth Fund A B C Phoenix Global Utilities Fund A C
Phoenix Small-Cap Sustainable Growth Fund A C X Phoenix Market Neutral Fund * A B C
Phoenix Small-Cap Value Fund A B C Phoenix Real Estate Securities Fund A B C
Phoenix Small-Mid Cap Fund A B C X
Phoenix Strategic Growth Fund A B C PHOENIX INSIGHT FUNDS
Phoenix Total Value Fund A C ---------------------
Phoenix Value Equity Fund A B C
Phoenix Insight Balanced Fund A C I
BALANCED Phoenix Insight Bond Fund A C I
-------- Phoenix Insight Core Equity Fund A C I
Phoenix Balanced Fund A B C Phoenix Insight Emerging Markets Fund A C I
Phoenix Income & Growth Fund A B C Phoenix Insight Equity Fund A C I
Phoenix Insight High Yield Bond Fund A C I
INTERNATIONAL/GLOBAL Phoenix Insight International Fund A C I
-------------------- Phoenix Insight Intermediate Tax-Exempt Fund A C I
Phoenix Foreign Opportunities Fund A C X Phoenix Insight Short/Intermediate Bond Fund A C I
Phoenix International Strategies Fund A B C Phoenix Insight Small-Cap Growth Fund A C I
Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund A B C Phoenix Insight Small-Cap Opportunity Fund A C I
Phoenix Insight Small-Cap Value Fund A C I
PHOLIOs Phoenix Insight Tax-Exempt Bond Fund A C I
------- Phoenix Insight Money Market Fund A I
Phoenix Conservative Income PHOLIO(SM) A C Phoenix Insight Government Money Market Fund A I
Phoenix Diversifier PHOLIO(SM) A C Phoenix Insight Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund A I
Phoenix International PHOLIO(SM) A C Phoenix Insight Index Fund A I
Phoenix Wealth Accumulator PHOLIO(SM) A C Phoenix Insight Intermediate Government Fund A I
Phoenix Wealth Builder PHOLIO(SM) A C
Phoenix Wealth Guardian PHOLIO(SM) A C
Phoenix Wealth Preserver PHOLIO(SM) A C
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
PHOENIX EQUITY PLANNING CORPORATION, ONE AMERICAN ROW, HARTFORD, CT 06102
MARKETING: (800) 243-4361 CUSTOMER SERVICE: (800) 243-1574 PHOENIXFUNDS.COM
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Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation "PEPCO"), principal underwriter of the Phoenix mutual funds, from its own profits and resources, may sponsor training and educational meetings, and may provide additional compensation in the form of trips, merchandise or expense reimbursement. Dealers other than PEPCO may also make customary additional charges for their services in effecting purchases, if they notify the Funds of their intention to do so. Applicable waivers of Class A sales charges and Class B and C contingent deferred sales charges are described in the prospectus.
* The Phoenix Market Neutral Fund currently operates under a separate sales load and dealer compensation schedule for Class B and C shares only. Please refer to the last page of this Annex A for details.
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CLASS A SHARES
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DEALER CONCESSION: CLASS A SHARES
EQUITY, BALANCED, ASSET ALLOCATION,
INTERNATIONAL/GLOBAL, ALTERNATIVE FUNDS
AMOUNT OF DEALER DISCOUNT
TRANSACTION SALES CHARGE OR AGENCY FEE
PLUS APPLICABLE RIGHTS AS PERCENTAGE OF AS PERCENTAGE OF
OF ACCUMULATION: OFFERING PRICE OFFERING PRICE
Less than $50,000 5.75% 5.00%
$50,000 but under $100,000 4.75 4.25
$100,000 but under $250,000 3.75 3.25
$250,000 but under $500,000 2.75 2.25
$500,000 but under $1,000,000 2.00 1.75
$1,000,000 or more None None
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CLASS A SHARES CLASS A SHARES
FIXED INCOME FUNDS* PHOENIX MULTI-SECTOR SHORT TERM BOND
AMOUNT OF DEALER DISCOUNT DEALER DISCOUNT
TRANSACTION SALES CHARGE OR AGENCY FEE SALES CHARGE OR AGENCY FEE
PLUS APPLICABLE RIGHTS AS PERCENTAGE OF AS PERCENTAGE OF AS PERCENTAGE OF AS PERCENTAGE OF
OF ACCUMULATION: OFFERING PRICE OFFERING PRICE OFFERING PRICE OFFERING PRICE
Less than $50,000 4.75% 4.25% 2.25% 2.00%
$50,000 but under $100,000 4.50 4.00 1.25 1.00
$100,000 but under $250,000 3.50 3.00 1.00 1.00
$250,000 but under $500,000 2.75 2.25 1.00 1.00
$500,000 but under $1,000,000 2.00 1.75 0.75 0.75
$1,000,000 or more None None None None
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* Excluding All Money Market Funds and Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund. Shares of the Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund are offered as indicated above.
DISTRIBUTION FEE: 0.10% For distribution services with respect to the Phoenix Insight Money Market Fund, Phoenix Insight Government Money Market Fund and the Phoenix Insight Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund, PEPCO intends to pay a quarterly fee to qualifying dealers at the equivalent of 0.10% annually, based on the average daily net asset value of such Funds sold by such dealers and remaining on the Funds' books during the period in which the fee is calculated. Dealers must have an aggregate value of $50,000 in each such fund to qualify for payment.
SERVICE FEE: 0.25% For providing shareholder services such as responding to shareholder inquiries; processing redemptions; changing dividend options, account designations, and addresses; transmitting proxy statements, annual reports, prospectuses and other correspondence from the Funds to shareholders; and providing such other information and assistance to shareholders as may be reasonably requested by such shareholders, PEPCO intends to pay a quarterly fee to qualifying dealers at the equivalent of 0.25% annually, based on the average daily net asset value of Class A shares (except Phoenix Money Market Fund) sold by such dealers and remaining on the Funds' books during the period in which the fee is calculated. Dealers must have an aggregate value of $50,000 or more in a Fund Class to qualify for payment in that Fund Class.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTION FEES: The Distribution and Service Fees are paid pursuant to one or more distribution and/or service plans ("Plan") adopted by certain of the Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act"). Payment of these fees will automatically terminate in the event such Plan terminates or is not continued or in the event that this Agreement terminates, is assigned or ceases to remain in effect. In addition, these fees may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the members of the Funds' Board of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Funds and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of any Fund or Funds on not more than sixty days' written notice to any other party to the Agreement.
$1 MILLION NAV SALES FINDER'S FEE: 1% From its own profits and resources, PEPCO intends to pay a fee to dealers who are responsible for Class A share aggregate purchases of $1 million or more as indicated in the table below. The $1 Million NAV Sales Finder's Fee is not paid on purchases eligible for the Qualified Plan Finder's Fee (see below) or on purchases of any Money Market Fund. For Class A share purchases made prior to January 11, 2006 on which a Finder's Fee was paid, if all or part of such investment is redeemed within one year, the broker-dealer will refund the Finder's Fee to Phoenix Equity Planning Corp.
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ELIGIBLE CLASS A SHARE FUND SALE BREAKPOINT PERCENTAGE
------------------------------------ ----------------------------
$1,000,000 to $3,000,000 1.00%
------------------------------------ ----------------------------
$3,000,001 to $10,000,000 0.50%
------------------------------------ ----------------------------
Greater than $10,000,000 0.25%
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QUALIFIED PLAN FINDER'S FEE: 1% From its own profits and resources, PEPCO intends to pay dealers an amount equal to 1% of the first $3 million, 0.50% on the next $3 million and 0.25% on the amount in excess of $6 million of Class A share aggregate purchases by an account held in the name of a qualified employee benefit plan with at least 100 eligible employees. The Qualified Plan Finder's Fee is not paid on purchases eligible for the $1 Million NAV Sales Finder's Fee (see above) or on purchases of any Money Market Fund. For Class A share purchases made prior to January 11, 2006 on which a Finder's Fee was paid, if all or part of such investment is redeemed within one year, the broker-dealer will refund the Finder's Fee to Phoenix Equity Planning Corp.
CDSC: For purchases made on or after January 11, 2006, a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% may apply on certain redemptions made within one year following purchases of Class A shares on which a $1 Million NAV Sales Finder's Fee or a Qualified Plan Finder's Fee has been paid to a dealer. The one year period begins on the last day of the month preceding the month in which the purchase was made. A deferred sales charge may be waived where the investor's dealer of record, due to the nature of the investor's account, notifies the Distributor prior to the time of the investment that the dealer waives the Finder's Fee otherwise payable to the dealer, or agrees to receive such Finder's Fee ratably over a 12 month period.
CLASS B SHARES (EXCEPT PHOENIX PHOENIX MULTI-SECTOR
MULTI-SECTOR SHORT TERM BOND FUND) SHORT TERM BOND FUND
SALES COMMISSION: SALES COMMISSION:
4.0% 2.0%
YEARS SINCE CONTINGENT DEFERRED CONTINGENT DEFERRED
EACH PURCHASE: SALES CHARGE: SALES CHARGE:
First 5.0% 2.0%
Second 4.0 1.5
Third 3.0 1.0
Fourth 2.0 0.0
Fifth 2.0 0.0
Sixth 0.0 0.0
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Dealers maintaining omnibus accounts, upon redemption of a customer account within the time frames specified above, shall charge such customer account the appropriate contingent deferred sales charge as indicated and shall forward the proceeds to PEPCO.
SERVICE FEE*: 0.25% For providing shareholder services such as responding to shareholder inquiries; processing redemptions; changing dividend options, account designations, and addresses; transmitting proxy statements, annual reports, prospectuses and other correspondence from the Funds to shareholders; and providing such other information and assistance to shareholders as may be reasonably requested by such shareholders, PEPCO intends to pay a quarterly fee to qualifying dealers at the equivalent of 0.25% annually, based on the average daily net asset value of Class B shares sold by such dealers and remaining on the Funds' books during the period in which the fee is calculated. Dealers must have an aggregate value of $50,000 or more in a Fund Class to qualify for payment in that Fund Class. The Class B Service Fee is paid beginning in the 13th month following each purchase.
SALES COMMISSION: 1% for all Class C Funds except Phoenix Multi-Sector Short
Term Bond Fund
0% for Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund
For exchanges from Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond
Fund Class C to other Class C shares, the dealer will
receive 1% sales commission on the exchanged amount.
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CDSC: 1% Dealers maintaining omnibus accounts, upon redemption of a customer account within the time frames specified below, shall charge such customer account the appropriate contingent deferred sales charge as indicated and shall forward the proceeds to PEPCO. The CDSC on Class C shares is 1% for one year from each purchase. There is no CDSC on the Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund.
DISTRIBUTION FEE: 0.25% - 0.75% PEPCO intends to pay a quarterly fee to qualifying dealers at the equivalent of 0.25% annually for Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund and 0.75% annually for all other Class C Funds, based on the average daily net asset value of Class C shares sold by such dealers and remaining on the Funds' books during the period in which the fee is calculated. The Class C Trail Fee is paid beginning in the 13th month following each purchase except for the Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund. There is no hold for the Class C Trail Fee for the Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund.
SERVICE FEE*: 0.25% For providing shareholder services such as responding to shareholder inquiries; processing redemptions; changing dividend options, account designations, and addresses; transmitting proxy statements, annual reports, prospectuses and other correspondence from the Funds to shareholders; and providing such other information and assistance to shareholders as may be reasonably requested by such shareholders, PEPCO intends to pay a quarterly fee to qualifying dealers at the equivalent of 0.25% annually, based on the average daily net asset value of Class C shares sold by such dealers and remaining on the Funds' books during the period in which the fee is calculated. The Class C Service Fee is paid beginning in the 13th month following each purchase. There is no hold for the Class C Service Fee for the Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund.
FINDER'S FEE (PHOENIX MULTI-SECTOR SHORT TERM BOND FUND ONLY): 0.25% - 0.50% In connection with Class C share purchases of $250,000 or more, PEPCO, from its own profits and resources, intends to pay dealers an amount equal to 0.50% of shares purchased above $250,000 but under $3 million, plus 0.25% on the amount in excess of $3 million. If all or part of such purchases are subsequently redeemed or exchanged to another C share fund within one year of the investment date, the dealer will refund to PEPCO the full Finder's Fee paid.
*TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTION FEES: The Service and Distribution Fees are paid pursuant to one or more distribution and/or service plans ("Plan") adopted by certain of the Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act"). Payment of these fees will automatically terminate in the event such Plan terminates or is not continued or in the event that this Agreement terminates, is assigned or ceases to remain in effect. In addition, these fees may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the members of the Funds' Board of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Funds and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of any Fund or Funds on not more than sixty days' written notice to any other party to the Agreement.
** The Phoenix Market Neutral Fund currently operates under a separate sales load and dealer compensation schedule for Class B and C shares only. Please refer to the last page of this Annex A for details.
CLASS B SHARE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE CLASS B SHARE DEALER CONCESSION
YEARS SINCE CDSC YEARS SINCE CDSC
PURCHASE PURCHASE 4% of purchase amount
First 5% Fifth 2%
Second 4% Sixth 1%
Third 3% Seventh 0%
Fourth 3%
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CLASS C SHARE CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE CLASS C SHARE DEALER CONCESSION
1.25% for one year 1.00%
SERVICE FEE* CLASS B, AND C - PHOENIX MARKET NEUTRAL FUND ONLY
A Service Fee may be paid to financial services firms, for providing shareholder services such as responding to shareholder inquiries; processing redemptions; changing dividend options, account designations, and addresses; transmitting proxy statements, annual reports, prospectuses and other correspondence from the Funds to shareholders; and providing such other information and assistance to shareholders as may be reasonably requested by such shareholders. NASD member firms may also be paid a portion of the asset-based sales charges on Class C Shares, so that these dealers receive such reallowances at the following aggregate annual rates: (i) 0.25% commencing one year after purchase for the Class B Shares and (ii) 0.95% commencing one year after purchase for the Class C Shares.
There is no dealer compensation payable on Class I shares.
DEALER CONCESSION: 1%
CDSC: 1% for one year from the date of each purchase.
SERVICE FEE*: 0.25% For providing shareholder services such as responding to shareholder inquiries; processing redemptions; changing dividend options, account designations, and addresses; transmitting proxy statements, annual reports, prospectuses and other correspondence from the Funds to shareholders; and providing such other information and assistance to shareholders as may be reasonably requested by such shareholders, PEPCO intends to pay a quarterly fee to qualifying dealers at the equivalent of 0.25% annually, based on the average daily net asset value of Class T shares sold by such dealers and remaining on the Funds' books during the period in which the fee is calculated. The Class T Service Fee is paid beginning in the 13th month following each purchase.
DISTRIBUTION FEE: 0.75% PEPCO intends to pay a quarterly fee to qualifying dealers at the equivalent of 0.75% annually, based on the average daily net asset value of Class T shares sold by such dealers and remaining on the Funds' books during the period in which the fee is calculated. The Class T Distribution Fee is paid beginning in the 13th month following each purchase.
FINDER'S FEE: 0.10% - 0.50% PEPCO may pay dealers, from its own profits and resources, a percentage of the net asset value of Class X and Class Y shares sold, equal to 0.50% on the first $5 million, 0.25% on the next $5 million, plus 0.10% on the amount in excess of $10 million. If all or part of such purchases are subsequently redeemed within one year of the investment date, the dealer will refund to PEPCO the full Finder's Fee paid.
CLASS Y SERVICE FEE*: 0.25% For providing shareholder services, PEPCO intends to pay qualifying dealers a quarterly fee at the equivalent of 0.25% annually, based on the average daily net asset value of Class Y shares sold by such dealers and remaining on the Funds' books during the period in which the fee is calculated. Dealers must have an aggregate value of $50,000 or more in a Fund to qualify for payment in that Fund. No Service Fee is paid on any Class X shares.
*TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR SERVICE AND DISTRIBUTION FEES: The Service and Distribution Fees are paid pursuant to one or more distribution and/or service plans ("Plan") adopted by certain of the Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act"). Payment of these fees will automatically terminate in the event such Plan terminates or is not continued or in the event that this Agreement terminates, is assigned or ceases to remain in effect. In addition, these fees may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the members of the Funds' Board of Trustees who are not interested persons of the Funds and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or in any agreements related to the Plan, or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of any Fund or Funds on not more than sixty days' written notice to any other party to the Agreement.
PXP 80A (6/06)
[LOGO]PHOENIXFUNDS(SM)
A member of The Phoenix Companies, Inc. ANNEX B TO DEALER AGREEMENT WITH
PHOENIX EQUITY PLANNING CORPORATION
COMPLIANCE STANDARDS FOR
THE SALE OF THE PHOENIX FUNDS
UNDER THEIR ALTERNATIVE PURCHASE ARRANGEMENTS
As national distributor or principal underwriter of the Phoenix Funds, which offer their shares on both a front-end and deferred sales charge basis, Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation ("PEPCO") has established the following compliance standards which set forth the basis upon which shares of the Phoenix Funds may be sold. These standards are designed for those broker/dealers ("dealers") that distribute shares of the Phoenix Funds and for each dealer's financial advisors/registered representatives.
As shares of the Phoenix Funds are offered with two different sales arrangements for sales and distribution fees, it is important for an investor not only to choose a mutual fund that best suits his investment objectives, but also to choose the sales financing method which best suits his particular situation. To assist investors in these decisions and to ensure proper supervision of mutual fund purchase recommendations, we are instituting the following compliance standards to which dealers must adhere when selling shares of the Phoenix Funds:
1. Any purchase of a Phoenix Fund for less than $250,000 may be either of shares subject to a front-end load (Class A shares) or subject to deferred sales charges (Class B shares).
2. Any purchase of a Phoenix Fund by an unallocated qualified employer sponsored plan for less than $1,000,000 may be either of shares subject to a front-end load (Class A shares) or subject to deferred sales charge (Class B shares). Class B shares sold to allocated qualified employer sponsored plans will be limited to a maximum total value of $250,000 per participant.
3. Any purchase of a Phoenix Fund for $250,000 or more (except as noted above) or which qualifies under the terms of the prospectus for net asset value purchase of Class A shares should be for Class A shares.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
These are instances where one financing method may be more advantageous to an investor than the other. Class A shares are subject to a lower distribution fee and, accordingly, pay correspondingly higher dividends per share. However, because initial sales charges are deducted at the time of purchase, such investors would not have all of their funds invested initially and, therefore, would initially own fewer shares. Investors not qualifying for reduced initial sales charges who expect to maintain their investment for an extended period of time might consider purchasing Class A Shares because the accumulated continuing distribution charges on Class B Shares may exceed the initial sales charge on Class A Shares during the life of the investment.
Again, however, such investors must weigh this consideration against the fact that, because of such initial sales charge, not all of their funds will be invested initially. However, other investors might determine that it would be more advantageous to purchase Class B Shares to have all of their funds invested initially, although remaining subject to higher continuing distribution charges and, for a five-year period, being subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (three years for Asset Reserve).
A National Association of Securities Dealers rule specifically prohibits "breakpoint sales" of front-end load shares. A "breakpoint sale" is a sale to the client of an amount of front-end load (Class A) shares just below the amount which would be subject to the next breakpoint on the fund's sales charge schedule. Because the deferred sales charge on Class B shares is reduced by 1% for each year the shares are held, a redemption of Class B shares just before an "anniversary date" is in some ways analogous to a breakpoint sale. A client might wish to redeem just before an anniversary date for tax or other reasons, and a client who chose to wait would continue to be at market risk. Nevertheless, investment executives should inform clients intending to redeem Class B shares near an anniversary date that, if the redemption were delayed, the deferred sales charge would be reduced.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF BRANCH OFFICE MANAGER (OR OTHER APPROPRIATE REVIEWING OFFICER).
A dealer's branch manager or other appropriate reviewing officer ("the Reviewing Officer") must ensure that the financial advisor/registered representative has advised the client of the available financing methods offered by the Phoenix Funds, and the impact of choosing one method over another. In certain instances, it may be appropriate for the Reviewing Officer to discuss the purchase directly with the client. The reviewing officer should review purchases for Class A or Class B shares given the relevant facts and circumstances, including but not limited to: (a) the specific purchase order dollar amount; (b) the length of time the investor expects to hold his shares; and (c) any other relevant circumstances, such as the availability of purchase under letters of intent or pursuant to rights of accumulation and distribution requirements. The foregoing guidelines, as well as the examples cited above, should assist the Reviewing Officer in reviewing and supervising purchase recommendations and orders.
EFFECTIVENESS
These compliance guidelines are effective immediately with respect to any order for shares of those Phoenix Funds which offer their shares pursuant to the alternative purchase arrangement.
Questions relating to these compliance guidelines should be directed by the dealer to its national mutual fund sales and market group or its legal department or compliance director. PEPCO will advice dealers in writing of any future changes in these guidelines.
PXP80B 10/98
EXHIBIT h.9
SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE
TRANSFER AGENCY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT
PHOENIX FUNDS
THIS SECOND AMENDMENT is made by and between the undersigned entities (hereinafter singularly referred to as a "Fund" and collectively referred to as the "Phoenix Funds" or "Funds"), and Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the "Transfer Agent") and amends the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated as of June 1, 1994, and amended by a First Amendment dated February 28, 2004 (the "Agreement"), pursuant to which the Transfer Agent has agreed to provide certain transfer agent and related services to the Funds.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to substitute Schedule A of the Agreement to reflect fee schedule changes as permitted pursuant to Article 11 of the Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees at its May 18, 2005 meeting approved a resolution to modify the Agreement to provide an annual per account rate of $21.25 for daily dividend accounts and $16.95 for non-daily dividend accounts; and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the forgoing premises and other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereby agree that the Schedule A to the Agreement is hereby substituted by replacing Schedule A with the Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be executed by their duly authorized officer on this 18th day of May, 2005.
PHOENIX FUNDS:
PHOENIX EQUITY SERIES FUND
PHOENIX EQUITY TRUST
PHOENIX-GOODWIN CALIFORNIA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND
PHOENIX INVESTMENT SERIES FUND
PHOENIX INVESTMENT TRUST 97
PHOENIX MULTI-PORTFOLIO FUND
PHOENIX MULTI-SERIES TRUST
PHOENIX PARTNER SELECT FUNDS
PHOENIX SERIES FUND
PHOENIX STRATEGIC ALLOCATION FUND
PHOENIX STRATEGIC EQUITY SERIES FUND
By: /s/ Daniel T. Geraci
--------------------------------------------------
Daniel T. Geraci
President
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PHOENIX EQUITY PLANNING CORPORATION
By:/s/ John H. Beers
--------------------------------------------------
John H. Beers
Vice President and Secretary
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Annual Maintenance Fees shall be based on the following formula:
AMF Fund = BAMF x SA
Where,
AMF Fund refers to the aggregate Annual Maintenance Fee levied against each respective Fund,
BAMF refers to the Base Annual Maintenance Fee levied against each respective Fund for each shareholder account, as more particularly described below, at the basic annual per account rate of $21.25 for daily dividend accounts and $16.95 for non-daily dividend accounts, and
SA refers to the number of Shareholder Accounts subject to the terms of this Agreement and any and all sub-transfer agent agreements which presently or hereafter may be entered into by the Transfer Agent. For the purpose of computing the foregoing, the Transfer Agent will ascertain the number of Shareholders of each Fund regardless of whether any such Shares are held in accordance with any pooled omnibus accounts or arrangement managed or controlled by any entity, broker/dealer or sub-transfer agent.
o Omnibus Accounts, Per Transaction $2.50
o Closed Accounts, per Account, per month $0.20
o Check Writing Fees:
Privilege set-up $5.00
Per Cleared Check $1.00
Out-of pocket expenses include, but are not limited to: confirmation production, postage, forms, telephone, microfilm, microfiche, stationary and supplies billed as .1122% of postage costs and expenses incurred at the specific direction of any Fund. Postage for mass mailings is due seven days in advance of the mailing date.
This SCHEDULE A effective as of the following dates:
PHOENIX FUNDS:
Phoenix Equity Series Fund January 1, 2005
Phoenix Equity Trust January 1, 2005
Phoenix-Goodwin California Tax-Exempt Bond Fund January 1, 2005
Phoenix Investment Series Fund January 1, 2005
Phoenix Investment Trust 97 January 1, 2005
Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund January 1, 2005
Phoenix Multi-Series Trust January 1, 2005
Phoenix Partner Select Funds January 1, 2005
Phoenix Series Fund January 1, 2005
Phoenix Strategic Allocation Fund January 1, 2005
Phoenix Strategic Equity Series Fund January 1, 2005
Agreed:
Phoenix Equity Series Fund
Phoenix Equity Trust
Phoenix-Goodwin California Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
Phoenix Investment Series Fund
Phoenix Investment Trust 97
Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund
Phoenix Multi-Series Trust
Phoenix Partner Select Funds
Phoenix Series Fund
Phoenix Strategic Allocation Fund
Phoenix Strategic Equity Series Fund Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation
/s/ Daniel T. Geraci /s/ John H. Beers
------------------------------------ -------------------------------------
By: Daniel T. Geraci By: John H. Beers
Title: President Title: Vice President and Secretary
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SECURITIES LENDING AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT
Between
EACH TRUST LISTED ON SCHEDULE B HERETO,
ON BEHALF OF EACH RESPECTIVE SERIES OF EACH SUCH TRUST, SEVERALLY
AND NOT JOINTLY, AS SET FORTH ON SCHEDULE B
and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1. DEFINITIONS...............................................................1
2. APPOINTMENT OF STATE STREET...............................................2
3. SECURITIES TO BE LOANED...................................................2
4. BORROWERS..................................................................3
5. SECURITIES LOAN AGREEMENTS................................................5
6. LOANS OF AVAILABLE SECURITIES.............................................5
7. DISTRIBUTIONS ON AND VOTING RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO
LOANED SECURITIES.......................................................6
8. COLLATERAL................................................................6
9. INVESTMENT OF CASH COLLATERAL AND COMPENSATION ...........................7
10. FEE DISCLOSURE............................................................9
11. RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTS.................................................9
12. STANDARD OF CARE..........................................................9
13. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...........................................10
14. BORROWER DEFAULT INDEMNIFICATION.........................................13
15. CONTINUING AGREEMENT AND TERMINATION.....................................14
16. NOTICES..................................................................14
17. SECURITIES INVESTORS PROTECTION ACT......................................16
18. AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVES ..............................................13
19. NON-US BORROWERS.........................................................14
20. FORCE MAJEURE...........................................................
21. MISCELLANEOUS............................................................15
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22. COUNTERPARTS.............................................................16
23. MODIFICATION.............................................................17
EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE A (Schedule of Fees)
SCHEDULE B (Funds)
SCHEDULE C (Acceptable Forms of Collateral)
SECURITIES LENDING AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT
Agreement dated the 1st day of August 2005 between EACH OF THE TRUSTS LISTED ON SCHEDULE B HERETO, each a registered management investment company organized and existing under the laws of Delaware (each, a "Trust"), on behalf of each series of each such Trust, severally and not jointly, as listed, respectively, on Schedule B (each such series, a "Fund" and collectively, the "Funds"), and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY and State Street Affiliates (collectively referred to herein as "State Street"), setting forth the terms and conditions under which State Street is authorized to act on behalf of each Fund with respect to the lending of certain securities of each Fund held by State Street as custodian.
This Agreement shall be deemed for all purposes to constitute a separate and discrete agreement between State Street and each Trust on behalf of each respective Fund as listed on Schedule B to this Agreement, as it may be amended by the parties from time to time, and no Fund shall be responsible or liable for any of the obligations of any other Fund under this Agreement or otherwise, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein.
WHEREAS, the Phoenix Series Fund (the "Original Participating Trust") entered into a separate Securities Lending Authorization Agreement (the "Original SLAA") with State Street, dated January 6, 1992; and
WHEREAS, the Original Participating Trust desires to hereby amend and restate its Original SLAA, and the additional Trusts and respective series of shares of each Trust listed on Schedule B hereto desire to enter into this agreement, all as hereinafter provided.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and of the mutual covenants contained herein, each of the parties does hereby covenant and agree as follows:
(a) "Authorized Representative" means any person who is, or State Street reasonably believes to be, authorized to act on behalf of a Fund with respect to any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(b) "Available Securities" means the securities of the Funds that are available for Loans pursuant to Section 3.
(c) "Borrower" means any of the entities to which Available Securities may be loaned under a Securities Loan Agreement, as described in Section 4.
(d) "Collateral" means collateral delivered by a Borrower to secure its obligations under a Securities Loan Agreement.
(e) "Investment Manager" when used in any provision, means the person or entity who has discretionary authority over the investment of the Available Securities to which the provision applies.
(f) "Loan" means a loan of Available Securities to a Borrower.
(g) "Loaned Security" shall mean any "security" which is delivered as a Loan under a Securities Loan Agreement; provided that, if any new or different security shall be exchanged for any Loaned Security by recapitalization, merger, consolidation, or other corporate action, such new or different security shall, effective upon such exchange, be deemed to become a Loaned Security in substitution for the former Loaned Security for which such exchange was made.
(h) "Market Value" of a security means the market value of such security (including, in the case of a Loaned Security that is a debt security, the accrued interest on such security) as determined by the independent pricing service designated by State Street, or such other independent sources as may be selected by State Street on a reasonable basis.
(i) "Securities Loan Agreement" means the agreement between a Borrower and
State Street (on behalf of the Funds) that governs Loans, as described in
Section 5.
(j) "Replacement Securities" means securities of the same issuer, class and denomination as Loaned Securities.
(k) "State Street Affiliate" means any entity that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls State Street or that is controlled by or is under common control with State Street.
Each Fund hereby appoints and authorizes State Street as its agent to lend Available Securities to Borrowers in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. State Street shall have the responsibility and authority to do or cause to be done all acts State Street shall determine to be desirable, necessary, or appropriate to implement and administer this securities lending program. Each Fund agrees that State Street is acting as a fully disclosed agent and not as principal in connection with the securities lending program. State Street may take action as agent of the Fund on an undisclosed or a disclosed basis Conditional upon receipt by State Street of express written authorization (the "Third Party Custodian Authorization") on behalf of all (but not less than all) of the Funds after the date hereof, and in no event prior, State Street shall be authorized to request The Bank of New York or JPMorgan Chase Bank to undertake certain custodial functions in connection with holding of the Collateral provided by a Borrower pursuant to the terms hereof. In connection therewith, and subject to having received said Third Party Custodian Authorization, State Street may
instruct The Bank of New York or JPMorgan Chase Bank to establish and maintain a Borrower's account and a State Street account wherein all Collateral, including cash, shall be maintained by such bank (as applicable) in accordance with the terms of a form of custodial arrangement which shall also be consistent with the terms hereof.
All of the Fund's securities held by State Street as custodian shall be subject to this securities lending program and constitute Available Securities hereunder, except those securities which the Fund or the Investment Manager specifically identifies herein or in notices to State Street as not being Available Securities. In the absence of any such identification herein or other notices identifying specific securities as not being Available Securities, State Street shall have no authority or responsibility for determining whether any of the Fund's securities should be excluded from the securities lending program.
The Available Securities may be loaned to any Borrower identified on the Schedule of Borrowers, as such Schedule may be modified from time to time by State Street and the Fund.
State Street shall not be responsible for any statements, representations, warranties or covenants made by any Borrower in connection with any Loan or for any Borrower's performance of or failure to perform the terms of any Loan under the applicable Securities Loan Agreement or any related agreement, including the failure to make any required payments, except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
Each Fund authorizes State Street to enter into one or more Securities Loan Agreements with such Borrowers as may be selected by State Street. Each Securities Loan Agreement shall have such terms and conditions as State Street may negotiate with the Borrower. Certain terms of individual Loans, including rebate fees to be paid to the Borrower for the use of cash Collateral, shall be negotiated at the time a Loan is made.
State Street shall be responsible for determining whether any Loans shall be made and shall have the authority to terminate any Loan in its discretion, at any time and without prior notice to the Fund.
Each Fund acknowledges that State Street administers securities lending programs for other clients of State Street. State Street will allocate securities lending opportunities among its clients, using reasonable and equitable methods established by State Street from time to
time. State Street does not represent or warrant that any amount or percentage of the Fund's Available Securities will in fact be loaned to Borrowers. Each Fund agrees that it shall have no claim against State Street and State Street shall have no liability arising from, based on, or relating to, loans made for other clients, or loan opportunities refused hereunder, whether or not State Street has made fewer or more loans for any other client, and whether or not any loan for another client, or the opportunity refused, could have resulted in loans made under this Agreement.
Each Fund also acknowledges that, under the applicable Securities Loan Agreements, the Borrowers will not be required to return Loaned Securities immediately upon receipt of notice from State Street terminating the applicable Loan, but instead will be required to return such Loaned Securities within such period of time following such notice as is specified in the applicable Securities Loan Agreement and in no event later than the end of the customary settlement period. Upon receiving a notice from the Fund or the Investment Manager that Available Securities which have been loaned to a Borrower should no longer be considered Available Securities (whether because of the sale of such securities or otherwise), State Street shall use its reasonable efforts to notify promptly thereafter the Borrower which has borrowed such securities that the Loan of such Available Securities is terminated and that such Available Securities are to be returned within the time specified by the applicable Securities Loan Agreement and in no event later than the end of the customary settlement period. Each Fund agrees that in the event of a default by a Borrower with respect to a Loan, State Street shall be fully protected in acting in its sole discretion in a manner it deems appropriate.
Each Fund represents and warrants that it is the legal and beneficial owner of (or exercises complete investment discretion over) all Available Securities free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests and encumbrances and no such security has been sold, and that it is entitled to receive all distributions made by the issuer with respect to Loaned Securities. Except as provided in the next sentence, all interest, dividends, and other distributions paid with respect to Loaned Securities shall be credited to the Fund's account on the date such amounts are delivered by the Borrower to State Street. Any non-cash distribution on Loaned Securities which is in the nature of a stock split or a stock dividend shall be added to the Loan (and shall be considered to constitute Loaned Securities) as of the date such non-cash distribution is received by the Borrower; provided that the Fund or Investment Manager may, by giving State Street ten (l0) business days' notice prior to the date of such non-cash distribution, direct State Street to request that the Borrower deliver such non-cash distribution to State Street, pursuant to the applicable Securities Loan Agreement, in which case State Street shall credit such non-cash distribution to the Fund's account on the date it is delivered to State Street.
Each Fund acknowledges that it will not be entitled to participate in any dividend reinvestment program or to vote with respect to Available Securities that are on loan on the applicable record date for such Available Securities.
Each Fund also acknowledges that any payments of distributions from Borrower to the Fund are in substitution for the interest or dividend accrued or paid in respect of Loaned Securities and that the tax and accounting treatment of such payment may differ from the tax and accounting treatment of such interest or dividend.
If an installment, call or rights issue becomes payable on or in respect of any Loaned Securities, State Street shall use all reasonable endeavors to ensure that any timely instructions from the Fund or its Investment Manager are complied with, but State Street shall not be required to make any payment unless the Fund has first provided State Street with funds to make such payment.
Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to a dividend paid during the Loan term by a company that is a resident of France, the Fund will not be entitled to receive, either from the French company or the Borrower, any additional dividends (sometimes referred to as "complementary coupons") declared and payable by such company that are equivalent to a refund of any prepayment of French tax ("equalization tax" or "precompte") or an additional tax credit adjustment ("credit d'impot").
Each Fund further acknowledges and agrees that the Fund will be required to accept cash in lieu of fractional shares in all instances in which an issuer does issue fractional shares.
(a) Receipt of Collateral. Each Fund hereby authorizes State Street (or subject to the prior receipt by State Street from the Funds of the Third Party Custodian Authorization, The Bank of New York or JPMorgan Chase Bank as described in Section 2 above) to receive and to hold, on the Fund's behalf, Collateral from Borrowers to secure the obligations of Borrowers with respect to any Loan of Available Securities made on behalf of the Fund pursuant to the Securities Loan Agreements. All investments of cash Collateral shall be for the account and at the risk of the Fund. Concurrently with or prior to the delivery of the Loaned Securities to the Borrower under any Loan, State Street shall receive from the Borrower Collateral in any of the forms listed on Schedule C. Said Schedule may be amended from time to time by State Street and the Fund.
(b) Marking to Market. The initial Collateral received shall have (i) in the case of Loaned Securities denominated in United States Dollars or whose primary trading market is located in the United States, sovereign debt issued by foreign governments (other than Canada) or corporate bonds that are not denominated in United States Dollars (other than those issued in Canada), a value of 102% of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities, or (ii) in the case of Loaned Securities which are not denominated in United States Dollars or whose primary trading market is not located in the United States (and not referenced in (i)), a value of 105% of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities, or (iii) in the case of Loaned
Securities comprised of UK Gilts, a value of 102.5% of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities, or (iv) in all other cases, such other value, but not less than 102% of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities, as may be applicable in the jurisdiction in which such Loaned Securities are customarily traded.
Pursuant to the terms of the applicable Securities Loan Agreement, State Street shall, in accordance with State Street's reasonable and customary practices, mark Loaned Securities and Collateral to their Market Value each business day based upon the Market Value of the Collateral and the Loaned Securities at the close of business employing the most recently available pricing information and receive and deliver Collateral in order to maintain the value of the Collateral at no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Market Value of the Loaned Securities.
(c) Return of Collateral. The Collateral shall be returned to Borrower at the termination of the Loan upon the return of the Loaned Securities by Borrower to State Street in accordance with the applicable Securities Loan Agreement.
(d) Limitations. State Street shall invest cash Collateral in accordance
with any directions, including any limitations established by the Funds and set
forth on Schedule A. State Street shall exercise reasonable care, skill,
diligence and prudence in the investment of Collateral. Subject to the foregoing
limits and standard of care, State Street does not assume any market or
investment risk of loss with respect to the investment of cash Collateral. If
the value of the cash Collateral so invested is insufficient to return any and
all other amounts due to such Borrower pursuant to the Securities Loan
Agreement, the Fund shall be responsible for such shortfall as set forth in
Section 9.
To the extent that a Loan is secured by cash Collateral, such cash Collateral, including money received with respect to the investment of the same, or upon the maturity, sale, or liquidation of any such investments, shall be invested by State Street, subject to the directions referred to above, if any, in short-term instruments, short term investment funds maintained by State Street, money market mutual funds and such other investments as State Street may from time to time select, including without limitation, investments in obligations or other securities of State Street or of any State Street Affiliate and investments in any short-term investment fund, mutual fund, securities lending trust or other collective investment fund with respect to which State Street and/or State Street Affiliates provide investment management or advisory, trust, custody, transfer agency, shareholder servicing and/or other services for which they are compensated. State Street does not assume any market or investment risk of loss associated with any investment or change of investment in any such investments, including any cash collateral investment vehicle designated on Schedule A.
Each Fund acknowledges that interests in such mutual funds, securities lending trusts and other collective investment funds, to which State Street and/or one or more of the State
Street Affiliates provide services are not guaranteed or insured by State Street or any of the State Street Affiliates or by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any government agency. Each Fund hereby authorizes State Street to purchase or sell investments of cash Collateral to or from other accounts held by State Street or State Street Affiliates.
The net income generated by any investment made pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 9 shall be allocated among the Borrower, State Street, and the Fund, as follows: (a) a portion of such income shall be paid to the Borrower in accordance with the agreement negotiated between the Borrower and State Street; (b) the balance, if any, shall be split between State Street, as compensation for its services in connection with this securities lending program, and the Fund and such income shall be credited to the Fund's account, in accordance with the fee split set forth on Schedule A.
In the event the net income generated by any investment made pursuant to the first paragraph of this Section 9 does not equal or exceed the amount due the Borrower (the rebate fee for the use of cash Collateral) in accordance with the agreement between Borrower and State Street, State Street and the Fund shall, in accordance with the fee split set forth on Schedule A, share the amount equal to the difference between the net income generated and the amounts to be paid to the Borrower pursuant to the Securities Loan Agreement. The Fund shall be solely responsible for any and all other amounts due to such Borrower pursuant to the Securities Loan Agreement and State Street may debit the Fund's account accordingly. In the event debits to the Fund's account produce a deficit therein, State Street shall sell or otherwise liquidate investments made with cash Collateral and credit the net proceeds of such sale or liquidation to satisfy the deficit. In the event the foregoing does not eliminate the deficit, State Street shall have the right to charge the deficiency to any other account or accounts maintained by the Fund with State Street.
To the extent that a Loan is secured by non-cash Collateral, the Borrower shall be required to pay a loan premium, the amount of which shall be negotiated by State Street. Such loan premium shall be allocated between State Street and the Fund as follows: (a) a portion of such loan premium shall be paid to State Street as compensation for its services in connection with this securities lending program, in accordance with Schedule A hereto; and (b) the remainder of such loan premium shall be credited to the Fund's account.
Each Fund hereby agrees that it shall reimburse State Street for any and all funds advanced by State Street on behalf of the Fund as a consequence of the Fund's obligations hereunder, including the Fund's obligation to return cash Collateral to the Borrower and to pay any fees due the Borrower, all as provided in Section 8 hereof.
The fees associated with the investment of cash Collateral in funds maintained or advised by State Street are disclosed on Schedule A hereto. Said fees may be changed from
time to time by State Street upon notice to the Funds. An annual report with respect to such funds is available to the Funds, at no expense, upon request.
State Street will establish and maintain such records as are reasonably necessary to account for Loans that are made and the income derived therefrom. On a monthly basis, State Street will provide the Funds with a statement describing the Loans made, and the income derived from the Loans, during the period covered by such statement. Each party to this Agreement shall comply with the reasonable requests of the other for information necessary to the requester's performance of its duties in connection with this securities lending program.
(a) State Street shall use reasonable care in the performance of its duties hereunder consistent with that exercised by banks generally in the performance of duties arising from acting as agent for clients in securities lending transactions (as appropriate).
(b) Each Fund shall indemnify State Street and hold State Street harmless
from any loss or liability (including without limitation, the reasonable fees
and disbursements of counsel) incurred by State Street in rendering services
hereunder or in connection with any breach of the terms of this Agreement by
such Fund, except such loss or liability which results from the State Street's
failure to exercise the standard of care required by this Section 12. Nothing in
this Section shall derogate from the indemnities provided by State Street in
Section 14. State Street may charge any amounts to which it is entitled
hereunder against each Fund's account.
(c) Notwithstanding any express provision to the contrary herein, State Street shall not be liable for any consequential, incidental, special or exemplary damages.
Each Fund acknowledges that in the event that its participation in securities lending generates income for the Fund, State Street may be required to withhold tax or may claim such tax from the Fund as is appropriate in accordance with applicable law.
State Street, in determining the Market Value of Securities, including without limitation, Collateral, may rely upon any recognized pricing service and shall not be liable for any errors made by such service.
Each party hereto represents and warrants that (a) it has and will have the legal right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement, to enter into the transactions contemplated hereby, and to perform its obligations hereunder; (b) it has taken all necessary
action to authorize such execution, delivery, and performance; (c) this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid, and binding obligation enforceable against it; and (d) the execution, delivery, and performance by it of this Agreement will at all times comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
State Street represents and warrants that it has received an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission, dated September 22, 1998, relating to State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust, granting an exemption from Section 12(d)(1) and Section 17(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for investments by mutual funds in State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust.
Each Fund represents and warrants that (a) it has made its own determination as to the tax and accounting treatment of any dividends, remuneration or other funds received hereunder; (b) it is the legal and beneficial owner of (or exercises complete investment discretion over) all Available Securities free and clear of all liens, claims, security interests and encumbrances and no such security has been sold, and that it is entitled to receive all distributions made by the issuer with respect to Loaned Securities.
Each Fund further represents and warrants that it will immediately notify State Street orally and by written notice, of the relevant details of any private consent offers/agreements and/or any other off-market arrangements that may require the recall and/or restriction of a security from lending activity, including but not limited to any such private or off-market arrangement that would require State Street as agent to recall Loaned Securities by a specified delivery date. Such written notice shall be delivered sufficiently in advance so as to: (a) provide State Street with reasonable time to notify Borrowers of any instructions necessary to comply with the terms of the private consent offers/agreements and/or other off-market arrangements, and (b) provide such Borrowers with reasonable time to comply with such instructions.
The person executing this Agreement on behalf of the Funds represents that he or she has the authority to execute this Agreement on behalf of the Funds.
Each Fund hereby represents to State Street that: (i) its policies and
objectives generally permit it to engage in securities lending transactions;
(ii) its policies permit it to purchase shares of the State Street Navigator
Securities Lending Trust with cash Collateral; (iii) its participation in State
Street's securities lending program, including the investment of cash Collateral
in the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Trust, and the existing series
thereof has been approved by a majority of the directors or trustees which
directors and trustees are not "interested persons" within the meaning of
section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, and such directors or
trustees will evaluate the securities lending program no less frequently than
annually to determine that the investment of cash Collateral in the State Street
Navigator Securities Lending Trust, including any series thereof, is in the
Fund's best interest; and (iv) its prospectus provides appropriate disclosure
concerning its securities lending activity.
Each Fund hereby further represents that it is not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA") with respect to this Agreement and the Securities; that it qualifies as an "accredited investor" within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; and that the taxpayer identification number(s) and corresponding tax year-end are as set forth on Schedule B.
(a) If at the time of a default by a Borrower with respect to a Loan (within the meaning of the applicable Securities Loan Agreement), some or all of the Loaned Securities under such Loan have not been returned by the Borrower, and subject to the terms of this Agreement, State Street shall indemnify the Fund against the failure of the Borrower as follows. State Street shall purchase a number of Replacement Securities equal to the number of such unreturned Loaned Securities, to the extent that such Replacement Securities are available on the open market. Such Replacement Securities shall be purchased by applying the proceeds of the Collateral with respect to such Loan to the purchase of such Replacement Securities. Subject to the Fund's obligations pursuant to Section 8 hereof, if and to the extent that such proceeds are insufficient or the Collateral is unavailable, the purchase of such Replacement Securities shall be made at State Street's expense.
(b) If State Street is unable to purchase Replacement Securities pursuant to Paragraph 14(a) hereof, State Street shall credit to the Fund's account an amount equal to the Market Value of the unreturned Loaned Securities for which Replacement Securities are not so purchased, determined as of (i) the last day the Collateral continues to be successfully marked to market by the Borrower against the unreturned Loaned Securities; or (ii) the next business day following the day referred to in (i) above, if higher.
(c) In addition to making the purchases or credits required by Paragraphs
(a) and (b) hereof, State Street shall credit to the Fund's account the value of
all distributions on the Loaned Securities (not otherwise credited to the Fund's
accounts with State Street), for record dates which occur before the date that
State Street purchases Replacement Securities pursuant to Paragraph (a) or
credits the Fund's account pursuant to Paragraph (b).
(d) Any credits required under Paragraphs (b) and (c) hereof shall be made by application of the proceeds of the Collateral, if any, that remains after the purchase of Replacement Securities pursuant to Paragraph (a). If and to the extent that the Collateral is unavailable or the value of the proceeds of the remaining Collateral is less than the value of the sum of the credits required to be made under Paragraphs (b) and (c), such credits shall be made at State Street's expense.
(e) If after application of Paragraphs (a) through (d) hereof, additional Collateral remains or any previously unavailable Collateral becomes available or any additional amounts owed by the Borrower with respect to such Loan are received from the Borrower,
State Street shall apply the proceeds of such Collateral or such additional amounts first to reimburse itself for any amounts expended by State Street pursuant to Paragraphs (a) through (d) above, and then to credit to the Fund's account all other amounts owed by the Borrower to the Fund with respect to such Loan under the applicable Securities Loan Agreement.
(f) In the event that State Street is required to make any payment and/or incur any loss or expense under this Section, State Street shall, to the extent of such payment, loss, or expense, be subrogated to, and succeed to, all of the rights of the Fund against the Borrower under the applicable Securities Loan Agreement.
It is the intention of the parties hereto that this Agreement shall constitute a continuing agreement in every respect and shall apply to each and every Loan, whether now existing or hereafter made. The Funds and State Street may each at any time terminate this Agreement upon five (5) business days' written notice to the other to that effect. The only effects of any such termination of this Agreement will be that (a) following such termination, no further Loans shall be made hereunder by State Street on behalf of the Funds, and (b) State Street shall, within a reasonable time after termination of this Agreement, terminate any and all outstanding Loans. The provisions hereof shall continue in full force and effect in all other respects until all Loans have been terminated and all obligations satisfied as herein provided. State Street does not assume any market or investment risk of loss associated with the Fund's change in cash Collateral investment vehicles or termination of, or change in, its participation in this securities lending program and the corresponding liquidation of cash Collateral investments.
Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, notices under this Agreement may be made in writing, or by any other means mutually acceptable to the parties. If in writing, a notice shall be sufficient if delivered to the party entitled to receive such notices at the following addresses:
If to the Funds:
PHOENIX INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LTD.
56 Prospect Street
Hartford, CT 06115-0480
Attn: Ms. Amy Hackett
If to State Street:
State Street Bank and Trust Company
Securities Finance
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 0211-2900
or to such other addresses as either party may furnish the other party by written notice under this section.
Whenever this Agreement permits or requires the Funds to give notice to, direct, provide information to State Street, such notice, direction, or information shall be provided to State Street on the Funds' behalf by any individual designated for such purpose by the Funds in a written notice to State Street. This Agreement shall be considered such a designation of the person executing the Agreement on the Funds' behalf. After State Street's receipt of such a notice of designation and until its receipt of a notice revoking such designation, State Street shall be fully protected in relying upon the notices, directions, and information given by such designee.
EACH FUND IS HEREBY ADVISED AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THE SECURITIES INVESTOR PROTECTION ACT OF 1970 MAY NOT PROTECT THE FUND WITH RESPECT TO THE LOAN OF SECURITIES HEREUNDER AND THAT, THEREFORE, THE COLLATERAL DELIVERED TO THE FUND MAY CONSTITUTE THE ONLY SOURCE OF SATISFACTION OF THE BROKER'S OR DEALER'S OBLIGATION IN THE EVENT THE BROKER OR DEALER FAILS TO RETURN THE SECURITIES.
Each Fund authorizes State Street to accept and to act on any instructions or other communications, regardless of how sent or delivered, from any Authorized Representative. Each Fund shall be fully responsible for all acts of any Authorized Representative, even if that person exceeds his or her authority, and in no event shall State Street be liable to a Fund or any other third party for any losses or damages arising out of or relating to any act State Street takes or fails to take in connection with any such instructions or other communications.
In the event a Fund approves lending to Borrowers resident in the United Kingdom ("UK"), the Fund shall provide sufficient documentation, in the form and manner required by the UK Inland Revenue, to establish that the Fund is (1) the beneficial owner of any manufactured dividends received and (2) not a UK recipient for purposes of UK manufactured overseas dividend rules
State Street shall not be responsible for any losses, costs or damages suffered by a Fund resulting directly or indirectly from war, riot, revolution, terrorism, acts of government or other causes beyond the reasonable control or apprehension of State Street.
This Agreement supersedes any other agreement between the parties or any representations made by one party to the other, whether oral or in writing, concerning Loans of Available Securities by State Street on behalf of the Funds, including the Original SLAA. This Agreement shall not be assigned, with respect to any Fund, by either State Street or any Fund without the prior written consent of the other party. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, representatives, successors, and assigns. This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Each Fund hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any Massachusetts state or Federal court sitting in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts in any action or proceeding arising out of or related to this Agreement and hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Massachusetts state or Federal court except that this provision shall not preclude any party from removing any action to Federal court. Each Fund hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding. Each Fund hereby irrevocably consents to the service of any and all process in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies of such process to the Funds at their address specified in Section 16 hereof. Each Fund agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding, all appeals having been taken or the time period for such appeals having expired, shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement. If in the construction of this Agreement any court should deem any provision to be invalid because of scope or duration, then such court shall forthwith reduce such scope or duration to that which is appropriate and enforce this Agreement in its modified scope or duration.
The Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute only one (1) instrument.
This Agreement shall not be modified except by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.
EACH TRUST LISTED ON SCHEDULE B HERETO,
ON BEHALF OF EACH RESPECTIVE SERIES OF
EACH SUCH TRUST, SEVERALLY AND NOT
JOINTLY, AS SET FORTH ON SCHEDULE B
By: /s/ Daniel T. Geraci
---------------------------------------
Name: Daniel T. Geraci
-------------------------------------
Title: President
------------------------------------
|
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
By: /s/ John L. Carty
---------------------------------------
Name: John J. Carty
-------------------------------------
Title: Senior Vice President
|
This Schedule is attached to and made part of the Securities Lending
Authorization Agreement, dated the 1st day of August 2005 between EACH
TRUST LISTED ON SCHEDULE B HERETO (each a "Trust"), ON BEHALF OF EACH
RESPECTIVE SERIES OF EACH SUCH TRUST (each, a "Fund," and collectively, the
"Funds"), SEVERALLY AND NOT JOINTLY, AS SET FORTH ON SCHEDULE B and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY ("State Street")
SCHEDULE OF FEES
1. Subject to Paragraph 2 below, all proceeds collected by State Street on investment of cash Collateral or any fee income shall be allocated as follows
- Seventy percent (70%) payable to the Fund, and
- Thirty percent (30%) payable to State Street.
2. All payments to be allocated under Paragraph 1 above shall be made after deduction of such other amounts payable to State Street or to the Borrower under the terms of this Securities Lending Authorization Agreement.
3. Cash Collateral will be invested in the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Prime Portfolio:
On an annualized basis, the management/trustee/custody/fund administration/transfer agent fee for investing cash Collateral in the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Prime Portfolio is not more than 5.00 basis points netted out of yield. The trustee may pay out of the assets of the Portfolio all reasonable expenses and fees of the Portfolio, including professional fees or disbursements incurred in connection with the operation of the Portfolio.
This Schedule is attached to and made part of the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement, dated the 1st day of August 2005 between EACH
TRUST LISTED ON SCHEDULE B HERETO (each a "Trust"), ON BEHALF OF EACH
RESPECTIVE SERIES OF EACH SUCH TRUST (each, a "Fund," and collectively, the
"Funds"), SEVERALLY AND NOT JOINTLY, AS SET FORTH ON SCHEDULE B and
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY ("State Street")
TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION TAX
TRUST NAME FUND NAME NUMBER YEAR-END
---------- --------- ------ --------
PHOENIX SERIES Phoenix Balanced Fund 04-2987660 10/31
Phoenix Capital Growth Fund (f.k.a. 04-2987654 10/31
Phoenix-Engemann Capital Growth Fund)
Phoenix Core Bond Fund 04-2987655 10/31
Phoenix Mid-Cap Growth Fund (f.k.a. 04-2987666 10/31
Phoenix-Engemann Mid-Cap Growth Fund)
Phoenix HighYield (f.k.a. 04-2987667 10/31
Phoenix-Goodwin High Yield Fund)
PHOENIX-KAYNE FUNDS Phoenix Rising Dividends Fund 95-6981193 12/31
(f.k.a. Phoenix-Kayne Rising
Dividends Fund
Phoenix Small-Mid Cap Fund (f.k.a. 95-7015400 12/31
Phoenix-Kayne Small Cap Fund)
Phoenix Overseas Fund (f.k.a. 95-7015412 12/31
Phoenix-Kayne International Fund)
PHOENIX INVESTMENT TRUST 97 Phoenix Small-Cap Value Fund 04-3399200 8/31
|
This Schedule is attached to and made part of the Securities Lending
Authorization Agreement, dated the 1st day of August 2005 between
EACH TRUST LISTED ON SCHEDULE B HERETO (each a "Trust"), ON BEHALF OF EACH
RESPECTIVE SERIES OF EACH SUCH TRUST (each, a "Fund," and collectively, the
"Funds"), SEVERALLY AND NOT JOINTLY, AS SET FORTH ON SCHEDULE B
and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY ("State Street").
ACCEPTABLE FORMS OF COLLATERAL
- Cash (U.S. and foreign currency);
- Securities issued or guaranteed by the United States government or its agencies or instrumentalities;
- Sovereign Debt;
- Irrevocable bank letters of credit issued by a person other than the Borrower or an affiliate of the Borrower may be accepted as Collateral, if State Street has determined that it is appropriate to accept such letters of credit as Collateral under the securities lending programs it administers; and
- Such other Collateral as the parties may agree to in writing from time to time
EXHIBIT h.11
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
SECURITIES LENDING AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT
FIRST AMENDMENT TO
SECURITIES LENDING AUTHORIZATION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
EACH TRUST LISTED ON SCHEDULE B HERETO,
ON BEHALF OF EACH RESPECTIVE SERIES OF EACH SUCH TRUST,
SEVERALLY AND NOT JOINTLY, AS SET FORTH ON SCHEDULE B
AND
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
This First Amendment (this "Amendment") dated as of February 3, 2006 is between Each of the Trusts Listed on Schedule B hereto (each, a "Trust"), on behalf of each respective series of each such Trust, severally and not jointly, as listed, respectively, on Schedule B (each such series, a "Fund", and collectively, the "Funds"), and State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company, its affiliates or subsidiaries (collectively referred to herein as "State Street").
Reference is made to a Securities Lending Authorization Agreement dated August 1, 2005 between the Funds and State Street, as in effect on the date hereof prior to giving effect to this Amendment (the "Agreement"). The Funds and State Street both desire to amend the Agreement as set forth below.
For value received, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually agree to amend the Agreement in the following respect:
1. Definitions. All terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.
The Agreement is hereby amended by deleting Schedule B to the Agreement in its entirety and replacing it with the revised Schedule B attached hereto.
3. Miscellaneous. Except to the extent specifically amended by this Amendment, the provisions of the Agreement shall remain unmodified, and the Agreement is ratified and affirmed as being in full force and effect. This Amendment, the Agreement and the other documents and certificates referred to in the Agreement constitute the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter thereof and supersede all prior and current understandings and agreements, whether written or oral. This Amendment shall be construed in accordance the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
4. Effective Date. This Amendment shall be effective as of the date first written above.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto execute this Amendment as an instrument under seal by their duly authorized officers by affixing their signatures below.
EACH OF THE PHOENIX SERIES FUND, THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND, ON
PHOENIX-KAYNE FUNDS, PHOENIX BEHALF OF EACH RESPECTIVE
INVESTMENT TRUST 97, SERIES OF SUCH TRUST AS SET
PHOENIX-ENGEMANN FUNDS, EQUITY FORTH ON SCHEDULE B, SEVERALLY
TRUST, THE ZWEIG FUND, INC., AND AND NOT JOINTLY
THE ZWEIG TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC.,
ON BEHALF OF EACH RESPECTIVE SERIES
OF EACH SUCH TRUST AS SET FORTH ON
SCHEDULE B, SEVERALLY AND NOT
JOINTLY
By: /s/ Daniel T. Geraci
-----------------------------------
Name: Daniel T Geraci By: /s/ Philip K. Polkinghorn
Title: President --------------------------------
Name: Philip K. Polkinghorn
Title: President
|
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY
By: /s/ John L. Carty
---------------------------------
Name: John L. Carty
Title: Senior Vice President
|
This Schedule is attached to and made part of the Securities Lending
Authorization Agreement, dated the 1st day of August 2005 between EACH TRUST
LISTED ON THIS SCHEDULE B (each a "Trust"), ON BEHALF OF EACH RESPECTIVE SERIES
OF EACH SUCH TRUST (each, a "Fund," and collectively, the "Funds"), SEVERALLY
AND NOT JOINTLY, AS SET FORTH ON THIS SCHEDULE B and STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST
COMPANY ("State Street")
TAXPAYER
IDENTIFICATION TAX LENDING
TRUST NAME FUND NAME NUMBER YEAR-END LIMITS
---------- --------- ------ -------- ------
PHOENIX SERIES FUND Phoenix Balanced Fund 04-2987660 10/31 27%
Phoenix Capital Growth Fund 04-2987654 10/31 27%
(f.k.a. Phoenix-Engemann Capital
Growth Fund)
Phoenix Core Bond Fund 04-2987655 10/31 27%
Phoenix Mid-Cap Growth Fund 04-2987666 10/31 27%
(f.k.a. Phoenix-Engemann Mid-Cap
Growth Fund)
Phoenix HighYield Fund (f.k.a. 04-2987667 10/31 27%
Phoenix-Goodwin High Yield Fund)
PHOENIX-KAYNE FUNDS Phoenix Rising Dividends Fund 95-6981193 12/31 24%
(f.k.a. Phoenix-Kayne Rising
Dividends Fund)
Phoenix Small-Mid Cap Fund (f.k.a. 95-7015400 12/31 24%
Phoenix-Kayne Small Cap Fund)
Phoenix Overseas Fund (f.k.a. 95-7015412 12/31 24%
Phoenix-Kayne International Fund)
PHOENIX INVESTMENT TRUST 97 Phoenix Small-Cap Value Fund 04-3399200 8/31 27%
PHOENIX-ENGEMANN FUNDS Phoenix All-Cap Growth Fund 95-6854473 12/31 27%
PHOENIX EQUITY TRUST Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund 13-6066130 6/30 27%
THE PHOENIX EDGE SERIES FUND Phoenix-Engemann Capital Growth 04-2958529 12/31 27%
Series
Phoenix-Goodwin Mulit-Sector Fixed 04-2958532 12/31 27%
Income Series
Phoenix-Lazard International 03-0467554 12/31 27%
Equity Select Series
Phoenix-Aberdeen International 04-3085418 12/31 27%
Series
Phoenix-Engemann Strategic 04-2958531 12/31 27%
Allocation Series
THE ZWEIG FUND, INC. The Zweig Fund, Inc. 13-3353326 12/31 15%
THE ZWEIG TOTAL RETURN FUND, INC. The Zweig Total Return Fund, Inc. 13-3474242 12/31 15%
|
EXHIBIT j
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated August 22, 2006, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights which appears in the June 30, 2006 Annual Report to Shareholders of Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund, Phoenix Pathfinder Fund, Phoenix Total Value Fund, and Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund (constituting Phoenix Equity Trust), which are also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Financial Highlights", "Non-Public Holdings Information", "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" and "Reports to Shareholders" in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Boston, Massachusetts October 26, 2006 |
Exhibit n
PHOENIX FUNDS
2006 AMENDED AND RESTATED
PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 18F-3
UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
PHOENIX FUNDS
2006 AMENDED AND RESTATED
PLAN PURSUANT TO RULE 18F-3
UNDER THE
INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
INTRODUCTION
The Purpose of this Plan is to specify the attributes of the classes of shares offered by the Phoenix Family of Funds including the expense allocations, conversion features and exchange features of each class, as required by Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"). The Phoenix Funds are comprised of several trusts (each a "Trust" or "Trusts") which in turn are comprised of a number of funds (each a "Fund" or "Funds") offering various classes of shares, all of which are listed on the attached Schedule A. In general, shares of each class will have the same rights and obligations except for one or more expense variables (which will result in different yields, dividends and, in the case of the Trusts' non-money market portfolios, net asset values for the different classes), certain related voting and other rights, exchange privileges, conversion rights and class designation.
GENERAL FEATURES OF THE CLASSES
Shares of each class of a Fund of the Trusts shall represent an equal
pro rata interest in such Fund and, generally, shall have identical voting,
dividend, liquidation and other rights, preferences, powers, restrictions,
limitations, qualifications, designations and terms and conditions, except that:
(a) each class shall have a different designation; (b) each class shall bear any
class expenses: (c) each class shall have exclusive voting rights on any matter
submitted to shareholders that relates solely to its arrangement and each class
shall have separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in
which the interests of one class differ from the interests of any other class;
and (d) each class may have different exchange and/or conversion features.
ALLOCATION OF INCOME AND EXPENSES
i. General.
The gross income, realized and unrealized capital gains and losses and expenses (other than Class Expenses, as defined below) of each Fund shall be allocated to each class on the basis of its net asset value relative to the net asset value of the Fund.
ii. Class Expenses.
Expenses attributable to a particular class ("Class Expenses") shall be limited to Rule 12b-1 and shareholder servicing fees and such other expenses as designated by the Fund's
Treasurer, subject to Board approval or ratification. Class Expenses shall be allocated to the class for which they are incurred.
In the event that a particular class expense is no longer reasonably allocable by class or to a particular class, it shall be treated as a Fund expense and in the event a Fund expense becomes allocable as a Class Expense, it shall be so allocated, subject to compliance with Rule 18f-3 and Board approval or ratification.
The initial determination of expenses that will be allocated as Class Expenses and any subsequent changes thereto as set forth in this Plan shall be reviewed by the Board of Trustees and approved by such Board and by a majority of the Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the 1940 Act ("Independent Trustees").
DESIGNATION OF THE CLASSES AND SPECIFIC FEATURES
The types of classes of each of the Funds that are money market portfolios operating pursuant to Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act ("Money Market Funds") are: "A Shares" and "Institutional Shares", and, in the case of the Phoenix Insight Money Market Fund, "Exchange Shares". Types of classes of each of the other Funds include: "A Shares", "B Shares", "C Shares", "T Shares", "X Shares", "Y Shares" and "Institutional Shares." To the extent that more than one class is offered by a Fund, each class of such Fund has a different arrangement for shareholder services or distribution or both, as follows:
A SHARES
A Shares are offered at net asset value plus an initial sales charge as set forth in the then current prospectuses of a Fund, except for the Money Market Funds which are offered at net asset value. The initial sales charge may be waived or reduced on certain types of purchases as set forth in the Fund's then current prospectus. In certain cases, A Shares, other than the Money Market Funds, are also offered subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (subject to certain reductions or eliminations of the sales charge as described in the applicable prospectus).
A Shares of a Fund pay Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation (the "Distributor") Rule 12b-1 fees of up to 0.25%, (annualized) of the average daily net assets of the Fund's A Shares, with the exception of Phoenix Money Market Fund which pays no 12b-1 fee and the Phoenix Insight Government Money Market Fund, Phoenix Insight Money Market Fund and Phoenix Insight Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund ("Insight Money Market Funds"), each of which pays fees of up to 0.10% under a Rule 12b-1 plan and fees of up to 0.25% under a shareholder servicing plan not adopted under Rule 12b-1. In addition, the Phoenix Market Neutral Fund is authorized to pay an additional 12b-1 fee of 0.05% per annum of the average daily net asset value of A Shares. These fees are used primarily for shareholder servicing activities such as processing purchase, exchange and redemption requests from customers placing orders with the transfer agent; processing dividend and distribution payments from the Funds on behalf of customers; providing information periodically to customers showing their positions in shares; providing sub-accounting with respect to shares beneficially owned by customers or the information necessary for sub-accounting; responding to inquiries from customers concerning
their investment in shares; arranging for bank wires and providing such other similar services as may reasonably be requested ("Shareholder Servicing Activities"). A Shares do not have a conversion feature.
B SHARES
B Shares of a Fund are offered at net asset value without the imposition of any sales charge. B Shares are also offered subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. B Shares of a Fund pay the Distributor fees of 0.25% (annualized) of the average daily net assets of the Fund's B Shares for Shareholder Servicing Activities and a distribution fee of up to 0.75% (annualized) of the average daily net assets of the Fund's B Shares pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan (0.50% for Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund) for distribution related services. Distribution related services include compensation, sales incentives and payments to sales, marketing and service personnel, payment of expenses incurred for advertising and marketing the Funds and the cost of printing Fund prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information for distribution to potential investors ("Distribution Services"). B Shares will automatically convert to A Shares of a portfolio, without a sales charge, at the relative net asset values of each of such classes, not later than eight years (seven years for Phoenix Market Neutral Fund) from the acquisition of the B Shares. The conversion of B Shares to A Shares is subject to the continuing availability of an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the conversion of shares does not constitute a taxable event under Federal income tax law.
C SHARES
C Shares of a Fund are offered at net asset value without the imposition of any sales charge. C Shares are also offered subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. C Shares of a Fund pay the Distributor fees of 0.25% (annualized) of the average daily net assets of the Fund's C Shares for Shareholder Servicing Activities and a distribution fee of up to 0.75% (annualized) of the average daily net assets of the Fund's C Shares pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan (0.25% for Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund) for Distribution Services. C Shares do not have a conversion feature.
T SHARES
T Shares of a Fund are offered at net asset value without the imposition of a sales charge. T Shares are also offered subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. T Shares of a Fund pay the Distributor fees of 0.25% (annualized) of the average daily net assets of the Fund's T Shares for Shareholder Servicing Activities and a distribution fee of up to 0.75% (annualized) of the average daily net assets of the Fund's T Shares pursuant to a Rule 12b-1 plan for Distribution Services. T Shares do not have a conversion feature.
X SHARES
X Shares of a Fund are offered at net asset value without the imposition of any sales charge, Rule 12b-1 or shareholder servicing fees. X Shares do not have a conversion feature.
Y SHARES
Y Shares of a Fund are offered at net asset value without the imposition of a sales charge. Y Shares of a Fund pay the Distributor a fee of up to 0.25% (annualized) of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Y Shares pursuant to a 12b-1 plan for Shareholder Servicing Activities. Y Shares do not have a conversion feature.
EXCHANGE SHARES
Exchange Shares of the Phoenix Insight Money Market Fund are offered at net asset value without the imposition of any sales charge.
Exchange Shares of the Phoenix Insight Money Market Fund pay the Distributor a fee of up to 0.10% (annualized) of the average daily net assets of the Fund's Exchange Shares pursuant to a shareholder servicing plan for Shareholder Servicing Activities. Exchange Shares do not have a conversion feature.
INSTITUTIONAL SHARES
Institutional Shares of a Fund are offered at net asset value without the imposition of any sales charge.
Institutional Shares of the Funds pay the Distributor a fee of up to 0.25% (annualized) of the average daily net assets of the Funds' Institutional Shares pursuant to a shareholder servicing plan for Shareholder Servicing Activities. Institutional Shares do not have a conversion feature.
VOTING RIGHTS
Each class shall have exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to its arrangement. Each class shall have separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interest of any other class.
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGES
Shareholders of a class may exchange their shares for shares of another Fund in accordance with Section 11(a) of the 1940 Act, the rules thereunder and the requirements of the applicable prospectuses as follows: Each class of shares of a Fund may be exchanged for the corresponding class of shares of another Fund except for Exchange Shares of the Phoenix Insight Money Market Fund which have no exchange privileges. Shareholders of Class T of Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond Fund may exchange shares of such class for Class C shares in any other affiliated Phoenix Fund for which exchange privileges are available, at the relative net asset values of the respective shares to be exchanged and with no sales charge, provided the shares to be acquired in the exchange are, as may be necessary, qualified for sale in the shareholder's state of residence and subject to the applicable requirements, if any as to minimum amount.
BOARD REVIEW
The Board of Trustees shall review this Plan as frequently as they deem necessary. Prior to any material amendments(s) to this Plan, the Trust's Board including a majority of the Board Members who are not interested (including any proposed amendments to the method of allocating class and/or Fund expenses), must find that the Plan is in the best interest of each class of shares of the Trust individually and the Trust as a whole. In considering whether to approve any proposed amendment(s) to the Plan, the Board of Trustees of the Trust shall request and evaluate such information as they consider reasonably necessary to evaluate the proposed amendment(s) to the Plan.
Approved: August 23, 2006.
SCHEDULE A
(as of August 23, 2006)
Class Class Class Class Class Class Class Class
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
A B C E I T X Y
- - - - - - - -
Phoenix Adviser Trust
Phoenix Focused Value Fund X X
Phoenix Foreign Opportunities Fund X X X
Phoenix Asset Trust
Phoenix CA Intermediate Tax-Free Bond X
Fund
Phoenix Rising Dividends Fund X X X X
Phoenix Small-Mid Cap Fund X X X X
Phoenix CA Tax-Exempt Bond Fund X X
Phoenix Equity Series Fund
Phoenix Growth & Income Fund X X X
Phoenix Equity Trust
Phoenix Mid-Cap Value Fund X X
Phoenix Pathfinder Fund X X
Phoenix Relative Value Fund X X
Phoenix Total Value Fund X X
Phoenix Worldwide Strategies Fund X X X
Phoenix Insight Funds Trust
Phoenix Insight Balanced Fund X X X
Phoenix Insight Bond Fund X X X
Phoenix Insight Core Equity Fund X X X
Phoenix Insight Emerging Markets Fund X X X
Phoenix Insight Equity Fund X X X
Phoenix Insight Government Money Market X X
Fund
Phoenix Insight High Yield Bond Fund X X X
Phoenix Insight Index Fund X X
Phoenix Insight Intermediate Government X X
Bond Fund
Phoenix Insight Intermediate Tax-Exempt X X X
Bond Fund
Phoenix Insight International Fund X X X
Phoenix Insight Money Market Fund X X X
Phoenix Insight Short/Intermediate Bond X X X
Fund
Phoenix Insight Small-Cap Growth Fund X X X
Phoenix Insight Small-Cap Opportunity Fund X X X
Phoenix Insight Small-Cap Value Fund X X X
Phoenix Insight Tax-Exempt Bond Fund X X X
Phoenix Insight Tax-Exempt Money Market X X
Fund
Phoenix Institutional Mutual Funds
Phoenix Institutional Bond Fund X X
Phoenix Low-Duration Core Plus Bond Fund X X
|
Class Class Class Class Class Class Class Class
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
A B C E I T X Y
- - - - - - - -
Phoenix Investment Series Fund
Phoenix Global Utilities Fund X X
Phoenix Income & Growth Fund X X X
Phoenix Investment Trust 06
Phoenix All-Cap Growth Fund X X X
Phoenix Nifty Fifty Fund X X X
Phoenix Small-Cap Growth Fund X X X
Phoenix Investment Trust 97
Phoenix Quality Small-Cap Fund X X X
Phoenix Small-Cap Sustainable Growth Fund X X X
Phoenix Small-Cap Value Fund X X X
Phoenix Value Equity Fund X X X
Phoenix Multi-Portfolio Fund
Phoenix Emerging Markets Bond Fund X X X
Phoenix International Strategies Fund X X X
Phoenix Real Estate Securities Fund X X X
Phoenix Tax-Exempt Bond Fund X X
Phoenix Multi-Series Trust
Phoenix High Yield Securities Fund X X
Phoenix Multi-Sector Fixed Income Fund X X X
Phoenix Multi-Sector Short Term Bond X X X X
Fund
Phoenix Opportunities Trust
Phoenix Bond Fund X X X X
Phoenix Earnings Driven Growth Fund X X X X
Phoenix Growth Opportunities Fund X X
Phoenix PHOLIOs(SM)
Phoenix Conservative Income PHOLIO X X
Phoenix Diversifier PHOLIO X X
Phoenix International PHOLIO X X
Phoenix Wealth Accumulator PHOLIO X X
Phoenix Wealth Builder PHOLIO X X
Phoenix Wealth Guardian PHOLIO X X
Phoenix Wealth Preserver PHOLIO X X
Phoenix Portfolios
Phoenix Market Neutral Fund X X X
Phoenix Series Fund
Phoenix Balanced Fund X X X
Phoenix Capital Growth Fund X X
Phoenix Core Bond Fund X X X
Phoenix High Yield Fund X X X
Phoenix Mid-Cap Growth Fund X X X
Phoenix Money Market Fund X
|
Class Class Class Class Class Class Class Class
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
A B C E I T X Y
- - - - - - - -
Phoenix Strategic Equity Series Fund
Phoenix Dynamic Growth Fund X X
Phoenix Fundamental Growth Fund X X
Phoenix Large-Cap Growth Fund X X X X
Phoenix Strategic Growth Fund X X X
|
EXHIBIT p.1
CODE OF ETHICS
This Code of Ethics applies to all Access Persons of each Phoenix advisory and broker-dealer subsidiary in their management and administration of the Funds(1). The Advisers include Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc.; Duff & Phelps Investment Management Co.; Engemann Asset Management; Euclid Advisors, LLC; Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management, LLC, Phoenix Variable Advisors, Inc.; Seneca Capital Management, LLC; and Phoenix/Zweig Advisers LLC (for use herein referred to collectively as "Adviser"). Phoenix Equity Planning Corporation is a registered broker/dealer, a related subsidiary which currently provide services to the Funds and acts as the principal underwriter of the Funds. Access Persons of the investment advisers and subadvisers to the Funds that are not affiliated with Phoenix are governed by separate codes. To the extent necessary, each subsidiary may impose further limitations of personal trading subject to notifying the Chief Legal Officer and the Chief Compliance Officer of the applicable Fund.
NOTWITHSTANDING THE ABOVE, THE PROHIBITIONS IN SECTION 2 BELOW ARE IMPOSED BY RULE 17j-1, AND APPLY TO ALL AFFILIATED PERSONS OF THE FUNDS AND THEIR INVESTMENT ADVISERS AND SUBADVISERS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE GOVERNED BY THIS CODE OF ETHICS.
1. STATEMENT OF ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
Each Adviser holds its employees to a high standard of integrity and business practices. In serving their respective shareholders and clients, each Adviser strives to avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest in connection with the personal trading activities of its employees and the Fund's securities transactions.
While affirming their confidence in the integrity and good faith of all of their employees, officers, trustees, and directors, each Adviser recognizes that the knowledge of present or future portfolio transactions or the power to influence portfolio transactions, if held by such individuals, could place them in a position where their personal interests might conflict with the interests of the Fund, if they were to trade in securities eligible for investment by the Fund.
In view of the foregoing and of the provisions of Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), each Adviser has determined to adopt this Code of Ethics to specify and prohibit certain types of transactions deemed to create conflicts of interest (or at least the potential for or the appearance of such a conflict) and to establish reporting requirements and enforcement procedures.
When Access Persons covered by the terms of this Code of Ethics engage in personal securities transactions, they must adhere to the following general principles as well as to the Code's specific provisions:
(a) At all times, the interests of Fund shareholders must be paramount;
(b) Personal transactions must be conducted consistent with this Code of Ethics in a manner that avoids any actual or potential conflict of interest; and
(c) No inappropriate advantage should be taken of any position of trust and responsibility.
(d) Compliance with all applicable federal securities laws must be maintained.
2. UNLAWFUL ACTIONS
It is unlawful for any Affiliated person of any Fund or any of its Advisers, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by the person of a Security Held or to be Acquired by any Fund:
(a) to employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any Fund;
(b) to make any untrue statement of a material fact to any Fund or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to any Fund, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;
(c) to engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on any Fund; or to engage in any manipulative practice with respect to any Fund.
(d) to divulge or act upon any material, non-public information, as such term is defined under relevant securities laws.
3. DEFINITIONS
(a) "Access Person": pursuant to Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, means any Advisory Person of a Fund or of a Fund's investment adviser. All of Advisers directors, officers, and general partners are presumed to be Access Persons of any Fund advised by the investment adviser. All of the Funds directors, officers, and general partners are presumed to be Access Persons of the Fund.
(b) In addition, Access Persons include any director, officer or general partner of PEPCO, the principal underwriter of the Funds, who, in the ordinary course of business, makes, participates in or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Fund for which PEPCO acts, or whose functions
or duties in the ordinary course of business relate to the making of any recommendation to the Fund regarding the purchase or sale of Covered Securities.
(c) Advisory Person of a Fund or of a Fund's investment adviser means:
(i) Any director, officer, general partner or employee of the Fund or investment advisor (or of any company in a control relationship to the Fund or investment adviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding, the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by a Fund, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales; and
(ii) Any natural person in a control relationship to the Fund or investment adviser who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Fund with regard to the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Fund.
(iii) Any Investment Personnel.
(d) "Affiliated person" of an issuer is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such issuer.
(e) "Beneficial ownership" shall be interpreted in the same manner as
it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) in determining whether a
person is the beneficial owner of a security for purposes of
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act") and the rules and regulations thereunder. Generally,
beneficial ownership means having or sharing, directly or
indirectly through any contract, arrangement, understanding,
relationship, or otherwise, a direct or indirect "pecuniary
interest" in the security. For the purposes hereof,
(i) "Pecuniary interest" means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the security.
(ii) "Indirect pecuniary interest" includes, but is not limited to: (a) securities held by members of the person's "immediate family" (this means any child, child-in-law, stepchild, grandchild, parent, parent-in-law, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, or sibling-in-law and includes adoptive relationships) sharing the same household (which ownership interest may be rebutted); (b) a general partner's proportionate interest in portfolio securities held by a general or limited partnership; (c) a person's right to dividends that is separated or separable from the underlying securities (otherwise, a right to dividends alone will not constitute a pecuniary interest in securities); (d) a person's interest in securities held by a trust; (e) a person's right to acquire securities through the exercise or conversion of any derivative security, whether or not presently exercisable; and (f) a
performance-related fee, other than an asset based fee, received by any broker, dealer, bank, insurance company, investment company, investment manager, trustee, or person or entity performing a similar function, with certain exceptions (see Rule 16a-1(a)(2)).
(f) "Chief Compliance Officer" refers to the person appointed by the Boards of the funds pursuant to the provisions of Rule 38a-1. Such person is identified on Schedule A hereto.
(g) "Compliance Officer" may refer to the Fund's designated Compliance Officer or an Adviser's Compliance Officer or any person designated by each such to perform the administrative functions of this Code. Such persons are identified on Schedule B hereto.
(h) "Control" shall have the same meaning as that set forth in
Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act.
(i) "Covered Security" means all securities, including exchange traded funds and those issued by any reportable fund, except securities that are direct obligations of the Government of the United States, bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and shares of traditional, unaffiliated registered open-end investment companies.
(j) "Disinterested Trustee" means a Trustee of a Fund who is not an "interested person" of the Fund within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.
(k) "Initial Public Offering" means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(l) "Investment Personnel" shall mean:
(i) any employee of the Fund or Adviser (or of any company in a control relationship to the Fund or Adviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes or participates in making recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Fund; and
(ii) any natural person who controls the Fund or an Adviser and who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Fund regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Fund. Investment Personnel includes any Portfolio Manager or other investment person, such as an analyst or trader, who provides information and advice to a Portfolio Manager or assists in the execution of the investment decisions.
(m) "Limited Offering" or "Private Placement" means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) thereof, or pursuant to Rule 504, Rule 505, or Rule 506 thereunder.
(n) "Managed Portfolio" shall mean those Funds, individually and collectively, for which the Portfolio Manager makes buy and sell decisions. For those Funds operating as series companies, Managed Portfolio shall include only the series for which the Portfolio Manager serves as the Portfolio Manager.
(o) "Portfolio Manager" means the person or portfolio management team entrusted to make or participate in the making of the buy and sell decisions for a Fund, or series thereof; as disclosed in the Fund(s) prospectus.
(p) "Purchase or sale of a security" includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a security or the purchase or sale of a security that is exchangeable for or convertible into a security.
(q) "Reportable Fund" includes those 1940 Act registered investment companies for which the Adviser or an affiliate acts as adviser or sub-adviser, or principal underwriter.
(r) "Security" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act.
(s) "Security Held or to be Acquired" by a Fund means:
(i) any Covered Security which, within the most recent 15 days:
(A) is or has been held by the Fund; or
(B) is being or has been considered by the Fund or any of
its investment advisers for purchase by the Fund; and
(ii) any option to purchase or sell, and any security convertible into or exchangeable for, a Covered Security described in paragraph (p)(i) of this Section.
A security is "being considered for purchase or sale" when a recommendation to purchase or sell a security has been made and communicated and, with respect to the Investment Personnel making the recommendation, when such person seriously considers making such a recommendation.
4. EXEMPTED TRANSACTIONS
The preclearance prohibitions of Section 5 of this Code, shall not apply to:
(a) Purchases or sales effected in any account over which the Advisory Person has no direct or indirect influence or control in the reasonable estimation of the Adviser's Compliance Officer. This exemption will also apply to personal brokerage
accounts for which a third party (e.g. broker, financial advisor) makes all investment decisions on behalf of the Access Person. The discretionary arrangement must be documented to the Adviser's Compliance Officer or his or her designee.
(b) Purchases or sales of securities not eligible for purchase or sale by the Fund.
(c) Purchases or sales which are non-volitional on the part of either the Advisory Person or the Fund.
(d) Purchases of shares necessary to establish an automatic dividend reinvestment plan or pursuant to an automatic dividend reinvestment plan, and subsequent sales of such securities.
(e) Purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired.
(f) Purchase or sale of securities issued under an employee stock purchase or incentive program unless otherwise restricted.
5. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
(a) IPO Rule: No Advisory Person may directly or indirectly acquire beneficial ownership in any securities in an Initial Public Offering (including IPOs offered through the Internet), except with the prior written approval of the Adviser's Compliance Officer. No NASD registered person may participate in an IPO pursuant to NASD Rule 2790.
(b) Limited Offering/Private Placement Rule: No Advisory Person may directly or indirectly acquire beneficial ownership in any securities in a Limited Offering or Private Placement except with the prior written approval of the Adviser's Compliance Officer.
(i) The Adviser's Compliance Officer will make a record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to grant approval for transactions in IPOs and Limited Offerings, and will maintain these records for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted.
(c) Preclearance Rule: No Advisory Person may directly or indirectly acquire or dispose of beneficial ownership in a Covered Security unless such transaction has been precleared by the Adviser's Compliance Officer. Preclearance is required prior to executing any trade through any personal brokerage account, unless specifically exempted under Section 4 above. Preclearance is valid through the business day next following the day preclearance is given.
(i) The Adviser's Compliance Officer will monitor investment activity by the Advisory Person involving the precleared transaction.
(ii) Compliance reserves up to one business day to respond to any request for preclearance.
NOTE: EACH ADVISER'S COMPLIANCE OFFICER MAY DENY APPROVAL OF ANY TRANSACTION REQUIRING PRECLEARANCE UNDER THIS PRECLEARANCE RULE, EVEN IF THE TRANSACTION IS NOMINALLY PERMITTED UNDER THIS CODE OF ETHICS, IF HE OR SHE REASONABLY BELIEVES THAT DENYING PRECLEARANCE IS NECESSARY FOR THE PROTECTION OF A FUND. ANY SUCH DENIAL MAY BE APPEALED TO THE FUND'S CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER. THE DECISION OF THE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER SHALL BE FINAL.
(d) Open Order Rule: No Advisory Person may directly or indirectly acquire or dispose of beneficial ownership in any Covered Security on a day during which a Fund has a pending "buy" or "sell" order for that security of the same type (i.e., buy or sell) as the proposed personal trade, until the Fund's order is executed or withdrawn.
Exceptions: The following securities transactions are exempt from the Open Order Rule:
1. Purchases or sales of up to 500 shares of an issuer ranked in the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index (S&P 500) at the time of purchase or sale The Adviser's Compliance Officer shall make available an updated list of such issuers quarterly.
2. Purchases or sales approved by the Adviser's Compliance Officer in his/her discretion.
(e) Blackout Rule: No Investment Personnel may directly or indirectly acquire or dispose of beneficial ownership in a Covered Security within seven calendar days before and after a Managed Portfolio trades in that Security.
Transactions permitted under the Blackout Rule must also satisfy the Open Order Rule and the Preclearance Rule, if and to the extent the transaction is not covered by exceptions to those rules.
(f) Ban on Short-term Trading. Advisory Persons must hold each Security for a period of not less than sixty (60) days from date of acquisition.
(g) Gifts. No Access Person shall accept any gift or other item (for the purpose of this Code "gifts" include but are not limited to cash, merchandise, gifts, prizes, travel expenses, meals and certain types of entertainment) of more than $100 in value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of the Advisor or the Fund. All gifts and entertainment received or given must be reported to the Advisor's Compliance Department.
ANY PROFITS REALIZED BY A PORTFOLIO MANAGER ON A PERSONAL TRADE IN VIOLATION OF SECTIONS 5(d) (e) AND (f) MUST BE DISGORGED AT THE REQUEST OF THE FUND.
(h) Service as Director. No Advisory Person shall serve on the board of directors of a publicly traded company without prior authorization by the President or the Compliance Officer of the Fund. If board service is authorized, such Advisory Person shall have no role in making investment decisions with respect to the publicly traded company.
(i) Market Timing Prohibited. No Portfolio Manager shall engage in excessive trading or market timing activities with respect to any mutual fund whether or not such mutual fund is a Managed Portfolio, or is managed by such Adviser/Subadvisor or any affiliated adviser or subadviser. For the purposes of the foregoing, "market timing" shall be defined as a purchase and redemption, regardless of size, in and out of the same mutual fund within any sixty (60) day period. The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to Portfolio Managers investing in mutual funds through automatic reinvestment programs, and any other non-volitional investment vehicles. Portfolio Managers shall provide quarterly certifications as to their compliance with this restriction.
6. REPORTING AND COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES
(a) The Code of Ethics, and any amendments thereto, shall be provided to every Access Person.
(b) All Access Persons (other than Disinterested Trustees) shall direct their brokers to supply, at the same time that they are sent to the Access Person, a copy of the confirmation for each personal securities trade and a copy of each periodic account statement to the Adviser's Compliance Officer.
(c) Every Access Person shall report to the Fund the information described in Section 6(c) of this Code with respect to transactions in any Covered Security in which such Access Person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Covered Security, provided that
(i) a Disinterested Trustee of the Fund need not report securities transactions unless the Trustee knew or, in the ordinary course of fulfilling his or her official duties as a Fund Trustee, should have known that during the 15-day period immediately before or after the Trustee's transaction in a Covered Security, the Fund purchased or sold the Covered Security or the Fund or any of its investment advisers or subadvisers considered purchasing or selling the Covered Security, and
(ii) An Access Person whose duplicate broker trade
confirmations or account statements are received by the
Adviser's Compliance Officer, pursuant to Section 6(a)
with respect to the time period required by Section 6(c),
may reference that duplicate information in their
quarterly report if all of the information required in
Section 6(c) is contained in those confirmations and
statements.
(d) Every report required pursuant to Section 6(b) above shall be made not later than 15 days after the end of the calendar quarter in which the transaction to which the report relates was effected, and shall contain the following information:
(i) with respect to any transaction during the quarter in a Covered Security in which the Access Person (other than Disinterested Trustees) had or acquired any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:
(A) The date of the transaction, the title and number of shares; the maturity date, principal amount and interest rate of debt securities, of each Covered Security involved; and, as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number;
(B) The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale, or any other type of acquisition or disposition);
(C) The price of the Covered Security at which the transaction was effected; and
(D) The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected; and
(ii) with respect to any account established during the quarter in which Securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person:
(A) The name of the broker, dealer, or bank with whom the Access Person established the account; and
(B) The date the account was established.
(iii) Access Persons are required to report transactions in any affiliated mutual fund for which they have any direct or indirect beneficial ownership; except as specifically exempted by Section 4 above.
(iv) The date the report is submitted by the Access Person.
(e) No later than 10 days after becoming an Access Person, and annually thereafter on or before January 31 of each year, each Access Person (other than Disinterested
Trustees) must submit to the Adviser's Compliance Officer a report of his or her personal securities holdings (the "Initial Holdings Report" and the "Annual Holdings Report", respectively), which must include the following information (the Applicable Date for the Initial Holdings Report is the date the person became an Access Person; the Applicable Date for the Annual Holdings Report must be a date no earlier than December 31 of the prior year):
(i) The title and number of shares; and/or the maturity date, principal amount and interest rate of debt securities; and, as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number of each Covered Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership as of the Applicable Date.
(ii) The name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintained an account in which securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person as of the Applicable Date.
(iii) The date the report is submitted by the Access Person.
(f) Each Access Person (other than Disinterested Trustees) shall submit annually to the Adviser's Compliance Officer a certification by the Access Person that he or she has received, read and understood the Code of Ethics, has complied with the Code's requirements, and has disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the Code's requirements. The certification will be submitted to the Compliance Officer by January 31 of each year.
(g) Any report made under this Section 6 may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which the report relates.
(h) (i) Each Fund's Compliance Officer shall furnish to the applicable Fund's Board of Trustees annually, and such Board will consider, a written report that:
(A) Summarizes the current procedures under the Code of Ethics;
(B) Describes any issues arising from the Code of Ethics or procedures since the last report to the Board, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the Code or procedures and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and
(C) Certifies that the Fund or the Adviser, as applicable, has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating the Code.
(ii) The Fund's Compliance Officer shall obtain from each investment adviser and the subadviser to the Fund whose Access Persons are governed by its own Code of Ethics, a written report including the information and certification required in (B) and (C) above with respect to that Code.
(iii) The Board will consider all of these reports.
(iv) These reports will be available to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds.
(i) Any Access Person shall immediately report any potential violation of this Code of which he or she becomes aware to the Adviser's Compliance Officer.
(j) An Access Person need not make reports under this Section 6 with respect to transactions effected for any account over which such person does not have any direct or indirect influence or control.
(k) Each Adviser's Compliance Officer will review all reports and other information submitted under this Section 6. This review will include such comparisons with trading records of the Fund as are necessary or appropriate to determine whether there have been any violations of the Code.
(l) Each Adviser's Compliance Officer will maintain a list of all Access Persons who are required to make reports under the Code, and shall inform those Access Persons of their reporting obligations. Each Adviser's Compliance Officer shall promptly notify any Access Person when any report has not been filed on a timely basis.
(m) Please refer to Schedule B for person(s) to contact for preclearance and to file Annual Holdings and Quarterly Personal Securities Transaction reports.
7. SANCTIONS
Upon discovering a violation of this Code, the Board of Trustees of a Fund may impose such sanctions as it deems appropriate, including inter alia, a letter of censure or suspension or termination of employment, or suspension of personal trading privileges for such period as it may deem appropriate. Provided further, the Adviser's Compliance Officer shall review and present sanctions levied for non-compliance at each regularly scheduled Board meeting. Please see attached Schedule A of Sanctions that may be levied for violations of this Code.
8. EXCEPTIONS
Each Adviser's Compliance Officer, in consultation with the Chief Legal Officer, may grant written exceptions to provisions of the Code based on equitable considerations. The
exceptions may be granted to individuals or classes of individuals with respect to particular transactions, classes of transactions or all transactions, and may apply to past as well as future transactions, provided, however, that no exception will be granted where the exceptions would result in a violation of Rule 17j-1. To the extent any such exception relates to an Access Person of a Fund, the exception will be reported to a Fund's Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Compliance Officer shall promptly report any and all exceptions to the Chief Compliance Officer of the applicable Fund and the Chief Compliance Officer may provide an independent report to the applicable Board regarding his/her assessment of the merits and potential repercussions of granting any such exceptions.
9. RECORDKEEPING
All Code of Ethics records will be maintained pursuant to the provisions of Rules 17j-1 and 204A-1.
10. OTHER CODES OF ETHICS
This Code of Ethics does not amend or supercede any other Code(s) of Ethics that may affect the duties and obligations of any person affected hereby.
(Revised February 2006; Adopted by the Board of Trustees of The Phoenix Edge Series Fund March 21, 2006)
SCHEDULE A
Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds: Marc Baltuch SCHEDULE B Person to contact for preclearance and reporting requirements: Frances Crisafulli |
CERTIFICATION:
By my signature below, I certify that I have received, read, and understood the foregoing policies of the Phoenix Funds Code of Ethics, and will comply in all respects with such policies.
Name Date
Please print or type name: ___________________________________
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Q REPORT AFFILIATED MF
INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORT Q REPORT TRANSACTIONS ANNUAL REPORT PRE-CLEAR
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Access Persons All Access Persons Investment Personnel All Access Persons Advisory Persons
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o 1st violation - written o 1st violation - o 1st violation - o 1st violation - o 1st violation - written
warning written warning written warning written warning warning
o 2nd violation within o 2nd violation within o 2nd violation within o 2nd violation within
the same year - $50.00 the same year - $50.00 the same year - $50.00 the same year - $100
fine payable to the fine payable to the fine payable to the fine payable to the
Phoenix Foundation Phoenix Foundation Phoenix Foundation Phoenix Foundation and
o 3rd violation within o 3rd violation within o 3rd violation within suspension of trading
the same year - suspension the same year - the same year - privileges for 30 days
of trading privileges for suspension of trading suspension of trading o 3rd violation within
30 days privileges for 30 days privileges for 30 days the same year -
suspension of trading
privileges for 90 days
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARKET TIMING
PRE-CLEAR IPOS & LIMITED 60-DAY HOLDING PROHIBITION
OFFERINGS* BLACKOUT REQUIREMENT AND Q CERTIFICATE OPEN ORDER RULE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advisory Personnel Investment Personnel Advisory Personnel Investment Personnel Investment Personnel
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o 1st violation - o 1st violation - o 1st violation - o 1st violation - o 1st violation -
Reported to Chief Legal disgorgement of profits written warning possible grounds Reported to Chief
Officer and President of on the personal trade o 2nd violation - for termination at Legal Officer and
Phoenix Investment Counsel o 2nd violation - violation within the determination of President of Phoenix
for determination of Reported to Chief Legal same year - $50.00 Chief Legal Investment Counsel for
appropriate sanctions. Officer and President fine payable to the Officer and determination of
o 2nd violation - of Phoenix Investment Phoenix Foundation President of appropriate sanctions.
possible grounds for Counsel for o 3rd violation within Phoenix Investment o 2nd violation -
termination determination of the same year - Counsel possible grounds for
appropriate sanctions. suspension of trading termination
o 3rd violation - privileges for 60 days
possible grounds for
termination
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
*s/t NASD Prohibition Rule 2790.
EXHIBIT p.2
CODE OF ETHICS
This Code of Ethics applies to all Access Persons of Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc.
1. STATEMENT OF ETHICAL PRINCIPLES
The Adviser holds its employees to a high standard of integrity and business practices. In serving their respective shareholders and clients, the Adviser strives to avoid conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest in connection with the personal trading activities of its employees and the securities transactions in any managed account.
While affirming their confidence in the integrity and good faith of all of their employees, officers, trustees, and directors, the Adviser recognizes that the knowledge of present or future portfolio transactions or the power to influence portfolio transactions, if held by such individuals, could place them in a position where their personal interests might conflict with the interests of the managed account, if they were to trade in securities eligible for investment by the managed account.
In view of the foregoing and of the provisions of Sections 204-2 and 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, the Adviser has determined to adopt this Code of Ethics to specify and prohibit certain types of transactions deemed to create conflicts of interest (or at least the potential for or the appearance of such a conflict) and to establish reporting requirements and enforcement procedures. When Access Persons covered by the terms of this Code of Ethics engage in personal securities transactions, they must adhere to the following general principles as well as to the Code's specific provisions:
(a) At all times, the interests of the Adviser and the Adviser's clients must be paramount;
(b) Personal transactions must be conducted consistent with this Code of Ethics in a manner that avoids any actual or potential conflict of interest; and
(c) No inappropriate advantage should be taken of any position of trust and responsibility.
(d) Compliance with all applicable federal securities laws must be maintained, to include the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(e) Access Persons are required to adhere to the standards of business conduct outlined in The Phoenix Companies Code of Conduct.
(f) Access Persons of the Advisor are required to adhere to the Phoenix Funds Code of Ethics.
2. UNLAWFUL ACTIONS
It is unlawful for any Affiliated person, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, by the person of a Security Held or to be Acquired by any client account:
(a) to employ any device, scheme or artifice to defraud any client;
(b) to make any untrue statement of a material fact to any client or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made to any client, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading;
(c) to engage in any act, practice or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on any client; or to engage in any manipulative practice with respect to any client;
(d) to divulge or act upon any material, non-public information, as such term is defined under relevant securities laws.
3. DEFINITIONS
(a) "Access Person" means any Director, officer, general partner, Portfolio Manager or Advisory Person of the adviser. An Access person is any supervised person who has access to nonpublic information regarding purchase or sales in managed accounts, or portfolio holdings of a managed account. The Compliance Department shall maintain a list of the Adviser's Access Persons.
(b) "Adviser" means Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc.
(c) "Advisory Person" means
(i) any employee of the Adviser or of any company in a control relationship to the Adviser, who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Adviser for a Client, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases or sales; and
(ii) Any natural person in a control relationship to the Fund or investment adviser who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Fund with regard to the purchase or sale of Covered Securities by the Fund.
(iii) Any Investment Personnel.
(d) "Beneficial ownership" shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be under Rule 16a-1(a)(2) in determining whether a person is the beneficial owner of a security for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and the rules and regulations thereunder. Generally, beneficial ownership means having or sharing, directly or indirectly through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, a direct or indirect "pecuniary interest" in the security. For the purposes hereof,
(i) "Pecuniary interest" means the opportunity, directly or indirectly, to profit or share in any profit derived from a transaction in the security.
(ii) "Indirect pecuniary interest" includes, but is not limited to: (a) securities held by members of the person's "immediate family" (this means any child, child-in-law, stepchild, grandchild, parent, parent-in-law, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, or sibling-in-law and includes adoptive relationships) sharing the same household (which ownership interest may be rebutted); (b) a general partner's proportionate interest in portfolio securities held by a general or limited partnership; (c) a person's right to dividends that is separated or separable from the underlying securities (otherwise, a right to dividends alone will not constitute a pecuniary interest in securities); (d) a person's interest in securities held by a trust; (e) a person's right to acquire securities through the exercise or conversion of any derivative security, whether or not presently exercisable; and (f) a performance-related fee, other than an asset based fee, received by any broker, dealer, bank, insurance company, investment company, investment manager, trustee, or person or entity performing a similar function, with certain exceptions (see Rule 16a-1(a)(2)). ---
(e) "Chief Compliance Officer" refers to the person appointed by the Advisor pursuant to the provisions of Section 206(4)-7.
(f) "Client" means each and every investment company, or series thereof, or other institutional account managed by the Adviser, individually and collectively.
(g) "Compliance Officer" may refer to the Adviser's designated Compliance Officer or any person designated to perform the administrative functions of this Code.
(h) "Control" shall have the same meaning as that set forth in Section 2(a)(9) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").
(i) "Covered Security" means all securities, including exchange traded funds and those issued by any reportable fund, except securities that are direct obligations of the Government of the United States, bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper and shares of traditional, unaffiliated registered open-end investment companies.
(j) "Initial Public Offering" means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
(k) "Investment Personnel" shall mean:
(i) any employee of the Adviser (or of any company in a control relationship to the Adviser) who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes or participates in making recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of securities; and
(ii) any natural person who controls the Adviser and who obtains information concerning recommendations made regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Fund. Investment Personnel includes any Portfolio Manager or other investment person, such as an analyst or trader, who provides information and advice to a Portfolio Manager or assists in the execution of the investment decisions.
(l) "Limited Offering" or "Private Placement" means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to Section 4(2) or Section 4(6) thereof, or pursuant to Rule 504, Rule 505, or Rule 506 thereunder.
(m) "Managed Account" shall mean those Clients' accounts, individually and collectively, for which the Portfolio Manager makes buy and sell decisions.
(n) "Portfolio Manager" means the person or portfolio management team entrusted to make or participate in the making of the buy and sell decisions for a Client.
(o) "Purchase or sale of a security" includes, among other things, the writing of an option to purchase or sell a security or the purchase or sale of a security that is exchangeable for or convertible into a security.
(p) "Security" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(36) of the 1940 Act.
(q) "Reportable Fund" includes those 1940 Act registered investment companies for which the Adviser or an affiliate acts as adviser or sub-adviser, or principal underwriter.
4. EXEMPTED TRANSACTIONS
The preclearance prohibitions of Section 5 of this Code, shall not apply to:
(a) Purchases or sales effected in any account over which the Advisory Person has no direct or indirect influence or control in the reasonable estimation of the Adviser's Compliance Officer. This exemption will also apply to personal brokerage accounts for which a third party (e.g. broker, financial advisor) makes all investment decisions on behalf of the Access Person. The discretionary arrangement must be documented to the Adviser's Compliance Department.
(b) Purchases or sales of securities not eligible for purchase or sale by the managed account.
(c) Purchases or sales which are non-volitional on the part of either the Advisory Person or the managed account.
(d) Purchases of shares necessary to establish an automatic dividend reinvestment plan or pursuant to an automatic dividend reinvestment plan, and subsequent sales of such securities.
(e) Purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired.
(f) Purchase or sale of securities issued under an employee stock purchase or incentive program unless otherwise restricted.
5. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES
(a) IPO Rule: No Access Person may directly or indirectly acquire beneficial ownership in any securities in an Initial Public Offering (including IPOs offered through the Internet), except with the prior written approval of the Adviser's Compliance Officer. No NASD registered person may participate in an IPO pursuant to NASD Rule 2790.
(b) Limited Offering/Private Placement Rule: No Access Person may directly or indirectly acquire beneficial ownership in any securities in a Limited Offering or Private Placement except with the prior written approval of the Adviser's Compliance Officer.
(i) The Adviser's Compliance Officer will make a record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to grant approval for transactions in IPOs and Limited Offerings, and will maintain these records for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted.
(c) Preclearance Rule: No Advisory Person may directly or indirectly acquire or dispose of beneficial ownership in a Covered Security unless such transaction has been precleared by the Adviser's Compliance Officer. Preclearance is required
prior to executing any trade through any personal brokerage account, unless specially exempted under Section 4 above. Preclearance is valid through the business day next following the day preclearance is given.
(i) The Adviser's Compliance Officer will monitor investment activity by the Advisory Person involving the precleared transaction.
(ii) Compliance reserves up to one business day to respond to any request for preclearance.
NOTE: THE ADVISER'S COMPLIANCE OFFICER MAY DENY APPROVAL OF ANY TRANSACTION REQUIRING PRECLEARANCE UNDER THIS PRECLEARANCE RULE, EVEN IF THE TRANSACTION IS NOMINALLY PERMITTED UNDER THIS CODE OF ETHICS, IF HE OR SHE REASONABLY BELIEVES THAT DENYING PRECLEARANCE IS NECESSARY FOR THE PROTECTION OF A MANAGED ACCOUNT. ANY SUCH DENIAL MAY BE APPEALED TO THE ADVISER'S CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER. THE DECISION OF THE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER SHALL BE FINAL.
(d) Open Order Rule: No Advisory Person may directly or indirectly acquire or dispose of beneficial ownership in any Covered Security on a day during which a Managed Account has a pending "buy" or "sell" order for that security of the same type (i.e., buy or sell) as the proposed personal trade, until such order is executed or withdrawn.
Exceptions: The following securities transactions are exempt from the Open Order Rule:
1. Purchases or sales of up to 500 shares of an issuer ranked in the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index (S&P 500) at the time of purchase or sale The Adviser's Compliance Officer shall make available an updated list of such issuers quarterly.
2. Purchases or sales approved by the Adviser's Compliance Officer in his/her discretion.
(e) Blackout Rule: No Investment Personnel may directly or indirectly acquire or dispose of beneficial ownership in a Covered Security within seven calendar days before and after a Managed Account trades in that Covered Security.
Transactions permitted under the Blackout Rule must also satisfy the Open Order Rule and the Preclearance Rule, if and to the extent the transaction is not covered by exceptions to those rules.
ANY PROFITS REALIZED BY A PORTFOLIO MANAGER ON A PERSONAL TRADE IN VIOLATION OF SECTIONS 5(D) AND (E) MUST BE DISGORGED AT THE REQUEST OF THE FUND.
(f) Ban on Short-term Trading. Advisory Persons must hold each Covered Security for a period of not less than sixty (60) days from date of acquisition.
(g) Gifts. No Access Person shall accept any gift or other item (for the purpose of this Code "gifts" include but are not limited to cash, merchandise, gifts, prizes, travel expenses, meals and certain types of entertainment) of more than $100 in value from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of the Advisor or the Fund. All gifts and entertainment received or given must be reported to the Advisor's Compliance Department.
(h) Service as Director. No Advisory Person shall serve on the board of directors of a publicly traded company without prior authorization by the President or the Compliance Officer of the Adviser. If board service is authorized, such Advisory Person shall have no role in making investment decisions with respect to the publicly traded company.
(i) Market Timing Prohibited. No Portfolio Manager shall engage in excessive trading or market timing activities with respect to any mutual fund whether or not such mutual fund is a Managed Account, or is managed by such Adviser/Subadvisor or any affiliated adviser or subadviser. For the purposes of the foregoing, "market timing" shall be defined as a purchase and redemption, regardless of size, in and out of the same mutual fund within any sixty (60) day period. The foregoing restrictions shall not apply to Portfolio Managers investing in mutual funds through automatic reinvestment programs, and any other non-volitional investment vehicles. Portfolio Managers shall provide quarterly certifications as to their compliance with this restriction.
6. REPORTING AND COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES
(a) The Advisor shall provide a copy of the Code of Ethics, and any amendments thereto, to all Access Persons.
(b) All Access Persons shall direct their brokers to supply, at the same time that they are sent to the Access Person, a copy of the confirmation for each personal securities trade and a copy of each periodic account statement to the Adviser's Compliance Officer.
(c) Every Access Person shall report to the Adviser's Compliance Officer the information described in Section 6(c) of this Code with respect to transactions in any Covered Security in which such Access Person has, or by reason of such transaction acquires, any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the Covered Security, provided that an Access Person whose duplicate broker trade confirmations or account statements are received by the Adviser's Compliance Officer, pursuant to Section 6(a) with respect to the time period required by Section 6(c), may reference that duplicate information in their quarterly report if
all of the information -- required in Section 6(c) is contained in those confirmations and statements.
(d) Every report required pursuant to Section 6(b) above shall be made not later than 15 days after the end of the calendar quarter in which the transaction to which the report relates was effected, and shall contain the following information:
(i) with respect to any transaction during the quarter in a Covered Security in which the Access Person had or acquired any direct or indirect beneficial ownership:
(A) The date of the transaction, the title and number of shares; the maturity date, principal amount and interest rate of debt securities, of each Covered Security involved; as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number;
(B) The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale, or any other type of acquisition or disposition);
(C) The price of the Covered Security at which the transaction was effected; and
(D) The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through whom the transaction was effected.
(ii) with respect to any account established during the quarter in which Securities were held during the quarter for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person:
(A) The name of the broker, dealer, or bank with whom the Access Person established the account; and
(B) The date the account was established.
(iii) Access Persons are required to report transactions in any affiliated mutual fund for which they have any direct or indirect beneficial ownership; except as specifically exempted by Section 4 above.
(iv) The date the report is submitted by the Access Person.
(e) No later than 10 days after becoming an Access Person, and annually thereafter on or before January 31 of each year, each Access Person (other than Disinterested Trustees) must submit to the Adviser's Compliance Officer a report of his or her personal securities holdings (the "Initial Holdings Report" and the "Annual Holdings Report", respectively), which must include the following information (the Applicable Date for the Initial Holdings Report is the date the person became
an Access Person; the Applicable Date for the Annual Holdings Report must be a date no earlier than December 31 of the prior year):
(i) The title, type and number of shares; and/or the maturity date, principal amount and interest rate of debt securities; and as applicable, the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number of each Covered Security in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership as of the Applicable Date.
(ii) The title, number of shares, and, as applicable the exchange ticker symbol or CUSIP number of any Reportable Fund holding in which the Access Person had any direct or indirect beneficial ownership as of the Applicable Date.
(iii) The name of any broker, dealer or bank with whom the Access Person maintained an account in which securities were held for the direct or indirect benefit of the Access Person as of the Applicable Date.
(iv) The date the report is submitted by the Access Person.
(f) Each Access Person shall submit annually to the Adviser's Compliance Officer a certification by the Access Person that he or she has received, read and understood the Code of Ethics, has complied with the Code's requirements, and has disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the Code's requirements. The certification will be submitted to the Compliance Officer by January 31 of each year.
(g) Any report made under this Section 6 may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the person making such report that he or she has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership in the security to which the report relates.
(h) (i) The Adviser's Compliance Officer shall submit an annual report to the Directors of the Adviser that summarizes the current Code of Ethics procedures, identifies any violations requiring significant remedial action, and recommends appropriate changes to the Code, if any.
(ii) The Adviser's Compliance Officer shall submit to the managed fund's Compliance Officer an annual written report that
(A) Summarizes the current procedures under the Code of Ethics;
(B) Describes any issues arising from the Code of Ethics or procedures since the last report, including, but not limited to, information about
material violations of the Code or procedures and sanctions imposed in response to the material violations; and
(C) Certifies that the Adviser, has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating the Code.
(iii) These reports will be available to the Chief Compliance Officer of the Funds.
(i) Any Access Person shall immediately report any potential violation of this Code of which he or she becomes aware to the Adviser's Compliance Officer.
(j) An Access Person need not make reports under this Section 6 with respect to transactions effected for any account over which such person does not have any direct or indirect influence or control.
(k) Each Adviser's Compliance Officer will review all reports and other information submitted under this Section 6. This review will include such comparisons with trading records of managed accounts as are necessary or appropriate to determine whether there have been any violations of the Code.
(l) Each Adviser's Compliance Officer will maintain a list of all Access Persons who are required to make reports under the Code, and shall inform those Access Persons of their reporting obligations. Each Adviser's Compliance Officer shall promptly notify any Access Person when any report has not been filed on a timely basis.
7. SANCTIONS
Upon discovering a violation of this Code, the Directors of the Adviser may impose such sanctions as it deems appropriate, including inter alia, a letter of censure or suspension or termination of employment, or suspension of personal trading privileges for such period as it may deem appropriate. Provided further, the Adviser's Compliance Officer shall review and present sanctions levied for non-compliance at each regularly scheduled Fund Board meeting. Recommended sanctions are attached as Schedule A.
8. EXCEPTIONS
The Adviser's Compliance Officer, may grant written exceptions to provisions of the Code based on equitable considerations. The exceptions may be granted to individuals or classes of individuals with respect to particular transactions, classes of transactions or all transactions, and may apply to past as well as future transactions, provided, however, that no exception will be granted where the exceptions would result in a violation of Section 204-2. Exceptions granted will be reported to the Directors of the Advisor, as well as the Boards of any managed fund.
9. RECORDKEEPING
All Code of Ethics records will be maintained pursuant to the provisions of Rules 204A-1 and 17j-1.
10. OTHER CODES OF ETHICS
This Code of Ethics does not amend or supercede any other Code(s) of Ethics that may affect the duties and obligations of any person affected hereby.
By my signature below, I certify that I have received, read, and understood the foregoing policies of the Phoenix Investment Counsel, Inc. Code of Ethics, and will comply in all respects with such policies.
Please print or type name: ___________________________________
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q REPORT AFFILIATED MF
INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORT Q REPORT TRANSACTIONS
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
All Access Persons All Access Persons Investment Personnel
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
o 1st violation - written o 1st violation - written o 1st violation - written
warning warning warning
o 2nd violation within the o 2nd violation within the o 2nd violation within the
same year - $50.00 fine same year - $50.00 fine same year - $50.00 fine
payable to the Phoenix payable to the Phoenix payable to the Phoenix
Foundation Foundation Foundation
o 3rd violation within the o 3rd violation within the o 3rd violation within the
same year - suspension same year - suspension same year - suspension
of trading privileges for of trading privileges for of trading privileges for
30 days 30 days 30 days
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
PRE-CLEAR IPOS & LIMITED 60-DAY HOLDING
OFFERINGS* BLACKOUT REQUIREMENT
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Advisory Personnel Investment Personnel Advisory Personnel
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
o 1st violation - Reported o 1st violation - o 1st violation - written
to Chief Legal Officer disgorgement of profits warning
and President of Phoenix on the personal trade o 2nd violation - violation
Officer and President of o 2nd violation - Reported within the same year -
Investment Counsel for to Chief Legal Officer violation within the
determination of and President of Phoenix $50.00 fine payable to
appropriate sanctions. Investment Counsel for Phoenix Foundation
o 2nd violation - possible determination of Foundation
grounds for termination appropriate sanctions. o 3rd violation within the
o 3rd violation - possible same year - suspension
ground for termination of trading privileges for
60 days
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
ANNUAL REPORT PRE-CLEAR
------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
All Access Persons Advisory Persons
------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
o 1st violation - written o 1st violation - written warning
warning o 2nd violation within the same
year - $100.00 fine payable to the
Phoenix Foundation and suspension
of trading privileges for 30 days
o 3rd violation within the same
year - suspension of trading
privileges for 90 days
------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
MARKET TIMING PROHIBITION
AND Q CERTIFICATE OPEN ORDER RULE
------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Investment Personnel Investment Personnel
------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
o 1st violation - possible o 1st violation - Reported to Chief
grounds for termination Legal Officer and President of
at determination of Chief Phoenix Investment Counsel for
Legal Officer and determination of appropriate
President of Phoenix sanctions.
Investment Counsel o 2nd violation - possible grounds
grounds for termination
|
*s/t NASD Prohibition Rule 2790.
EXHIBIT p.3
ACADIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
CODE OF ETHICS
[logo]
ACADIAN
ACADIAN ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.
CODE OF ETHICS
UPDATED AS OF APRIL, 2006
BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVAL
The undersigned, being all of the Directors of Acadian Asset Management, Inc. hereby consent to the adoption of the following resolutions with the same effect as though they had been adopted at a meeting of the Directors of Acadian Asset Management, Inc.:
RESOLVED, that the Board of Directors authorizes the adoption of the Acadian Code of Ethics, revised effective _____________________, a copy of which is here attached.
--------------------------- --------------------------- Gary L. Bergstrom Date --------------------------- --------------------------- Ronald D. Frashure Date --------------------------- --------------------------- Churchill G. Franklin Date --------------------------- --------------------------- John R. Chisholm Date --------------------------- --------------------------- Scott F. Powers Date |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction 8
Part 1. General Principles 9
Part 2. Scope of the Code 9
A. Persons Covered by the Code 9
B. Accounts Covered by the Code 10
C. Securities Covered by the Code 10
Part 3. Standards of Business Conduct 11
A. Compliance with Laws and Regulations 11
B. Conflicts of Interest 12
1. Conflicts Among Client Interests 12
2. Competing with Client Trades 12
3. Other Potential Conflicts Provisions 12
a. Disclosure of Personal Interest 12
b. Referrals/Brokerage 12
c. Vendors and Suppliers 13
d. Soft Dollars 13
e. Frontrunning 13
f. Churning 13
g. Unfair Treatment of Certain Clients vis-a-vis Others 13
h. Dealing with Clients as agent and principal 13
C. Insider Trading 13
1. Penalties 13
2. Material Nonpublic Information 14
D. Personal Securities Transactions 15
1. Initial Public Offerings 15
2. Limited or Private Offerings 15
3. Blackout Periods 16
4. Short-Term Trading 16
3
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E. Gifts and Entertainment 18
1. General Statement 18
2. Gifts 18
a. Receipt 18
b. Offer 18
3. Cash 18
4. Entertainment 18
5. Conferences 19
6. Quarterly Reporting 19
F. Political and Charitable Contributions 19
G. Confidentiality 20
H. Service on a Board of Directors 20
I. Partnerships 21
J. Other Outside Activities 21
K. Marketing and Promotional Activities 21
L. Old Mutual Stock 21
M. Affiliated Broker-Dealers 21
Part 4. Compliance Procedures 22
A. Access Person Investment Accounts and Duplicate Confirms and Statements 22
B. Personal Securities Transactions Procedures and Reporting 22
1. Monthly Reporting 22
2. Quarterly Reporting 23
3. Annual Reporting 23
New Hire Reporting 23
C. Review and Enforcement 24
D. Certification of Compliance 24
1. Initial Certification 24
2. Acknowledgement of Amendments 24
3. Annual Certification 24
4
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Part 5. Miscellaneous 25 A. Excessive Trading 25 B. Access Person Disclosure and Reporting 25 1. Access Person Background Information 25 2. Upon Occurrence 25 C. Responsibility to Know Rules 25 Part 6. Recordkeeping 25 Part 7. Form ADV Disclosure 26 Part 8. Administration and Enforcement of the Code 26 A. Training and Education 26 B. Annual Review 26 C. Board Approval (Fund Advisers) 26 D. Report to Board (Fund Advisers) 27 E. Report to Senior Management (All Advisers) 27 F. Reporting Violations 27 1. Confidentiality 27 2. Advice of Counsel 27 3. Apparent Violations 27 4. Retaliation 27 G. Sanctions 27 H. Further Information about the Code 28 |
ONGOING REPORTING FORMS FOR ALL ACCESS PERSONS
EXHIBIT 1: INVESTMENT ACCOUNT APPROVAL
EXHIBIT 2: PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTION PRECLEARANCE
EXHIBIT 3: MONTHLY TRANSACTION REPORTING
EXHIBIT 4: SHORT-TERM TRADING REPORTING AND APPROVAL
EXHIBIT 5: ENTERTAINMENT APPROVAL
EXHIBIT 6: QUARTERLY GIFT AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTING
EXHIBIT 7: REPORT OF PARTNERSHIP INVOLVMENT
EXHIBIT 8: REPORT OF DIRECTOR/RELATIONSHIP INVOLVEMENT
EXHIBIT 9: CERTIFICATION OF RECEIPT OF CODE AMENDMENTS
NEW HIRE REPORTING FORMS
NEW HIRE - EXHIBIT A: WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT OF THE
ACADIAN'S CODE OF ETHICS
NEW HIRE - EXHIBIT B: REPORTABLE INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
NEW HIRE - EXHIBIT C: REPORTABLE SECURITIES HOLDINGS
NEW HIRE - EXHIBIT D: REPORT OF PARTNERSHIP INVOLVEMENT
NEW HIRE - EXHIBIT E: REPORT OF DIRECTOR/RELATIONSHIP INVOLVEMENT
YEAR END REPORTING FORMS FOR ALL
ACCESS PERSON
YEAR END - EXHIBIT A: WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT OF THE
ACADIAN'S CODE OF ETHICS
YEAR END - EXHIBIT B: REPORTABLE INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
YEAR END - EXHIBIT C: REPORTABLE SECURITIES HOLDINGS
YEAR END - EXHIBIT D: REPORT OF PARTNERSHIP INVOLVEMENT
|
YEAR END - EXHIBIT E: REPORT OF DIRECTOR/RELATIONSHIP INVOLVEMENT
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN THE CODE APPENDIX B SPECIAL PROCEDURES RELATING TO RULE 17j-1 APPENDIX C FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
INTRODUCTION
Acadian Asset Management, Inc. ("Acadian") has adopted this Code of Ethics pursuant to Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act") and rule amendments under Section 204 of the Advisers Act. The Code of Ethics sets forth standards of conduct expected of Acadian's employees and contractors and addresses conflicts that may arise from personal trading. Acadian's Compliance Committee has determined that all of Acadian's on-site consultants and employees (and their immediate family members as defined herein) will be considered "Access Persons" for purposes of the Code.
Certain "offsite" employees or contractors, depending on their job responsibilities and access to customer and trading information, may also be considered "Access Persons" but may be exempt at the discretion of the CCO from certain reporting requirements under the Code.
Acadian's non-resident Director is also considered an Access Person where specified herein. "NON-RESIDENT DIRECTOR" means any director of the Company who does not maintain a business address at the Company and who does not, in the ordinary cause of his or her business, receive current information regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Company or information regarding recommendations concerning the purchase or sale of securities by the Company. The policies and procedures outlined in the Code of Ethics are intended to promote compliance with fiduciary standards by Acadian and its Access Persons. As a fiduciary, Acadian has the responsibility to render professional, continuous and unbiased investment advice, owes its clients a duty of honesty, good faith and fair dealing, must act at all times in the best interests of clients and must avoid or disclose conflicts of interests.
This Code of Ethics is designed to:
o Protect Acadian's clients by deterring misconduct;
o Educate Access Persons regarding Acadian's expectations and the laws
governing their conduct;
o Remind Access Persons that they are in a position of trust and must act
with complete propriety at all times;
o Protect the reputation of Acadian;
o Guard against violation of the securities laws; and
o Establish procedures for Access Persons to follow so that Acadian may
determine whether Access Persons are complying with its ethical
principles.
This Code of Ethics is based upon the principle that the directors, officers and other Access Persons of Acadian owe a fiduciary duty to, among others, the clients of Acadian to conduct their affairs, including their personal securities transactions, in such a manner as to avoid (i) serving their own personal interests ahead of clients; (ii) taking inappropriate advantage of their position with Acadian; and (iii) any actual or potential conflicts of interest or any abuse of their position of trust and responsibility. This fiduciary duty includes the duty of the Chief Compliance Officer of Acadian to report violations of this Code of Ethics to Acadian's Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors of any U.S. registered management investment company for which Acadian acts as adviser or sub-adviser.
PART 1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Our principles and philosophy regarding ethics stress Acadian's overarching fiduciary duty to its clients and the obligation of its Access Persons to uphold that fundamental duty. In recognition of the trust and confidence placed in Acadian by its clients and to give effect to the belief that Acadian's operations should be directed to benefit its clients, Acadian has adopted the following general principles to guide the actions of its Access Persons:
1. The interests of clients are paramount. All Access Persons must conduct themselves and their operations to give maximum effect to this belief by at all times placing the interests of clients before their own.
2. All personal transactions in securities by Access Persons must be accomplished so as to avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest on the part of such Access Persons with the interests of any client.
3. All Access Persons must avoid actions or activities that allow (or appear to allow) a person to profit or benefit from his or her position with respect to a client, or that otherwise bring into question the person's independence or judgment.
4. All information concerning the specific security holdings and financial circumstances of any client is strictly confidential. Access Persons are expected to maintain such confidentiality, secure such information and disclose it only to other Access Persons with a need to know that information.
5. All Access Persons will conduct themselves honestly, with integrity and in a professional manner to preserve and protect Acadian's reputation.
Federal law requires that this Code of Ethics not only be adopted but that it must also be enforced with reasonable diligence. The Chief Compliance Officer will keep records of any violation of the Code of Ethics and of the actions taken as a result of such violations. Failure to comply with the Code of Ethics may result in disciplinary action, including monetary penalties and the potential for the termination of employment with Acadian. In addition, noncompliance with the Code of Ethics has severe ramifications, including enforcement actions by regulatory authorities, criminal fines, civil injunctions and penalties, disgorgement of profits and sanctions on your ability to remain employed in any capacity in the investment advisory business or in a related capacity.
PART 2. SCOPE OF THE CODE OF ETHICS
A. PERSONS COVERED BY THE CODE OF ETHICS
Acadian's operational and investment management practices expose many if not all its employees and contractors to client information, including holdings. As a result, to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, Acadian has determined that it will characterize all on site employees and some contract employees and "off-site" employees (to be determined by the Compliance Committee based primarily on access to client information and trading) as Access Persons under the Code of Ethics.
Reporting sections of the Code that are applicable to Acadian's "non-resident
director" are the following:
(1) The preclearance of purchases of Initial Public Offerings
(2) The preclearance of the purchase of sale of Limited or Private Offerings.
(3) Quarterly reporting of transactions
(4) Annual Certification of the receipt of the Code of Ethics
(5) Year end holdings report.
With respect to the reporting of personal securities accounts and pre-clearing transactions (requirements outlined below), the definition of an Access Persons is expanded to include the accounts and transactions of the Access Person's immediate family members. An immediate family member is defined to include any relative by blood or marriage living in an Access Person's household (spouse, minor children, a domestic partner etc.), or someone who is primarily supported financially by the Access Person.
B. ACCOUNTS COVERED BY THE CODE
The Access Person must report accounts and personal securities transactions for any account in which he or she has a direct or indirect beneficial interest and in which a security covered by the Code is eligible for purchase. This typically includes:
o individual and joint accounts (with the exception of your Acadian 401k
account)
o accounts in the name of a spouse or domestic partner
o accounts in the name of minor children or other living in your household
and/or subject to your financial support
o trust accounts
o estate accounts
o accounts where you have power of attorney or trading authority
o other type of accounts in which you have a present or future interest in
the income, principal or right to obtain title to securities.
Each employee is responsible for any of his or her immediate family members' compliance with the requirements imposed by the Code of Ethics. Education and oversight is a must. Noncompliance with the Code of Ethics by an immediate family member's will have the same ramifications on the related employee as if it were the employee who did not comply.
C. SECURITIES COVERED BY THE CODE OF ETHICS
For purposes of the Code of Ethics and its reporting requirements, the term
"covered security" will include the following:
o any stock or bond;
o investment or futures contracts with the exception of currency;
o options or warrants to purchase securities;
o limited partnerships meeting the definition of a "security" (including
limited liability and other companies that are treated as partnerships
for U.S. federal income tax purposes);
o ETFs, ADRs, EDRS and GDRs;
o closed-end investment companies;
o shares of open-end mutual funds that are advised or sub-advised by
Acadian or one of Acadian's affiliates, including all companies under the
Old Mutual umbrellas*; and
o private investment funds, hedge funds, and investment clubs;
but specifically does not include:
o direct obligations of the U.S. government;
o bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and
high quality short-term debt obligations, including repurchase
agreements;
o shares issued by money market funds (domiciled inside or outside the
United States);
o shares of open-end mutual funds that are not advised or sub-advised by
Acadian or one of Acadian's affiliates, including all companies under the
Old Mutual umbrellas; and
o shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested exclusively in
one or more open-end funds, none of which are funds advised or
sub-advised by Acadian or one of Acadian's affiliates, including all
companies under the Old Mutual umbrellas.
* The Chief Compliance Officer will attempt to maintain a current list of firm affiliates and open ended funds that will require pre-approval. If there is any doubt about any open ended fund you wish to purchase you should pre-clear.
As a best practice, Access Persons are encouraged to report all accounts in which multi-family mutual funds can be purchased. This will address, in advance, the addition of any fund families to the list of those advised or subadvised by Acadian or one of our Old Mutual affiliates. Access Persons should be aware that accounts held directly at a mutual fund sponsor may also require reporting as these circumstances change.
PART 3. STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
The Code of Ethics sets forth standards of business conduct that Acadian requires of its Access Persons and that relate to Acadian's and Access Person's fiduciary obligations. Access Persons should maintain the highest ethical standards in carrying out Acadian's business activities. Acadian's reputation is one of its most important assets. Maintaining the trust and confidence of clients is a vital responsibility. This section sets forth Acadian's business conduct standards.
A. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS
Each Access Person must comply with applicable federal securities laws and all provisions of Acadian's Compliance Manual.
1. As part of this requirement, Access Persons are not permitted, in connection with the purchase or sale, directly or indirectly, of a security held or to be acquired by a client:
a. to defraud that client in any manner;
b. to mislead that client, including by making a statement that omits material facts;
c. to engage in any act, practice or course of conduct which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon that client;
d. to engage in any manipulative practice with respect to that client; or
e. to engage in any manipulative practice with respect to securities, including price manipulation.
B. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
As a fiduciary, Acadian has an affirmative duty of care, loyalty, honesty and good faith to act in the best interests of its clients. Compliance with this duty can be achieved by trying to avoid conflicts of interest and by fully disclosing all material facts concerning any conflict that does arise with respect to any client. In addition, Acadian imposes a higher standard by providing that Access Persons must try to avoid situations that have even the appearance of conflict or impropriety.
1. CONFLICTS AMONG CLIENT INTERESTS. Conflicts of interest may arise where Acadian or its Access Persons have reason to favor the interests of one client over another client (e.g., larger accounts over smaller accounts, accounts compensated by performance fees over accounts not so compensated, accounts in which Access Persons have made material personal investments, or accounts of close friends or relatives of Access Persons, etc.). Access Persons are prohibited from engaging in inappropriate favoritism of one client over another client that would constitute a breach of fiduciary duty.
2. COMPETING WITH CLIENT TRADES. Access Persons are prohibited from using knowledge about pending or currently considered securities transactions for clients to profit personally, directly or indirectly, as a result of such transactions, including by purchasing or selling such securities. Conflicts raised by personal securities transactions also are addressed more specifically in section D below.
3. OTHER POTENTIAL CONFLICTS PROVISIONS:
a. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INTEREST. Access Persons are prohibited from recommending, implementing or considering any securities transaction for a client without having disclosed any material beneficial ownership, business or personal relationship or other material interest in the issuer, or its affiliates, to the Chief Compliance Officer or, with respect to the Chief Compliance Officer's interests, another designated senior officer. If such designated person deems the disclosed interest to present a material conflict, the access person may not participate in any decision-making process regarding the securities of that issuer.
This provision applies in addition to Acadian's initial, monthly and annual personal securities reporting requirements for Access Persons.
b. REFERRALS/BROKERAGE. Access Persons are required to act in the best interests of Acadian's clients regarding execution and other costs paid by clients for brokerage services. As part of this principle, Access Persons
will strictly adhere to Acadian's policies and procedures regarding brokerage allocation, best execution, soft dollars and other related policies.
c. VENDORS AND SUPPLIERS. Each Access Person is required to disclose any personal investments or other interests in vendors or suppliers with respect to which that person negotiates or makes decisions on behalf of Acadian. Access Persons with such interests are prohibited from negotiating or making decisions regarding Acadian's business with those companies.
d. SOFT-DOLLAR COMMISSIONS. All soft dollar trades must comply with the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any client specific restrictions.
e. FRONT-RUNNING. The Company forbids Access Persons, from purchasing or selling stock before a buy or sell recommendation is made to the Client if such transaction will have a negative impact on the client.
f. CHURNING. Access Persons should not effect transactions to generate increased commissions and unnecessary expenses for a Client. The volume and frequency of all sales and purchases of securities must be measured against the need and purpose for the activities, a Client's investment objectives, and the expenses and benefits to the account. All trading for a Client's account must be undertaken solely in the Client's interest.
g. UNFAIR TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CLIENTS VIS-A-VIS OTHERS. An Access Person who handles one or more Clients may be faced with situations in which it is possible to give preference to certain Clients over others. Access Persons must be careful not to give preference to one Client over another even if the preferential treatment would benefit Acadian or the Access Person. Each situation should be examined closely to determine whether the Client has consented to the Access Person's actions favoring another Client and whether the resulting relationship with the Client that was not favored is fair and consistent with the securities laws. If both parts of this test have been satisfied, most likely there has been no breach of fiduciary duty.
C. INSIDER TRADING
Access Persons are prohibited from trading, either personally or on behalf of others, while in possession of material nonpublic information and from communicating material nonpublic information to others in violation of the law. This specifically includes personally trading or informing others of the securities held in a client portfolio or securities transaction contemplated on behalf of any client.
1. PENALTIES. Trading securities while in possession of material nonpublic information or improperly communicating that information to others may expose you to severe penalties. Criminal sanctions may include a fine of up to $1,000,000 and/or ten years imprisonment. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC") can recover the profits gained or losses avoided through violative trading, impose a penalty of up to three times the illicit windfall and can permanently bar you from the securities industry. You may also be sued by those seeking to recover damages for insider trading violations. Regardless of whether a government inquiry occurs, Acadian views seriously any violation of its insider trading policies, and such violations constitute grounds for disciplinary sanctions, including immediate dismissal.
2. MATERIAL NONPUBLIC INFORMATION. The term "material nonpublic information" relates not only to issuers but also to Acadian's securities recommendations and client securities holdings and transactions.
Information is "material" when there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable investor would consider it important in making his or her investment decisions. Generally, this is information the disclosure of which will have a substantial effect on the price of a company's securities. You should direct any questions about whether information is material to the Chief Compliance Officer.
Material information often relates to a company's results and operations, including, for example, dividend changes, earnings results, changes in previously released earnings estimates, significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements, major litigation, liquidation problems and extraordinary management developments. Material information also may relate to the market for a company's securities. Information about a significant order to purchase or sell securities may, in some contexts, be deemed material. Similarly, prepublication information regarding reports in the financial press also may be deemed material.
Information is "public" when it has been disseminated broadly to investors in the marketplace. Tangible evidence of such dissemination is the best indication that the information is public. For example, information is public after it has become available to the general public through a public filing with the SEC or some other governmental agency, The Wall Street Journal, other publications of general circulation, media broadcasts, or over public internet websites.
Access Persons shall not disclose any nonpublic information (whether or not it is material) relating to Acadian or its securities transactions to any person outside Acadian (unless such disclosure has been authorized by Acadian). Material nonpublic information may not be communicated to anyone, including persons within Acadian, with the exception of the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee, unless this is required for the performance of job responsibilities. Such information should be secured. For example, access to files containing material nonpublic information and computer files containing it should be restricted to Acadian employees, and conversations containing such information, if appropriate at all, should be conducted in private to avoid potential interception.
3. Before executing any trade for yourself or others, including clients, an Access Person must determine whether he or she has access to material nonpublic information. If you think that you might have access to material nonpublic information, you should take the following steps:
a. report the information and proposed trade immediately to the Chief Compliance Officer.
b. do not purchase or sell the securities on behalf of yourself or others, including clients.
c. do not communicate the information inside or outside Acadian, other than to the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee.
d. after the Chief Compliance Officer has reviewed the issue, Acadian will determine whether the information is material and nonpublic and, if so, what action Acadian should take, if any.
D. PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
All Access Persons will strictly comply with Acadian's policies and procedures regarding personal securities transactions. Acadian's Pre-Clearance form is attached as Exhibit 2 and is discussed in greater detail in Section 4 (B) below
1. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS - PRE-CLEARANCE. Unless prohibited from purchasing IPOs as a result of licensing with the NASD, Access Personsmust pre-clear for their personal accounts purchases of any securities in an initial public offering (IPO). Acadian will maintain a written record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the personal acquisition of an IPO for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval was granted. Before granting such approval Acadian will evaluate such investment to determine that the investment creates no material conflict between the access person and Acadian. Acadian may consider approving the transaction if it can determine that: (i) the investment did not result from directing Firm brokerage business to the underwriter of the issuer of the security, (ii) the access person is not misappropriating an opportunity that should have been offered to eligible clients, and (iii) the access person's investment decisions for clients will not be unduly influenced by his or her personal holdings, and investment decisions are based solely on the best interests of clients. Any access person authorized to purchase securities in an IPO shall disclose that investment when they play a part in the client's subsequent consideration of an investment in that issuer. In such circumstances, the client's decision to purchase securities of the issuer shall be subject to independent review by investment Access Persons with no personal interest in the issuer.
2. LIMITED OR PRIVATE OFFERINGS - PRE-CLEARANCE. Access Personsmust pre-clear for their personal accounts purchases of any securities in limited or private offerings (commonly referred to as private placements). Acadian will maintain a record of any decision, and the reasons supporting the decision, to approve the personal acquisition of a private placement for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval was granted. Before granting such approval Acadian will evaluate such investment to determine that the investment creates no material conflict between the access person and Acadian. Acadian may consider approving the transaction if it can determine that: (i) the investment did not result from directing Firm brokerage business to the underwriter of the issuer of the security, (ii) the access person is not misappropriating an opportunity that should
have been offered to eligible clients, and (iii) the access person's investment decisions for clients will not be unduly influenced by his or her personal holdings, and investment decisions are based solely on the best interests of clients. Any access person authorized to purchase securities in a private placement shall disclose that investment when they play a part in the client's subsequent consideration of an investment in that issuer. In such circumstances, the client's decision to purchase securities of the issuer shall be subject to independent review by investment Access Persons with no personal interest in the issuer. Qualified Access Persons are permitted to invest in private offering offered and/or managed by Acadian.
3. BLACKOUT PERIODS. A five (5) day blackout period applies to access person trading. A "pre-trade" blackout period of trade date plus two days prior to trade date will apply to all access persons who become aware or reasonably should have been aware because of their job responsibilities that a security is being considered for purchase or sale for a client account. This "pre-trade" blackout period will not apply to access persons who did not know of and had no reason to know of the pending transaction. A "post-trade" blackout period of trade date plus two days after trade date will apply to all access persons regardless of job responsibilities.
Depending on the occurrence, trades made within the proscribed period shall generally be unwound, if possible. Otherwise, profits realized on trades within the proscribed period shall generally be disgorged to a charity designated by Acadian or to a client if appropriate at the discretion of the Chief Compliance Officer.
4. SHORT-TERM TRADING. Unless an exception is granted by the Chief Compliance Officer, no access person may profit in the purchase and sale, or sale and purchase, of the same securities within sixty (60) calendar days. Trades made in violation of this prohibition should be unwound, if possible. Otherwise, any profits realized on such short-term trades shall be subject to disgorgement to a charity designated by Acadian or to a client if appropriate at the discretion of the Chief Compliance Officer.
Access Persons are reminded that they are specifically prohibited from engaging in short-term trading in mutual funds advised by Acadian or sub-advised by Acadian.
The ban on short-term trading profits is specifically designed to deter potential conflicts of interest and frontrunning transactions, which typically involve a quick trading pattern to capitalize on a short-lived market impact of a trade by a Client. Acadian shall consider the policy reasons for the ban on these short-term trades, as stated herein, in determining when an exception to this prohibition is permissible. An Access Person wishing to execute a short term trade must complete both the Pre-Clearance Form (Exhibit 2) and the Short Term Trading Form (Exhibit 4) and submit each to the Chief Compliance Officer for review and approval.
PERSONAL SECURITIES THAT ARE SUBJECT TO PRECLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS BUT ARE EXEMPT FROM THE BLACKOUT RESTRICTIONS NOTED ABOVE:
Acadian's Chief Compliance Officer may allow exceptions to policy on a case-by-case basis when the abusive practices that the policy is designed to prevent, such as frontrunning or conflicts of interest, are not present and the equity of the situation strongly supports an exemption. Acadian has determined that the following categories of transactions will be subject to preclearance requirements but will be exempt from the blackout restrictions noted above as these transactions appear upon reasonable inquiry and investigation to present no reasonable likelihood of harm to the Client provided they are otherwise executed in accordance with this Code, Section 206 of the Advisers Act, and Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
1. purchases or sales of any securities with > $2 billion market capitalization on transaction date;
2. purchases or sales of 500 or fewer shares of an equity security within any three-consecutive month period (all trades within a three-consecutive month period shall be aggregated to determine the availability of this exemption); or any amount if the actual or proposed acquisition or disposition by the Client is in the amount of 1,000 or fewer shares (or less than $25,000 market value) and the Security is listed on a national securities exchange or the NASDAQ system.
PERSONAL SECURITIES TRADES THAT ARE EXEMPT FROM BOTH THE PRECLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS AND THE PROHIBITIONS NOTED ABOVE:
1. purchases or sales affected in any account over which the Access Person has no direct or indirect influence or Control including accounts in which the Access Person has granted to a broker, dealer, trust officer or other third party non-access person full discretion to execute transactions on behalf of the Access Person without consultation or Access person input or direction.
2. purchases or sales which are involuntary on the part of the Access Person;
3. purchases or sales within Acadian's 401k plan;
4. purchases which are part of an automatic dividend reinvestment plan;
5. purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from such issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired;
6. purchases or sales of currencies and interest rate instruments or futures or options on them.
E. GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT.
1. GENERAL STATEMENT
A conflict of interest occurs when the personal interests of Access Persons interfere or could potentially interfere with their responsibilities to Acadian and its clients. Access Persons may not accept inappropriate gifts, favors, entertainment, special accommodations or other things of material value that could influence their decision-making or make them feel beholden to a person or firm. Access Persons are expressly prohibited from considering gifts, gratuities or entertainment when choosing brokers or vendors. Similarly, Access Persons may not offer gifts, favors, entertainment or other things of value that could be viewed as overly generous or aimed at influencing decision-making or making a client feel beholden to Acadian or the Access Person.
2. GIFTS
a. RECEIPT - No Access Person may receive any gift, service or other thing totaling more than de minimis value ($250 per year) from any person or entity that does business with or on behalf of Acadian. (Note - If the access person is also registered with the NASD, the permissible limit is only $100 per year). Access Persons are expressly prohibited from soliciting any gift.
b. OFFER - No Access Person may give or offer any gift of more than de minimis value ($250 per year) to existing clients, prospective clients or any entity that does business with or on behalf of Acadian without pre-approval by the Chief Compliance Officer. (Note - Regulations relating to the investment management of state or municipal pension funds often severely restrict or prohibit the offer of gifts or entertainment of any value to government officials (elected officials and employees of elected offices) who have involvement or influence over the selection of an investment manager. As a best practice, it is advisable to consult with such individuals prior to providing any type gift or entertainment.)
3. CASH - No Access Person may give or accept cash gifts or cash equivalents to or from a client, prospective client or any entity that does business with or on behalf of Acadian.
4. ENTERTAINMENT - No Access Person may provide or accept extravagant or excessive entertainment to or from a client, prospective client, or any person or entity that does or seeks to do business with or on behalf of Acadian. Access Persons may provide or accept an occasional business entertainment event, at a venue where business is typically discussed, such as dinner or a sporting event, of reasonable value, provided that the person or a representative of the entity providing the entertainment is present.
If the anticipated value of the entertainment is expected to exceed $250, preapproval from a supervisor is required prior to acceptance of the entertainment. Please use the form provided as Exhibit 5 for this purpose.
Access Persons are expressly prohibited from soliciting any entertainment. (Note - Regulations relating to the investment management of state or municipal
pension funds often severely restrict or prohibit the offer of gifts or entertainment of any value to government officials (elected officials and employees of elected offices) who have involvement or influence over the selection of an investment manager. As a best practice, it is advisable to consult with such individuals prior to providing any type gift or entertainment.)
Using the form provided as Exhibit 6 attached, on a quarterly basis each Access Persons must disclose to his or her supervisor all gifts and entertainment received.
5. CONFERENCES - Employee attendance at all industry conferences must be pre-approved by the employee's supervisor. If any part of the conference will be paid for by the host or a third party, conference attendance will require approval by the Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer will review, among other factors, the purpose of the conference, the conference agenda, and the proposed costs that will be paid or reimbursed by the third party.
It is against Acadian policy to pay to attend any conference where the payment to attend will directly or indirectly impact whether Acadian is awarded client business.
6. QUARTERLY REPORTING - Acadian will require all Access Persons to report any gifts or entertainment received on a Quarterly basis using the form provided at Exhibit 6.
F. POLITICAL AND CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
a. POLITICAL
Acadian as a firm does not make political contributions.
Access persons are prohibited from making a political contribution to any candidate for office in a state or district for which the employee is not eligible to vote. Individual exceptions may be granted by the CCO if it is determined that a candidate would not be in the position or appear to be in the position to potentially influence the direction of business to Acadian.
An example of a prohibited contribution would be: A Massachusetts resident would be prohibited by the Code from donating money to the Rhode Island governor's race.
Access Persons are prohibited from making any political contributions to any political campaign for the office of Treasurer, office of Comptroller or any similar office or position that could or may appear to have any influence or control over the selection or retention of an investment manager.
Political contributions requested by a client or prospect will be prohibited as these may be deemed as an attempt to retain or win business.
b. CHARITABLE
Although Acadian encourages its Access Persons to be charitable, no donations should be made or should appear to have been made for the purpose of obtaining or retaining client business.
Any client or prospect request to Acadian or an Acadian employee for a charitable donation should be brought to the attention of the Compliance Committee. Any donation made by the firm to a client or prospect charity should be nominal as to not appear to have been made to obtain or retain the business and should be done in accordance with the firm's Charitable giving policy.
G. CONFIDENTIALITY. Access Persons have the highest fiduciary obligation not to reveal confidential company information to any party that does not have a clear and compelling need to know such information and to safeguard all client information. Access Persons must keep confidential at all times any nonpublic information they may obtain in the course of their employment at Acadian. This information includes but is not limited to:
a. any client's identity (unless the client consents), any information regarding a client's financial circumstances or advice furnished to a client by Acadian;
b. information on specific client accounts, including recent or impending securities transactions by clients and activities of the portfolio managers for client accounts;
c. specific information on Acadian's investments for clients (including former clients) and prospective clients and account transactions;
d. information on other Access Persons, including their compensation, benefits, position level and performance rating; and
e. information on Acadian's business activities, including new services, products, technologies and business initiatives, unless disclosure has been authorized by Acadian.
Access Persons should be sensitive to the problem of inadvertent or accidental disclosure, through careless conversation in a public place or the failure to safeguard papers and documents. Documents and papers should be kept in appropriately marked file folders and locked in file cabinets when appropriate.
H. SERVICE ON A BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Prior to accepting a position as an officer, director, trustee, partner, or Controlling person in any other company or business venture (other than a non-profit organization that is not a Client of the Company), or as a member of an investment organizations (e.g., an investment club), Access persons, must disclose the position to the Chief Compliance Officer using the form provided at Exhibit 8. Any such position should also be disclosed to the Chief Compliance Officer at least annually using the same form. Notice of such positions may be given to the compliance officer of any Fund advised or subadvised by the Company.
As a firm policy, Acadian will restrict from its potential investment universe, and will not invest in or recommend client investment in, any publicly traded company for which an Acadian employee serves as a Board member.
I. PARTNERSHIPS
Any partnership or similar arrangement, either participated in or formulated by an Access Person, should be disclosed to the Chief Compliance Officer prior to formation or if already in existence, at the time of employment using the form provided at Exhibit 7. Any such partnership interest should also be disclosed to the Chief Compliance Officer at least annually using the same form.
J. OTHER OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
Access Persons may not engage in outside business interests or employment that could in any way conflict with the proper performance of their duties as Access Persons of Acadian. All Access Persons must obtain the approval of their Department Supervisor and Human Resources prior to accepting any employment outside of Acadian. Supervisors will keep a record of all approvals and involve the Chief Compliance Officer as needed.
K. MARKETING AND PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Acadian has instituted policies and procedures relating to its marketing, performance, advertising and promotional materials to comply with relevant securities laws. All oral and written statements by Access Persons, including those made to clients, their representatives, the public or the media, must be professional, accurate, balanced and not misleading in any way.
L. OLD MUTUAL STOCK OR OTHER AFFILIATE STOCK
No Access Person shall advise a Client to purchase, hold or sell Old Mutual stock or stock in any of our other affiliated companies. No Access Person having discretionary authority over Client funds shall exercise such discretion to invest such funds in Old Mutual Stock or stock of any of our other affiliated companies. As of March 13, 2006, Old Mutual affiliates include:
Mutual & Federal Insurance Company Limited
Nedcor Limited
Skandia AB
Longview Fibre Company
An updated list of affiliated companies is available through the Compliance Department upon request.
M. AFFILIATED BROKER-DEALERS
Through the common ownership of our parent company, Acadian has affiliated broker-dealers. Acadian will not utilize the services of any of these firms to trade for the accounts of any firm client. Acadian will also abide by any restrictions imposed by a client regarding the use of any specific broker-dealer including those that may be an affiliate of the client.
PART 4. COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES
In general, any reports, statements or confirmations described herein and submitted pursuant to this Code of Ethics to the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee shall be treated as confidential. Access Persons are expected to respond truthfully and accurately to all requests for information. Access Person should be aware that copies of such reports, statements or confirmations, or summaries of each, may be provided to certain managers, officers or directors at Acadian, chief compliance officers of any registered investment company client Acadian advises or sub-advises, outside counsel, and/or regulatory authorities upon appropriate request.
A. ACCESS PERSON INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS AND DUPLICATE TRADE CONFIRMATIONS AND STATEMENTS
All Access Persons as defined in the Code are required to notify the Chief Compliance Officer in writing of any investment account in which he or she has direct or indirect beneficial interest and in which a security covered by the Code can be purchased. A form has been provided at Exhibit 1 for this purpose Notification can also be made as part of the Monthly Reporting form attached as Exhibit 3. For all such accounts in which a "covered security" as defined in this Code can be purchased, Acadian will directly request the account custodian to be made an interested third party on the account for the purpose of receiving duplicate trade confirmations and account statements.
B. PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTION PROCEDURES AND REPORTING
Utilizing the Personal Securities Transaction Pre-Clearance Form provided at Exhibit 2, each Access Person, must pre-clear any proposed transaction in "covered securities" with the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee prior to proceeding with the transaction. No transaction in a "covered security" shall be effected without the prior written approval of the Chief Compliance Officer or his designee. Once granted, each pre-clearance is only effective until the close of the next trading day from which it was granted unless granted on a Friday then it will expire at the close of the US markets on Friday.
In the absence of the Chief Compliance Officer, Kacie Gough, Compliance Analyst or Mark Minichiello, Chief Financial Officer, is authorized to pre-clear transactions. Either will pre-clear any proposed transactions by the Chief Compliance Officer.
1. MONTHLY REPORTING
All Access Persons, must make a monthly report to the Chief Compliance Officer of all transactions involving covered securities in which they have direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership and the account in which the security was purchased using the form provided at Exhibit 3. The Compliance Officer will submit his or her own personal transactions report to a designated Alternate Review Officer. Every report should be signed and dated and filed with the Chief Compliance Officer no later than 10 days after the end of the calendar month. If no trading occurred, a report so stating is still required..
2. QUARTERLY REPORTING
All Non-Resident Directors must make a quarterly report to the Compliance Officer of all transactions involving Securities in which they have Beneficial Ownership. If the Non-Resident Director establishes a securities account during the period, the quarterly report must also disclose the name of broker, dealer, or bank with whom the account is established. This information will be kept confidential if requested by the Non-Resident Director subject to any obligations the Company may have to disclose information to regulatory authorities or under law or court order. Every report should be signed and dated and filed with the Chief Compliance Officer no later than 10 days after the end of the calendar quarter. If no trading occurred, a report so stating is still required.
3. ANNUAL REPORTING
By January 31 of each year, each Access Person must also complete an annual report confirming that they have read and understood the Code of Ethics, have complied with its requirements, and have reported all personal securities transactions required to be reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code of Ethics. This confirmation should take the form attached as Year End - Exhibit A and shall be delivered to the Compliance Officer.
a. Each Access Person must provide to the Chief Compliance Officer a complete listing of all securities covered under the Code in which he/she has Beneficial Ownership and securities accounts covered under the Code that the Access Person maintains in a broker, dealer, or bank as of December 31 of the previous year. The report shall be made on the Year End - Exhibits B and C attached and shall be delivered to the Chief Compliance Officer.
b. Each Access Personmust annually disclose any relationship (such as a directorship, trusteeship, etc.). This disclosure should be made on the form attached as Year End - Exhibit E and shall be delivered to the Chief Compliance Officer.
c. Each Access Personmust annually disclose any participation in a partnership. This disclosure should be made on the form attached as Year End - Exhibit D and shall be delivered to the Chief Compliance Officer.
4. NEW HIRE REPORTING
New Access Persons are required to file the following forms within TEN (10) DAYS of their hire date:
a. Initial Certification of Receipt of Code. (New Hire - Exhibit A)
b. Initial Report of Reportable Investment Accounts. (New Hire -
Exhibit B)
c. Initial Report of Securities Holdings. (New Hire - Exhibit C)
d. Access Person Partnership Involvement Relationship Report. (New
Hire - Exhibit -D),
e. Access Person Report of Director/Relationship Involvement. (New
Hire - Exhibit E)
Thereafter, the above referenced reports will be required on an annual basis.
C. REVIEW AND ENFORCEMENT
The Chief Compliance Officer (or other designated compliance associate) will review personal securities transactions and holdings reports periodically submitted by Access Persons under this Code. The review may include, but not limited to, the following:
a. An assessment of whether the access person followed the Code and
any required internal procedures, such as pre-clearance,
including the comparison of the "Pre-Clearance Reports" to the
monthly account statements;
b. Comparison of personal trading to any restricted lists;
c. An assessment of whether the access person and Acadian are
trading in the same securities and, if so, whether the clients
are receiving terms as favorable as the access person;
d. Periodically analyzing the access person's trading for patterns
that may indicate potential compliance issues including front
running, excessive or short term trading or market timing.
e. Any pattern of trading raising the appearance that the access
person may be taking advantage of their position at Acadian.
Before any determination is made that a personal trading or any other material code violation has been committed by any Access Person, the Access Person will have the opportunity to supply additional explanatory material. If the Chief Compliance Officer initially determines that a violation has occurred, he will prepare a written summary of the occurrence, together will all supporting information/documentation including any explanatory material provided by the Access Person, and present the situation to the Compliance Committee for initial determination and recommendation for resolution. If deemed warranted by the Compliance Committee, the report of the incident and the recommendation for resolution will be forwarded to Acadian's Executive Committee and potentially outside counsel for evaluation and recommendation for resolution. No Access Person will participate in a determination of whether he/she has committed a violation or impose any sanction against him/her. All violations and resolutions will be documented.
D. CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE
1. INITIAL CERTIFICATION. Acadian provides all Access Persons with a copy of this Code of Ethics. Acadian requires all Access Persons to certify in writing that they have: (a) received a copy of the Code; (b) read and understand all provisions of the Code; and (c) agreed to comply with the terms of the Code.
2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENTS. Acadian will provide Access Persons with any material amendments to its Code of Ethics and Access Persons will submit a written acknowledgement that they have received, read, and understood the amendments to the Code. Acadian and members of its compliance staff will make every attempt to bring important changes to the attention of Access Persons.
3. ANNUAL CERTIFICATION. All Access Persons are required annually to certify that they have read, understood, and complied with the Code of Ethics.
PART 5. MISCELLANEOUS
A. EXCESSIVE OR INAPPROPRIATE TRADING
The Company understands that it is appropriate for Access Persons to participate in the public securities markets as part of their overall personal investment programs. As in other areas, however, this should be done in a way that creates no potential conflicts with the interests of any Fund or Portfolio. Further, it is important to recognize that otherwise appropriate trading, if excessive (measured in terms of frequency, complexity of trading programs, numbers of trades, or other measure as deemed appropriate by the Chief Compliance Officer), may compromise the best interests of any Funds or Portfolios if such excessive trading is conducted during the workday or using Fund/Portfolio resources. Accordingly, if personal trading rises to such dimension as to create an environment that is not consistent with the Code of Ethics, such personal transactions may not be approved or may be limited by the Chief Compliance Officer.
B. ACCESS PERSON DISCLOSURES AND REPORTING
1. ACCESS PERSON BACKGROUND INFORMATION. The SEC registration form for investment advisors requires the reporting, under oath, of past disciplinary actions taken against all "advisory affiliates." The Investment Advisers Act requires similar disclosure to the Client. The term "advisory affiliate" includes directors and chief officers of an advisor; individuals who have the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a company; and all current Access Persons except those performing only clerical, administrative, support or similar functions. Many advisory affiliates must also provide biographical information that must be reported to the SEC. If any of the information becomes inaccurate or needs to be updated to make it accurate, it shall be your obligation to bring this to the attention of the Compliance Officer.
2. UPON OCCURRENCE. Any prior, current, or potential litigation in which the Access Person is, or has been, a party, or is aware of the possibility of being named as a party, which in any way relates to the Company business, must be disclosed to the Chief Compliance Officer.
C. RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THE RULES
Access Persons are responsible for their actions under the law and are therefore required to be sufficiently familiar with the Advisers Act and other applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations to avoid violating them. Claimed ignorance of any rule or regulation or of any requirement under this Code or any other Acadian policy or procedure is not a defense for employee conduct.
PART 6. RECORDKEEPING
Acadian will maintain the following records in a readily accessible place pertaining to this Code of Ethics:
o A copy of each Code that has been in effect at any time during the past five years;
o A record of any violation of the Code and any action taken as a result of such violation for five years from the end of the fiscal year in which the violation occurred;
o A record of all written acknowledgements of receipt of the Code and amendments for each person who is currently, or within the past five years was, a Access Person (these records must be kept for five years after the individual ceases to be a Access Person of Acadian);
o Holdings and transactions reports made pursuant to the Code;
o A list of the names of persons who are currently, or within the past five years were, Access Persons;
o A record of any decision and supporting reasons for approving the acquisition of securities by Access Persons in IPOs and limited offerings for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which approval was granted.
o A record of persons responsible for reviewing Access Persons' reports currently or during the last five years; and
o A copy of reports provided to the board of directors of any U.S. registered management investment company for which Acadian acts as adviser or sub-adviser regarding the Code.
PART 7. FORM ADV DISCLOSURE
Acadian will include on Schedule F of Form ADV, Part II a description of Acadian's Code of Ethics, and Acadian will provide a copy of its Code of Ethics to any client or prospective client upon request.
PART 8. ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THE CODE
A. TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Acadian has designated the Chief Compliance Officer and head of Human Resources as the persons primarily responsible for training and educating Access Persons regarding the Code. In addition to training newly hire Access Persons, a training session for all Access Persons will occur at least yearly.
B. ANNUAL REVIEW
The Chief Compliance Officer will review the Code on an ongoing basis to ensure effective implementation and to make any revisions necessary to comply with regulatory requirements, industry best practices and/or Acadian's changing business requirements.
C. BOARD APPROVAL (FUND ADVISERS)
Acadian will submit any material amendments to its own Board of Directors, the Board of Directors of Old Mutual and any fund we advise or sub-advise.
D. REPORT TO THE BOARD(S) OF INVESTMENT COMPANY CLIENTS
If requested, Acadian will provide an annual written report to the board of directors of each of its U.S. registered management investment company clients that describes any issues arising under Acadian's Code of Ethics since the last report, including information about material violations of the Code and sanctions imposed in response to such violations. The report will include discussion of whether any waivers that might be considered important by the board were granted during the period. The report must also certify that the adviser has adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Access Persons from violating the code.
E. REPORT TO SENIOR MANAGEMENT
The Chief Compliance Officer will report to Acadian's Compliance and Executive Committees regarding the annual review of this Code and to bring all material violations to their attention.
F. REPORTING VIOLATIONS
All Access Persons must report violations of Acadian's Code of Ethics promptly to the Chief Compliance Officer or other appropriate Access Persons designated in this Code. Failure to report a violation known to you will also be considered a violation of the Code.
1. CONFIDENTIALITY. Any reports pursuant to Acadian's Code of Ethics will be treated confidentially to the extent permitted by law and investigated promptly and appropriately. Access Persons may submit any violation report referenced herein anonymously.
2. ADVICE OF COUNSEL. Access Persons are encouraged to seek advice from the Chief Compliance Officer with respect to any action or transaction which may violate Acadian's Code of Ethics and should also refrain from any action or transaction with might lead to the appearance of a violation of this Code.
3. APPARENT VIOLATIONS. Acadian encourages Access Persons to report "apparent" or "suspected" violations of the Code of Ethics in addition to actual or known violations of the Code.
4. RETALIATION. Retaliation against any Access Person who reports a violation with respect to Acadian's Code of Ethics is prohibited and constitutes a further violation of this Code. "Whistle Blower" protections will be afforded those who report Code violations.
G. SANCTIONS
Any violation of Acadian's Code of Ethics may result in disciplinary action that the Chief Compliance Officer or other Firm employee(s) responsible for its administration deem appropriate, including but not limited to a warning, fines, disgorgement, suspension, demotion, or termination of employment. In addition to sanctions, violations may result in referral to civil or criminal authorities where appropriate.
H. FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE CODE
Access Persons are encouraged to contact the Chief Compliance Officer (Scott Dias) with any questions about permissible conduct under the Code.
PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR CODE ENFORCEMENT
PRIMARY ------- CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER: SCOTT DIAS ALTERNATE REVIEW OFFICER ------------------------ COMPLIANCE ANALYST: KACIE GOUGH CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER: MARK MINICHIELLO MANAGING DIRECTOR, SINGAPORE OFFICE: RICK BARRY TRAINING -------- HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES: JOANN BILES |
ACADIAN'S COMPLIANCE AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE'S ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR CODE OF ETHICS IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT
ONGOING REPORTING FORMS FOR ALL ACCESS PERSONS
EXHIBIT 1: INVESTMENT ACCOUNT APPROVAL
EXHIBIT 2: PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTION PRECLEARANCE
EXHIBIT 3: MONTHLY TRANSACTION REPORTING
EXHIBIT 4: SHORT-TERM TRADING REPORTING AND APPROVAL
EXHIBIT 5: ENTERTAINMENT APPROVAL
EXHIBIT 6: QUARTERLY GIFT AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTING
EXHIBIT 7: REPORT OF PARTNERSHIP INVOLVMENT
EXHIBIT 8: REPORT OF DIRECTOR/RELATIONSHIP INVOLVEMENT
EXHIBIT 9: CERTIFICATION OF RECEIPT OF CODE AMENDMENTS
|
EXHIBIT 1
INVESTMENT ACCOUNT APPROVAL
I request approval of the following investment accounts in which I have a direct or indirect interest and in which a reportable security under the Code of Ethics may be purchased.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHERE THE DIRECT INDIRECT PREVIOUSLY ACCOUNT IS LOCATED ACCOUNT NUMBER ACCOUNT REGISTRATION OWNER OWNER DISCLOSED -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- EXAMPLE: CHARLES SCHWAB XXXX-XXXX EMPLOYEE, IRA X X -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
----------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Access Person Name Compliance Date ----------------------------------- Access Person Signature Date |
EXHIBIT 2
PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS PRE-CLEARANCE FORM
I hereby request pre-clearance of the securities listed below. I am aware that each pre-clearance is only effective until the close of the next trading day from which it was granted unless granted on a Friday then it will expire at the close of the US markets on Friday. The Access Person is required to obtain additional preclearance if the trade is not completed before the authority expires.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE (I.E. COMPLIANCE
NAME OF BROKER, DEALER OR BANK SYMBOL/NAME PRICE PER PRINCIPAL BUY, SELL, AUTHORIZED
AND ACCOUNT NUMBER OF SECURITY # OF SHARES SHARE AMOUNT ETC.) YES NO
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This report (i) excludes transactions with respect to which I had no direct or indirect influence or Control.
Is any proposed transaction described above within sixty (60) days of a prior transaction in the same or equivalent Security? Yes: [ ] No: [ ]
If yes, the Access Person must submit a Securities Transactions Report Relating to Short Term Trading (Exhibit E) for pre-approval.
Is any proposed transaction described above considered an Initial Public Offering (IPO) or Private Placement? Yes: [ ] No: [ ]
--------------------------- ------------------------------- Access Person name Compliance Date ---------------------------------- Access Person Signature Date |
1. During the month referred to above, the following transactions were effected in securities of which I had, or by reason of such transaction acquired, direct or indirect beneficial ownership, and which are required to be reported pursuant to the Code of Ethics adopted by the Company. (if none were transacted, write "none"). You do not need to report transactions in direct obligations of the U.S. government, bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, high quality short-term debt instruments and unaffiliated registered open-end investment companies (mutual funds). PLEASE CHECK THIS BOX IF AN ADDENDUM IS ATTACHED LISTING ADDITIONAL SECURITIES [ ]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW
TYPE OF ACCOUNT
OWNERSHIP THIS
NAME OF BROKER, DEALER OR BANK BUY OR NUMBER OF SHARES OWNED AS (DIRECT OR MONTH*
AND ACCOUNT NUMBER NAME OF SECURITY SELL SHARES OF MONTH END INDIRECT) (Y/N)
--------------------------------- ------------------ ---------- ----------- ------------------ -------------- ----------
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If a new account in which a trade was executed was opened this month, please provide the following information for each account:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACCOUNT REGISTRATION (I.E. NAME OF T DIRECT OWNER (Y/N) INDIRECT OWNER (Y/N) ACCOUNT) EX. EMPLOYEE, IRA ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
This report (i) excludes transactions with respect to which I had no direct or indirect influence or Control.
-------------------------------- ----------------------------- Access Person name Compliance Date ----------------------------------- Access Person Signature Date |
EXHIBIT 4
During the sixty (60) calendar day period referred to above, the following purchases and sales, or sales and purchases, of the same securities were effected or are proposed to be effected in covered securities of which I have, or by reason of such transaction acquired, direct or indirect beneficial ownership. (Please provide information for the original and the proposed trade.)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSACTION 1: [ ] AUTHORIZED
[ ] NOT AUTHORIZED
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NAME OF BROKER, DEALER OR BANK AND NAME OF ORIGINAL BUY/SELL PRICE PER NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNT NUMBER SECURITY TRANSACTION DATE OTHER SHARE SHARES AMOUNT
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NAME OF BROKER, DEALER OR BANK AND NAME OF PROPOSED BUY/SELL PRICE PER NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNT NUMBER SECURITY TRANSACTION DATE OTHER SHARE SHARES AMOUNT
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
TRANSACTION 2: [ ] AUTHORIZED
[ ] NOT AUTHORIZED
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NAME OF BROKER, DEALER OR BANK AND NAME OF ORIGINAL BUY/SELL PRICE PER NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNT NUMBER SECURITY TRANSACTION DATE OTHER SHARE SHARES AMOUNT
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NAME OF BROKER, DEALER OR BANK AND NAME OF PROPOSED BUY/SELL PRICE PER NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNT NUMBER SECURITY TRANSACTION DATE OTHER SHARE SHARES AMOUNT
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
TRANSACTION 3: [ ] AUTHORIZED
[ ] NOT AUTHORIZED
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NAME OF BROKER, DEALER OR BANK AND NAME OF ORIGINAL BUY/SELL PRICE PER NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNT NUMBER SECURITY TRANSACTION DATE OTHER SHARE SHARES AMOUNT
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NAME OF BROKER, DEALER OR BANK AND NAME OF PROPOSED BUY/SELL PRICE PER NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNT NUMBER SECURITY TRANSACTION DATE OTHER SHARE SHARES AMOUNT
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
TRANSACTION 4: [ ] AUTHORIZED
[ ] NOT AUTHORIZED
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NAME OF BROKER, DEALER OR BANK AND NAME OF ORIGINAL BUY/SELL PRICE PER NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNT NUMBER SECURITY TRANSACTION DATE OTHER SHARE SHARES AMOUNT
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NAME OF BROKER, DEALER OR BANK AND NAME OF PROPOSED BUY/SELL PRICE PER NUMBER OF PRINCIPAL
ACCOUNT NUMBER SECURITY TRANSACTION DATE OTHER SHARE SHARES AMOUNT
--------------------------------------- ------------ -------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -----------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
----------------------------- ------------------------------- Access Person name Compliance Date ----------------------------------- Access Person Signature Date |
EXHIBIT 5
EMPLOYEE ENTERTAIMENT FORM WHEN ANTICIPATED BENEFIT WILL
EXCEED $250.
1. Name and department of Acadian employee who will be attending the event:
8. Have you received or accepted any other entertainment or gifts from this individual or company since January 1 of this year? Yes No
EXHIBIT 6
ACCESS PERSON QUARTERLY REPORT OF GIFTS OR ENTERTAINMENT
RECEIVED
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IF EVENT,
WAS
COMPANY ACTUAL OR
DATE OF NAME AND TITLE OF NAME OF COMPANY REP. APPROXIMATE
GIFT/EVENT INDIVIDUAL PROVIDING PROVIDING PRESENT DESCRIPTION OF GIFT/EVENT VALUE
------------- ------------------------- ---------------------------- ------------ --------------------------- ---------------
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EXHIBIT 7
REPORT OF PARTNERSHIP INVOLVEMENT
The Code of Ethics requires any partnership or similar arrangement, either to be participated in or formulated by an employee to be disclosed to the CCO prior to involvement and on at least an annual basis thereafter. Please complete a separate report for each partnership that you are involved with addressing the following questions.
1. Name of Partnership:
-------------------------
2. Type of Organization:
--------------------------
3. Your position:
---------------------------------
4. Start Date of Affiliation:
---------------------
5. Any clients involved? Yes No
6. Do you have an equity interest in the partnership? Yes No
7. Are you compensated for your involvement? Yes No
|
8. Do you have any investment responsibilities on behalf of the partnership?
Yes No
9. Is this partnership eligible for client investment? Yes No
---------------------------- ----------------------------- Access Person name Compliance Date ----------------------------------- Access Person Signature Date |
EXHIBIT 8
REPORT OF DIRECTORSHIP/RELATIONSHIP INVOLVEMENT
The Code of Ethics requires prior disclosure to the CCO, and at least annual disclosure thereafter, of your involvement as an Officer, Board of Director member, Trustee, Executive Member, or Controlling Person in any Business Venture including, but not limited to, investment organizations, including investment clubs. Please complete a separate report for each Directorship/Relationship that you are involved with addressing the following questions.
In addition, if your spouse, domestic partner or any immediate family member subject to your financial support is an OFFICER, BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEMBER, TRUSTEE, OR EXECUTIVE MEMBER OF A PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANY, please complete a copy of this report on their behalf to disclose each position.
2. Type of Company/Organization:
-------------------------------
3. Name of Person involved:
------------------------------------
4. Position:
---------------------------------------------------
5. Start Date of Affiliation:
----------------------------------
6. Is this publicly traded company? Yes No
If yes, symbol:------------------------
7. Are you compensated for your involvement? Yes No
How:
-----------------------------------------------------
|
8. Do you have any investment responsibilities on behalf of the company?
Yes No
---------------------------- ------------------------------- Access Person name Compliance Date ----------------------------------- Access Person Signature Date |
EXHIBIT 9
WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT OF THE AMENDMENTS TO
ACADIAN'S CODE OF ETHICS
o I HAVE RECEIVED A COPY OF AMENDMENTS TO THE ACADIAN CODE OF ETHICS DATED
---------------------------.
o I RECOGNIZE THAT I AND MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS AS DEFINED IN THE CODE OF ETHICS ARE SUBJECT TO THESE AMENDMENTS AND ALL PROVISIONS OF THE CODE.
o I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THESE AMENDMENTS TO THE CODE OF ETHICS.
o I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY AMENDMENT THAT IS UNCLEAR TO ME.
o I AGREE TO COMPLY WITH THESES AMENDMENTS AND ALL OTHER TERMS OF THE CODE.
Access Person name Compliance Date
NEW HIRE REPORTING FORMS
NEW HIRE - EXHIBIT A: WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT OF ACADIAN'S CODE
OF ETHICS
NEW HIRE - EXHIBIT B: REPORTABLE INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
NEW HIRE - EXHIBIT C: REPORTABLE SECURITIES HOLDINGS
NEW HIRE - EXHIBIT D: REPORT OF PARTNERSHIP INVOLVEMENT
NEW HIRE - EXHIBIT E: REPORT OF DIRECTOR/RELATIONSHIP INVOLVEMENT
|
NEW HIRE - EXHIBIT A
WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF THE CODE OF ETHICS
o I ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF AND HAVE ACCESS TO A COPY OF THE ACADIAN CODE OF ETHICS DATED APRIL 2006.
o I RECOGNIZE THAT I AND MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS, AS DEFINED IN THE CODE OF ETHICS, ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE.
o I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF ETHICS.
o I HAVE RECEIVED TRAINING ON THE CODE AND HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY PROVISIONS THAT ARE UNCLEAR TO ME.
NEW HIRE - EXHIBIT B
INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
As of my day of hire the following is a listing of all the investment accounts reportable under the Code in which I have a direct or indirect interest and in which a reportable security under the Code of Ethics may be purchased(1).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHERE THE DIRECT INDIRECT PREVIOUSLY ACCOUNT IS LOCATED ACCOUNT NUMBER ACCOUNT REGISTRATION OWNER OWNER DISCLOSED -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- EXAMPLE: CHARLES SCHWAB XXXX-XXXX EMPLOYEE, IRA X X -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
{ } Please check here if additional form is required to complete the reporting.
------------------------------ --------------------------------- Access Person Name Compliance Date ----------------------------------- Access Person Signature Date |
Examples of reportable accounts include:
o individual and joint accounts
o accounts in the name of a spouse or domestic partner
o accounts in the name of minor children or other living in your
household and/or subject to your financial support
o trust accounts
o estate accounts
o accounts where you have power of attorney or trading authority
o other type of accounts in which you have a present or future interest
Examples of Reportable Securities requiring preclearence and the approval of any account in which they can be transacted:
o any stock or bond;
o investment or futures contracts with the exception of currency;
o options or warrants to purchase securities;
o limited partnerships meeting the definition of a "security" (including
limited liability and other companies that are treated as partnerships
for U.S. federal income tax purposes);
o ETFs, ADRs and GDRs;
o closed-end investment companies;
o shares of open-end mutual funds that are advised or sub-advised by
Acadian or one of Acadian's affiliates, including all companies under
the Old Mutual umbrellas; and
o private investment funds, hedge funds, and investment clubs.
NEW HIRE - EXHIBIT C
INVESTMENT HOLDINGS
As of my day of hire the following is a list all of my direct or indirect holdings in any reportable security under the Code of Ethics. ( In lieu of listing, you can attach a copy of your year end statement for each account in which a reportable security was purchased.)(2)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRICE PER TYPE OF
SHARE AS OWNERSHIP
# OF OF LAST (DIRECT OR
WHERE IS ACCOUNT LOCATED ACCOUNT NUMBER SECURITY NAME/ID SHARES STATEMENT INDIRECT)
------------------------------ ----------------------- ---------------------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Example - Charles Schwab xxxx-xxxx Microsoft 250 26.50 d
------------------------------ ----------------------- ---------------------- ----------- ------------ ------------
Example - Charles Schwab XXXX-XXXX statement attached
------------------------------ ----------------------- ---------------------- ----------- ------------ ------------
------------------------------ ----------------------- ---------------------- ----------- ------------ ------------
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------------------------------ ----------------------- ---------------------- ----------- ------------ ------------
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
{ } Please check here if additional form is required to complete the reporting.
------------------------------ -------------------------------- Access Person Name Compliance Date ----------------------------------- Access Person Signature Date |
Examples of Reportable Securities requiring preclearence and the approval of any account in which they can be transacted:
o any stock or bond;
o investment or futures contracts with the exception of currency;
o options or warrants to purchase securities;
o limited partnerships meeting the definition of a "security" (including
limited liability and other companies that are treated as partnerships
for U.S. federal income tax purposes);
o ETFs, ADRs and GDRs;
o closed-end investment companies;
o shares of open-end mutual funds that are advised or sub-advised by
Acadian or one of Acadian's affiliates, including all companies under
the Old Mutual umbrellas; and
o private investment funds, hedge funds, and investment clubs.
New Hire - Exhibit D
REPORT OF PARTNERSHIP INVOLVEMENT
The Code of Ethics requires any partnership or similar arrangement, either to be participated in or formulated by an employee to be disclosed to the CCO prior to involvement and on at least an annual basis thereafter. Please complete a separate report for each partnership that you are involved with as of your day of hire addressing the following questions. Please respond "None" and sign and return if appropriate.
1. Name of Partnership:
-------------------------
2. Type of Organization:
---------------------------
3. Your position:
----------------------------------
4. Start Date of Affiliation:
----------------------
5. Any clients involved? Yes No
6. Do you have an equity interest in the partnership? Yes No
7. Are you compensated for your involvement? Yes No
|
8. Do you have any investment responsibilities on behalf of the partnership?
Yes No
9. Is this partnership eligible for client investment? Yes No
10. Provide a description of your role and responsibilities
-------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
----------------------------- ----------------------------- Access Person name Compliance Date ----------------------------------- Access Person Signature Date |
New Hire - Exhibit E
REPORT OF DIRECTORSHIP/RELATIONSHIP INVOLVEMENT
The Code of Ethics requires prior disclosure to the CCO, and at least annual disclosure thereafter, of your involvement as an Officer, Board of Director member, Trustee, Executive Member, or Controlling Person in any Business Venture including, but not limited to, investment organizations, including investment clubs. Please complete a separate report for each Directorship/Relationship that you are involved with as of your day of hire addressing the following questions.
In addition, if your spouse, domestic partner or any immediate family member subject to your financial support is an OFFICER, BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEMBER, TRUSTEE, OR EXECUTIVE MEMBER OF A PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANY, please complete a copy of this report on their behalf to disclose each position.
Please respond "None" and sign and return if appropriate.
2. Type of Company/Organization:
--------------------------------
3. Name of Person involved:
-------------------------------------
4. Position:
----------------------------------------------------
5. Start Date of Affiliation:
-----------------------------------
6. Is this publicly traded company? Yes No
If yes, symbol:
----------------------
7. Are you compensated for your involvement? Yes No
How:
-------------------------------------------------------
|
8. Do you have any investment responsibilities on behalf of the company?
Yes No
----------------------------- --------------------------------- Access Person name Compliance Date ----------------------------------- Access Person Signature Date |
YEAR END REPORTING FORMS FOR ALL
ACCESS PERSON
YEAR END - EXHIBIT A: WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT OF THE ACADIAN'S
CODE OF ETHICS
YEAR END - EXHIBIT B: REPORTABLE INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
YEAR END - EXHIBIT C: REPORTABLE SECURITIES HOLDINGS
YEAR END - EXHIBIT D: REPORT OF PARTNERSHIP INVOLVEMENT
YEAR END - EXHIBIT E: REPORT OF DIRECTOR/RELATIONSHIP INVOLVEMENT
|
YEAR END - EXHIBIT A
ANNUAL CERTIFICATION AND WRITTEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF THE
CODE OF ETHICS
o I ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF AND HAVE ACCESS TO A COPY OF THE ACADIAN CODE OF ETHICS DATED -------------------------.
o I RECOGNIZE THAT I AND MY IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS, AS DEFINED IN THE CODE OF ETHICS, ARE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE.
o I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF ETHICS.
o I HAVE RECEIVED TRAINING ON THE CODE AND HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY PROVISIONS THAT ARE UNCLEAR TO ME.
o IT IS MY BELIEF THAT I HAVE COMPLIED WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF ETHICS DURING THE PAST YEAR INCLUDING THE REPORTING OF ALL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS.
As of ____________, please list all the investment accounts in which you have a direct or indirect interest and in which a reportable security under the Code of Ethics may be purchased.(3) Respond "None" then sign and return if appropriate.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WHERE THE DIRECT INDIRECT PREVIOUSLY ACCOUNT IS LOCATED ACCOUNT NUMBER ACCOUNT REGISTRATION OWNER OWNER DISCLOSED -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- EXAMPLE: CHARLES SCHWAB XXXX-XXXX EMPLOYEE, IRA X X -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------- --------------------- ----------------------- --------- ------------ -------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
------------------------------ -----------------------------------
Access Person Name Compliance Date
-----------------------------------
Access Person Signature Date
{ } Please check here if an additional form is required to complete
reporting.
|
Examples of reportable accounts include:
o individual and joint accounts
o accounts in the name of a spouse or domestic partner
o accounts in the name of minor children or other living in your
household and/or subject to your financial support
o trust accounts
o estate accounts
o accounts where you have power of attorney or trading authority
o other type of accounts in which you have a present or future interest
Examples of Reportable Securities requiring preclearence and the approval of any account in which they can be transacted:
o any stock or bond;
o investment or futures contracts with the exception of currency;
o options or warrants to purchase securities;
o limited partnerships meeting the definition of a "security" (including
limited liability and other companies that are treated as partnerships
for U.S. federal income tax purposes);
o ETFs, ADRs, EDRS and GDRs;
o closed-end investment companies;
o shares of open-end mutual funds that are advised or sub-advised by
Acadian or one of Acadian's affiliates, including all companies under
the Old Mutual umbrellas*; and
o private investment funds, hedge funds, and investment clubs.
As of ___________, please list all of your direct or indirect holdings in any reportable security under the Code of Ethics.(4) In lieu of listing, you can attach a copy of your year end statement for each account in which a reportable security was purchased. Respond "None" then sign and return if appropriate.
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PRICE PER TYPE OF
# OF SHARE AS OWNERSHIP
SHARES AS OF 12/31 (DIRECT OR
WHERE IS ACCOUNT LOCATED ACCOUNT NUMBER SECURITY NAME/ID OF 12/31 STATEMENT INDIRECT)
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Example - Charles Schwab xxxx-xxxx Microsoft 250 26.50 d
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12/31 statement
Example - Charles Schwab XXXX-XXXX attached
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------------------------------ --------------------------------
Access Person Name Compliance Date
-----------------------------------
Access Person Signature Date
{ } Please check here if an additional form is attached to complete your
reporting.
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Examples of Reportable Securities requiring preclearence and the approval of any account in which they can be transacted:
o any stock or bond;
o investment or futures contracts with the exception of currency;
o options or warrants to purchase securities;
o limited partnerships meeting the definition of a "security" (including
limited liability and other companies that are treated as partnerships
for U.S. federal income tax purposes);
o ETFs, ADRs and GDRs;
o closed-end investment companies;
o shares of open-end mutual funds that are advised or sub-advised by
Acadian or one of Acadian's affiliates, including all companies under
the Old Mutual umbrellas; and
o private investment funds, hedge funds, and investment clubs.
The Code of Ethics requires any partnership or similar arrangement, either to be participated in or formulated by an employee to be disclosed to the CCO prior to involvement and on at least an annual basis thereafter. As of ___________, please complete a separate report for each partnership that you are involved with addressing the following questions. Please respond "None" and sign and return if appropriate.
1. Name of Partnership:
-----------------------------
2. Type of Organization:
----------------------------------
3. Your position:
-----------------------------------------
4. Start Date of Affiliation:
-----------------------------
5. Any clients involved? Yes No
6. Do you have an equity interest in the partnership? Yes No
7. Are you compensated for your involvement? Yes No
|
8. Do you have any investment responsibilities on behalf of the partnership?
Yes No
9. Is this partnership eligible for client investment? Yes No
----------------------------- -------------------------------- Access Person name Compliance Date ----------------------------------- Access Person Signature Date |
The Code of Ethics requires prior disclosure to the CCO, and at least annual disclosure thereafter, of your involvement as an Officer, Board of Director member, Trustee, Executive Member, or Controlling Person in any Business Venture including, but not limited to, investment organizations, including investment clubs. As of _________, please complete a separate report for each Directorship/Relationship that you are involved with addressing the following questions.
In addition, if your spouse, domestic partner or any immediate family member subject to your financial support is an OFFICER, BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEMBER, TRUSTEE, OR EXECUTIVE MEMBER OF A PUBLICLY TRADED COMPANY, please complete a copy of this report on their behalf to disclose each position.
Please respond "None" and sign and return if appropriate.
2. Type of Company/Organization:
---------------------------------
3. Name of Person involved:
--------------------------------------
4. Position:
-----------------------------------------------------
5. Start Date of Affiliation:
------------------------------------
6. Is this publicly traded company? Yes No
If yes, symbol:
------------------
7. Are you compensated for your involvement? Yes No
How:
---------------------------------------------------------
|
8. Do you have any investment responsibilities on behalf of the company?
Yes No
----------------------------- ------------------------------ Access Person name Compliance Date ----------------------------------- Access Person Signature Date |
APPENDIX A
a. Any officer, director or employee of Acadian (or other person
occupying a similar status or performing a similar function);
b. Any other person who provides advice on behalf of Acadian and is
subject to Acadian's supervision and control; and
c. Any temporary worker, consultant, independent contractor, or any
particular person designated by the Chief Compliance Officer.
d. "IMMEDIATE FAMILY" member is defined to include any relative by
blood or marriage living in an Access Person's household (spouse,
minor children, a domestic partner etc.), or someone who is
primarily supported financial by the Access Person.
e. Any person who's account you have a direct or indirect beneficial
interest in, including investment accounts where you act as
trustee, power or attorney or have some sort of legal authority.
"Access person" is a person who:
a. has access to nonpublic information regarding any client's purchase
or sale of securities, or nonpublic information regarding the
portfolio holdings of any investment company Acadian or its control
affiliates manage;
b. is involved in making securities recommendations to clients, or has
access to such recommendations that are nonpublic; or
c. is a director or officer of Acadian (or other person occupying a
similar status or performing a similar function).
"BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP" is to be determined in the same manner as it is for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder which, generally speaking, encompasses those situations where the Beneficial Owner has the right to enjoy some economic benefit from the investment account or ownership of the Security. "DIRECT" means that the account is in the name of the access person. "INDIRECT" means the account is in the name of another party but you have an interest i.e. spouse's account.
"CLIENTS" mean those persons or entities for whom the Company acts as investment manager or fiduciary, including any trusts or funds which fall under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
"SECURITY" is defined to include:
o options on securities, on indexes and on currencies;
o futures contracts;
o limited partnerships (including limited liability and other
companies that are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal
income tax purposes);
o foreign unit trusts and foreign mutual funds;
o closed-end investment companies;
o shares of open-end mutual funds that are advised or sub-advised
by Acadian or one of Acadian's affiliates, including all
companies under the Old Mutual umbrellas*; and
o private investment funds, hedge funds, and investment clubs;
but specifically does not include:
o direct obligations of the U.S. government;
o bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial
paper, and high quality short-term debt obligations, including
repurchase agreements;
o shares issued by money market funds (domiciled inside or outside
the United States);
o shares of open-end mutual funds that are not advised or
sub-advised by Acadian or one of Acadian's affiliates, including
all companies under the Old Mutual umbrellas; and
o shares issued by unit investment trusts that are invested
exclusively in one or more open-end funds, none of which are
funds advised or sub-advised by Acadian or one of Acadian's
affiliates, including all companies under the Old Mutual
umbrellas.
APPENDIX B
Acadian, an investment adviser and sub-adviser to certain Investment Company Act mutual funds, follows specific procedures mandated by Rule 17j-1 of the Investment Company Act and any other reporting requirements required by the Trust or investment adviser whose fund Acadian advises.
I. SEI INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENTS TRUST
This section applies to the SEI Institutional Investments Trust (the "Trust").
In the instances where the Company serves as an investment advisor to the Trust, the Company will:
1. Submit to the Board of Trustees of the Trust a copy of its code of ethics adopted pursuant to Rule 17j-1, which code shall comply with the recommendations of the Investment Company Institute's Advisory Group on Personal Investing;
2. Promptly report to the Trust in writing any material amendments to such Code;
3. Promptly furnish to the Trust upon request copies of any reports made pursuant to such Code by any person who is an Access Person as to the Trust, and
4. Shall immediately furnish to the Trust, without request, all material information regarding any violation of such Code by any person who is an Access Person as to the Trust.
II. THE ADVISERS INNER CIRCLE FUND - ACADIAN EMERGING MARKETS PORTFOLIO
This section applies to the AIC Acadian Emerging Markets Portfolio (the "Fund").
A. REPORTING OF VIOLATIONS TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FUND
1. The Compliance Officer of the Fund shall promptly report to the Board of Directors of the Fund ("the Board") all material violations of this Code of Ethics and the reporting requirements thereunder.
2. When the Compliance Officer of the Fund finds that a transaction
otherwise reportable to the Board under Paragraph 1.) of this
Section could not reasonably be found to have resulted in a
fraud, deceit or manipulative practice in violation of Rule
17j-1(a), he may, in his discretion, lodge a written memorandum
of such finding and the reasons therefore with the reports made
pursuant to this Code of Ethics, in lieu of reporting the
transaction to the Board.
3. The Board, or a Committee of Directors created by the Board for that purpose, shall consider reports made to the Board hereunder and shall determine whether or not this Code of Ethics has been violated and what sanctions, if any, should be imposed.
B. ANNUAL REPORTING TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FUND The Compliance Officer of the Fund shall prepare an annual report relating to this Code of Ethics to the Board. Such annual report shall:
1. summarize existing procedures concerning personal investing and any changes in the procedures made during the past year;
2. identify material violations requiring significant remedial actions during the past year; and
3. identify any recommended changes in the existing restrictions or procedures based upon the Fund's experience under its Code of Ethics, evolving industry practices or developments in applicable laws or regulations.
C. SANCTIONS Upon discovering a violation of this Code, the Board of Directors may impose such sanctions as they deem appropriate, including, among other things, a letter of censure or suspension or termination of the employment of the violator.
D. MISCELLANEOUS In the event of conflict between the Code of Ethics and the terms of the Code of Ethics of the Fund, the terms of the Fund's Code will govern.
APPENDIX C
ANSWERS TO COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I. GENERAL QUESTIONS
1. I am a new employee. What forms do I fill out?
New employees are required to fill out the following 5 forms (exhibits A-B in
the Code of Ethics):
o Written Acknowledgment of Receipt of Acadian's Code of Ethics
o Reportable Investment Accounts
o Reportable Securities Holdings
o Report of Partnership Involvement
o Report of Director/Relationship Involvement
These forms must be completed and returned to the Compliance Officer no later than 10 days after the employee's start date. (See page 23 for information on New Hire Reporting)
2. Where can I find a list of mutual funds that are advised or sub-advised by Acadian affiliates?
A complete list of mutual funds that are advised or sub-advised by Acadian or one of Acadian's affiliates (including all companies under the Old Mutual umbrellas) is maintained by the Chief Compliance Officer and is updated quarterly. The most recent list is available on Acadian's employee website.
3. Who is covered by the Code?
All on-site employees and their dependents are considered Access Persons and are subject to the principles, procedures and regulations outlined in the Code. Examples of Access Persons include, but are not limited to spouses, domestic partners, children, and dependent family members. If you require further clarification as to who is considered an Access Person, please ask a member of the Compliance Committee before any action is taken that could be considered contrary to the Code (See Page 9 for a complete description of who is covered by the Code)
4. Which accounts require notice and approval and how do I notify you of a new investment account?
You must notify a member of the compliance team when opening any new account in
which you have a direct or indirect beneficial interest and in which a security
covered by the Code can be purchased. This includes but is not limited to:
o Individual and joint accounts
o Accounts in the name of a spouse or domestic partner
o Accounts in the name of minor children or any other person living in
your house and/or dependent on you for financial support
o Trust accounts
o Estate accounts
o Accounts where you have power of attorney or trading authority
Please use the Investment Account Approval form (exhibit 1) in the Code of Ethics to report new accounts or disclose a new account as part of the monthly transaction reporting. A copy of these forms are also available on the employee web site. (See page 10 for information on accounts covered by the Code)
5. DO I HAVE TO REPORT OR PRECLEAR TRANSACTIONS IN MY ACADIAN 401K?
No, employees are not required to report or preclear transactions that they make in their 401K accounts. (See page 10 for a list of accounts covered by the Code)
6. What type of securities require preclearance and how do I get a trade approved?
Securities covered by the scope of the Code of Ethics include:
o All stocks and bonds
o Investment or futures contracts (except for currency forwards)
o Options or warrants
o Limited partnerships
o ETFs, ADRs, EDRs and GDRs
o Closed-end investment companies
o Open-end mutual funds that are advised or sub-advised by Acadian or one
of its affiliates
o Private investment funds, hedge funds and investment clubs
All transactions in these security types must be pre-cleared by a member of the Compliance group. Preclearance is good for a period of 24 hours. To obtain trading approval, please complete the Personal Securities Transaction Preclearance form (exhibit 2 in the Code) which is available on the employee web site. (See pages 15-16 for details on personal securities transactions)
7. How long do I have to wait before I can sell a stock?
Unless the Chief Compliance Officer grants an exception, no Access Person may profit in the purchase or sale, or sale and purchase of the same securities within 60 calendar days. Trades made in violation of this prohibition should be unwound immediately if possible. Otherwise, any profits realized on such a transaction are subject to disgorgement to a charity designated by Acadian or to a client if appropriate. (See page 16 for Acadian's short-term trading policy)
8. How can I obtain pre-clearance for a short-term trade (less than 60 days between trades)?
The short-term trade rule can be circumvented with prior approval from the Chief Compliance Officer. To submit a request for approval of a short-term trade, please complete the Short-Term Trading Reporting and Approval form (exhibit 4 in the Code) which is available on the employee web site.
9. Does Acadian have a blackout period? If so, are there any exceptions?
A five (5) day blackout period applies to Access Person trading. A "pre-trade" blackout period of trade date plus two days prior to trade date will apply to all Access Persons who become aware or reasonably should have been aware because of their job responsibilities that a security is being considered for purchase or sale for a client account. This "pre-trade" blackout period will not apply to Access Persons who did not know of and had no reason to know of the pending transaction. A "post-trade" blackout period of trade date plus two days after trade date will
apply to all Access Persons regardless of job responsibilities. Exeptions to this rule include transactions in stocks where the market cap exceeds $2 billion and/or where the number of shares being purchased or sold is less than 500. Also exempt from the blackout period are transactions effected for the employee's 401K plan or purchases made as part of a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP). (See page 16 for additional details about black-out periods)
10. What is Acadian's gift and entertainment policy?
Persons may not accept inappropriate gifts, favors, entertainment, special
accommodations or other things of material value that could influence their
decision making or make them feel beholden to a person or firm. Access Persons
are expressly prohibited from considering gifts, gratuities or entertainment
when choosing brokers or vendors. Similarly, Access Persons may not offer gifts,
favors, entertainment or other things of value that could be viewed as overly
generous or aimed at influencing decision-making or making a client feel
beholden to Acadian or the Access Person. For purposes of the Code, value of
gifts or services received or offered may not exceed $250 ($100 if the Access
Person is registered with the NASD). If the anticipated value of the
entertainment is expected to exceed $250 per person, preapproval from a
supervisor is required prior to acceptance of the entertainment. Persons may
provide or accept an occasional business entertainment event, at a venue where
business is typically discussed, such as dinner or a sporting event, of
reasonable value, provided that the person or a representative of the entity
providing the entertainment is present.
Approval for such events should be solicited using the Entertainment Approval
form (exhibit 5). All employees are required to report any gifts or
entertainment received on a quarterly basis using the Quarterly Gift and
Entertainment Reporting form (exhibit 6). (See pages 18-19 for details on
Acadian's gift and entertainment policy)
11. What is the policy regarding political contributions? Charitable contributions?
Acadian and all Access Persons are prohibited from making political contributions to any candidate or party for the purpose of obtaining or retaining advisory contracts. This includes contributing to any candidate involved with or having any influence over the investment manager selection process. Acadian as a firm does not make political contributions. In general, access persons are prohibited from making a political contribution to any candidate for office in a state or district for which the employee is not eligible to vote.
Although Acadian encourages its Access Persons to be charitable, no donations should be made or should appear to have been made for the purpose of obtaining or retaining client business. Any client or prospect request to Acadian or an Acadian employee for a charitable donation should be brought to the attention of the Compliance Committee. Any donation made by the firm or an employee to a client or prospect charity should be nominal so as not appear to have been made to obtain or retain the business. (See page 19 for details on Acadian's contributions policy)
II. FIDUCIARY DUTY AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST (SEE PAGES 12-13 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CONFLICTS OF INTEREST)
1. What constitutes a conflict of interest?
Conflicts of interest can arise in any number of situations. No comprehensive list of all possible conflicts of interest can be provided in this memorandum. However, the following example may be helpful. Consider these two cases: an Access Person seeking to induce a bank to give the
Access Person a loan in exchange for maintaining excessive cash balances of a Client with the bank, and an Access Person executing trades for a Client through a broker-dealer that provides research services for the Company but charges commissions higher than other broker-dealers. In the first case, such activity would be a violation of an Access Person's fiduciary duty and might subject the Access Person and the Company to liability under the Advisers Act and other applicable laws. In the latter case, if the Company determines in good faith that the higher commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided, the payment of higher commissions may be permitted under the safe harbor of Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 -- as long as appropriate disclosure is made to the Client and in the Company's Form ADV.
Another common conflict of interest occurs when the Company pays some consideration to a person for recommending the Company as an adviser. In those circumstances, an Access Person must make disclosure to any prospective Client of any consideration paid for recommending the Company's services to that prospective Client and the Company must comply with Rule 206(4)-3 of the Advisers Act. This Rule governs situations involving cash payments for Client solicitations and requires that specific disclosure documents containing information about the solicitor and the adviser be provided to a prospective Client at the time of the solicitation.
2. How should conflicts of interest be handled?
The Company and its Access Persons have a fiduciary duty to act for the benefit of the Clients and to take action on the Clients' behalf before taking action in the interest of any Access Person or the Company.
The manner in which any Access Person discharges this fiduciary duty depends on the circumstances. Sometimes general disclosure of common conflicts of interest may suffice. In other circumstances, explicit consent of the Client to the particular transaction giving rise to a conflict of interest may be required or an Access Person may be prohibited from engaging in the transaction regardless of whether the Client consents.
The Client's consent will not in all cases insulate the Access Person against a claim of breach of the Access Person's fiduciary duty. Full disclosure of all material facts must be given if consent is to be effective. As a result, consents concerning possible future breaches of laws will not usually work. However, waivers of known past violations may be effective. In addition, a Client under the Control and influence of the Access Person or who has come to rely on the Access Person's investment decisions cannot effectively consent to a conflict of interest or breach of fiduciary duty. Consent must be competent, informed and freely given.
The duty to disclose and obtain a Client's consent to a conflict of interest must always be undertaken in a manner consistent with the Access Person's duty to deal fairly with the Client. Therefore, even when taking action with a Client's consent, each Access Person must always seek to assure that the action taken is fair to the Client.
If any Access Person is faced with any conflict of interest, he or she should consult the Chief Compliance Officer or designee prior to taking any action.
III. MATERIAL INSIDE INFORMATION (SEE PAGES 13-14 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INSIDER TRADING)
1. Who is subject to the insider trading rules?
All Company staff and all persons -- friends, relatives, business associates and others -- who receive nonpublic material inside information from Company staff concerning an issuer of securities (whether such issuer is a Client or not) are subject to these rules. It does not matter whether the issuer is public or private.
At the Company, the rules apply to officers, marketing, advisory, administrative, secretarial, or other staff. Furthermore, if any Access Person gives nonpublic material inside information concerning an issuer of securities to a person outside the Company and that person trades in securities of that issuer, the Access Person and that person may have both civil and criminal liability.
2. What is "material inside information"?
Generally speaking, material inside information is significant information about an issuer's business or operations (past, present or prospective) that becomes known to an Access Person and which is not otherwise available to the public. While the exact meaning of the word "material" is not entirely clear, it turns on whether the information about an issuer would influence an investor in any investment decision concerning that issuer's securities and whether the information has not already been disclosed to the public. Under current court decisions, it makes no difference whether the material inside information is good or bad. Needless to say, if the undisclosed information would influence an Access Person's own decision to buy or sell or to trade for a Client or the Company, the information probably is material and an Access Person should not trade or permit the Company to trade for a Client or itself until it has been publicly disclosed.
3. How does "material inside information" differ from "confidential information"?
Here is an example that should clarify the difference between the two. Suppose the Company is engaged by the president of a publicly traded corporation to provide advice concerning her personal pension fund and while working on the matter an Access Person learns the amount of alimony she pays to her former spouse. That discovery should be kept confidential, but it almost certainly has no bearing on the value of her corporation's securities (i.e., it is not material) and, in fact, it probably is not "inside information" about the corporation itself. Accordingly, an Access Person of the Company could buy or sell securities of that issuer so long as the Access Person possesses no material nonpublic information about the corporation. But disclosure of the president's alimony payments would be entirely improper and in breach of fiduciary duty.
In other words, confidential information should never be disclosed, but it is not always material inside information. Knowing it is not necessarily an impediment to participating in the securities markets concerning a particular issuer.
4. Are there certain kinds of information that are particularly likely to be "material inside information"?
Yes. While the following list is by no means complete, information about the following subjects is particularly sensitive:
a. Dividends, stock dividends and stock splits.
b. Sales and earnings and forecasts of sales and earnings.
c. Changes in previously disclosed financial information.
d. Corporate acquisitions, tender offers, major joint ventures or
merger proposals.
e. Significant negotiations, new contracts or changes in
significant business relationships.
f. Changes in Control or a significant change in management.
g. Adoption of stock option plans or other significant
compensation plans.
h. Proposed public or private sales of additional or new
securities.
i. Significant changes in operations.
j. Large sales or purchases of stock by principal stockholders.
k. Purchases or sales of substantial corporate assets, or
decisions or agreements to make any such purchase or sale.
1. Significant increases or declines in backlogs of orders.
m. Significant new products to be introduced.
n. Write-offs.
o. Changes in accounting methods.
p. Unusual corporate developments such as major layoffs, personnel
furloughs or unscheduled vacations for a significant number of
workers.
q. Labor slowdowns, work stoppages, strikes, or the pending
negotiation of a significant labor contract.
r. Significant reductions in the availability of goods from
suppliers or shortages of these goods.
s. Extraordinary borrowings.
t. Major litigation.
u. Governmental investigations concerning the Company or any of
its officers or directors.
v. Financial liquidity problems.
w. Bankruptcy proceedings.
x. Establishment of a program to repurchase outstanding
securities.
5. What is the law regarding the use of material inside information?
Federal law, and the policy of the Company, prohibit any Access Person from using material inside information, whether obtained in the course of working at the Company or otherwise, for his or her private gain, for the Company's gain or for a Client's gain and prohibit any Access Person from furnishing such information to others for their private gain. This is true whether or not the information is considered "confidential". When in doubt, the information should be presumed to be material and not to have been disclosed to the public. No trades should be executed for any Access Person, any Client or for the Company, if the person executing the trade or the Company has material inside information about the issuer.
6. What is "tipping"?
Under the federal securities laws, it is illegal to disclose (or "tip") material inside information to another person who subsequently uses that information for his or her profit.
Questions regarding whether such information may constitute "inside" information should be referred to the Chief Compliance Officer.
7. To whom must material inside information be disclosed before an Access Person can trade?
To the public. Public disclosure of material events is usually made by means of an official press release or filing with the SEC. An Access Person's disclosure to a broker or other person will not be effective, and such Access Person may face civil or criminal liability if such Access Person (or the person to whom the Access Person makes disclosure) trades on the basis of the information. Company staff should be aware that in most cases they are not authorized to disclose material events about an issuer to the public and that right usually belongs to the issuer alone.
8. How does an Access Person know whether particular material inside information has been publicly disclosed?
If an Access Person sees information in a newspaper or public magazine, that information will clearly have been disclosed. Information in a filing with the SEC or a press release will also have been disclosed. However, the courts have said that one should wait for a reasonable period of time after the publication, filing or release date to assure that the information has been widely disseminated and that the public has had sufficient time to evaluate the news. If any Access Person has any questions about whether information has been disclosed, such Access Person should not trade in the affected securities.
9. What must an Access Person do with respect to material inside information obtained after a decision is already made or buy or sell that Security?
Company staff may not purchase or sell any securities about which they have inside information for their own, the Company's or for a Client's account or cause Clients to trade on such information until after such information becomes public. The foregoing prohibition applies whether or not the material inside information is the basis for the trade. Company staff should be alert for information they receive about issuers on their recommendation or approved lists that may be material inside information. Whenever Company staff come into possession of what they believe may be material nonpublic information about an issuer, they should notify the Chief Compliance Officer because the Company as a whole may have an obligation not to trade in the securities of the issuer.
10. Who is available for additional advice or advice about a particular situation?
The Chief Compliance Officer or his designee will oversee matters relating to inside information and prohibitions on insider trading. Currently, all questions should be addressed to Scott Dias or, in his absence, Mark Minichiello.
IV. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION (SEE PAGE 20 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING CONFIDENTIALITY)
1. What is confidential information?
An investment adviser has a fiduciary duty to its Clients not to divulge information obtained in connection with its services as an adviser. Therefore, all information, whether of a personal or business nature, that an Access Person obtains about a Client's affairs during employment with the Company should be treated as confidential both during the Access Persons employment and
after employment terminates. Such information may sometimes include information about non-Clients, and that information should likewise be held in confidence. Even the fact that the Company advises a particular Client should ordinarily be treated as confidential.
2. Who is subject to the Company's policies concerning confidential information?
All personnel -- officers and advisory, marketing, administrative and secretarial staff -- are subject to these policies. (For the sake of convenience, this group is sometimes referred to in this memorandum as "Company staff").
3. What are the duties and responsibilities of Company staff with respect to confidential information?
Since an investment adviser has a fiduciary duty to its Clients not to divulge information obtained from or about a Client in connection with its services as an adviser, Company staff must not repeat or disclose confidential information received from or about Clients outside the Company to anyone, including relatives, friends or strangers. Any misuse of confidential information about a Client is a disservice to the Client that may cause both the Client and the Company substantial injury. Failure to comply with this policy may have very serious consequences for Company staff and for the Company, including termination and criminal action.
4. What are some steps that Company staff can take to assure that confidential information is not disclosed to persons outside the office?
There are a number of steps Company staff should take to help preserve Client and other confidences, including the following:
i. Company staff should be sensitive to the problem of inadvertent or accidental disclosure. Careless conversation, naming names or describing details of a current or proposed trade, investment or transaction in a lounge, hallway, elevator or restore, or in a train, taxi, airplane, restaurant or other public place, can result in the disclosure of confidential information and should be strictly avoided.
ii. Maintenance of confidentiality requires careful safeguarding of papers and documents, both inside and outside the Company. Documents and papers should be kept in appropriately marked file folders and locked in file cabinets when appropriate.
iii. If an Access Person uses a speakerphone, the Access Person should be careful to refrain from using it in any way that might increase the likelihood of accidental disclosure. Use caution, for example, when participating in a speakerphone conversation dealing with confidential information if the office door is open, or if the speakerphone volume is set too high. The same applies if an Access Person knows or suspects that a speakerphone or a second extension phone is being used at the other end of a telephone conversation.
iv. In especially sensitive situations, it may be necessary to establish barriers to the exchange of information within the Company and to take other steps to prevent the leak of confidential information.
EXHIBIT p.4
GOLDEN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
CODE OF ETHICS
GOLDEN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
CODE OF ETHICS
CODE OF ETHICS
FOR
EMPLOYEES OF GOLDEN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
o GCM Principle Statement
o Definitions
o Prohibited Transactions
o Approved Security Transactions
o Compliance Procedures for the Code of Ethics
o Gifts and Entertainment
o Sanctions
o Exceptions
Appendix A:
o Written Policy on Insider Trading
o Employee Acknowledgement of Receipt of Code of Ethics
o Employee Annual Acknowledgement and Certification
o Exception Request for Personal Security Transaction
o Personal Security Transaction Report
o Form of Broker Duplicate Statement Request
CODE OF ETHICS
FOR
EMPLOYEES OF GOLDEN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
GCM PRINCIPLE STATEMENT
Golden Capital Management, LLC ("GCM"), a registered investment adviser, is in business to provide value to the investor, while simultaneously creating a welcoming and rewarding work environment. Any activities, which detract from these values, are against our values as a firm. In order to demonstrate our integrity and commitment to both legal compliance and ethics in our organization, GCM has instituted a compliance program. Our goal is to both comply with all applicable rules and regulations, and avoid potential, actual and appearances of impropriety or conflicts of interest. Our compliance program consists of a strong Code of Ethics (the "Code"), a clear set of written policies and procedures, an ongoing monitoring program, as well as other components, all of which are established to ensure that practices within our company remain true to our values.
This Code contains standards and procedures intended to assure that Employees (as defined below) do not use any information concerning the investments or investment intentions of a client, or their ability to influence such investment intentions, for personal gain or in a manner detrimental to the interests of GCM clients. These standards and procedures govern the personal securities trading and certain other practices of GCM Employees. The various forms attached as Appendix A are incorporated into the Code.
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS
(a) "Employee" means any employee, director, or officer, of GCM.
(b) "being considered for purchase or sale" means, with respect to a security, when a recommendation to purchase or sell that security has been communicated and, with respect to the person making the recommendation, when that person seriously considers making the recommendation.
(c) "Security" means a security, as defined in Section 2(a)(36) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Act") and set forth below:
"Security" means any note, stock, treasury stock, security future, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral-trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting-trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights, any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on any security (including a certificate of deposit) or on any group or index of securities (including any interest therein or based on the value thereof), or any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities
exchange relating to foreign currency, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a "security", or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing.
(d) "Reportable Security" means any Security except:
(i) any direct obligation of the Government of the United States;
(ii) any high quality short-term debt instrument, including, but not limited to, bankers' acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, repurchase agreements covering any of the foregoing, and, other money market instruments as determined by GCM;
(iii) any share of an open-end investment company (mutual fund) OTHER THAN (A) a fund for which GCM or a control affiliate (e.g., Wachovia, JL Kaplan Associates, Evergreen, etc.) acts as an investment adviser or principal underwriter or (B) an exchange-traded fund; and
(iv) any share of a unit investment trust, as long as the trust is exclusively invested in unaffiliated mutual funds.
(e) "Management Team" means all Managing Directors of the firm (Greg Golden, Jeff Moser, Jon Cangalosi, and Lynette Alexander).
(f) "beneficial ownership" includes Securities held by:
(i) Your spouse, minor children or relatives who share the same house with you.
(ii) An estate for your benefit.
(iii) A trust, of which
(1) you are a trustee or you or members of your immediate
family have a vested interest in the income or corpus of
the trust, or
(2) you own a vested beneficial interest, or
(3) you are the grantor and you have the power to revoke the trust without the consent of all the beneficiaries.
(iv) A partnership in which you are a partner.
(v) A corporation (other than with respect to treasury shares of the corporation) of which you are an officer, director or 10% shareholder.
(vi) Any other person if, by reason of contract, understanding, relationship, agreement or other arrangement, you obtain there from benefits substantially equivalent to those of ownership.
(vii) Your spouse or minor children or any other person, if, even though you do not obtain there from the above mentioned benefits of ownership, you can vest or revest title in yourself at once or at some future time.
A beneficial owner of a Security also includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power and/or investment power with respect to such Security.
Voting power includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of such Security, and investment power includes the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of such Security. A person is the beneficial owner of a Security if he or she has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of such Security at any time within sixty days.
SECTION 2. PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS
(a) Insider Trading Policy. Employees are prohibited from trading in a Security, on their behalf or for others, while in possession of material, nonpublic information ("insider trading"). GCM has adopted a policy on "insider trading," which is set forth in the attached Written Policy on Insider Trading ("Insider Trading Policy") and incorporated herein. Insider trading is a violation of the federal securities laws and may result in criminal and civil penalties for the Employee and the firm. Tipping of material, nonpublic information is also prohibited.
GCM considers information to be material if there is a substantial likelihood that a reasonable shareholder would consider it important in deciding how to act. Information is considered to be nonpublic when it has not been disseminated in a manner making it available to investors generally. Information becomes public once it is publicly disseminated; limited disclosure does not make the information public.
Any questions regarding GCM's Insider Trading Policy should be directed to GCM's Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO").
(b) Prohibited Transactions. Subject to the exceptions set forth below, Employees are prohibited from purchasing or selling any Security in any account in which the Employee has any direct or indirect beneficial ownership. Employees are strongly encouraged to purchase investments such as Government obligations, money market instruments, and mutual funds to satisfy their investment needs.
(c) Permissible Transactions. Notwithstanding the prohibition set forth in paragraph (b) above, Employees may purchase and/or sell the following types of Securities(1):
(i) any Security that is not a Reportable Security;
(ii) any share of an open-end fund for which GCM or an affiliate acts as investment adviser or principal underwriter(2);
(iii) any share of an exchange-traded fund(3);
(iv) any Security beneficially owned through an approved advisory account that is either (A) managed on a discretionary basis by a third-party investment adviser and the Employee certifies on an ongoing basis that the Employee does not and will not exercise, and has not exercised, any investment discretion with respect to the selection of particular securities for the account or the timing of any particular trade for the account, or (B) managed on a discretionary basis by GCM where the Employee has provided "seed capital" for an investment strategy offered by GCM(4);
(v) any Security purchased or sold in any account over which the Employee has no direct or indirect influence or control;
(vi) any Security purchased or sold as part of an automatic investment plan (including a dividend reinvestment plan);
(vii) any Security purchased through the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its Securities, to the extent such rights were initially acquired from the issuer; or
(viii) any Security purchased or sold in accordance with an exception granted by the Management Team under Section 3 below.
(d) Undue Influence: Disclosure of Personal Interest. No Employee shall cause or attempt to cause any client to purchase, sell, or hold any Security in a manner calculated to create any personal benefit to the Employee. No Employee shall recommend any Securities transactions for a client without having disclosed his or her interest, if any, in such Securities or the issuer thereof, including, without limitation:
(i) his or her direct or indirect beneficial ownership of any Securities of such issuer;
(ii) any position with such issuer or its affiliates; and
(iii) any present or proposed business relationship between such issuer or its affiliates and the Employee or any party in which the Employee has a significant interest.(5)
(e) Investment Opportunities. All Employees are expressly prohibited from taking personal advantage of any investment opportunity which is to the detriment of GCM's clients.
(f) Confidentiality. Except as required in the normal course of carrying out an Employee's business responsibilities, Employees are prohibited from revealing information relating to the investment intentions or activities of any client or Securities that are being considered for purchase or sale on behalf of any client.
SECTION 3. APPROVED SECURITY TRANSACTIONS
(a) Exceptions to Prohibitions. Exceptions to the prohibitions set forth in
Section 2(b) may be granted by the Management Team under certain
circumstances. As described in this Section, any request for an
exception must be presented to the Management Team for its approval
prior to the proposed transaction.
(b) Exception Procedures.
(i) The Employee shall submit an Exception Request for Personal Security Transaction Form to the CCO or, in his absence, a member of the Management Team.
(ii) At least two members of the Management Team must consider and approve an Exception Request in order for it to be deemed approved under the Code. If approved, the approval will include the allowed time frame for the transaction.
(iii) Examples of types of Exception Requests the Management Team would consider include gifting, inheritance, tax planning, and other broad financial considerations other than deemed specific investment opportunities.
(iv) The Management Team may grant an Exception Request that applies to transactions in Securities beneficially owned through an approved advisory account in limited circumstances. For example, the Management
Team may grant an Employee permission to maintain an advisory account managed by GCM where the Employee has provided "seed capital" for an investment strategy managed by GCM. Under such circumstances, trading in any such accounts will generally be effected after like trading in client accounts has been effected.
SECTION 4. COMPLIANCE PROCEDURES FOR THE CODE OF ETHICS
(a) Monitoring and Enforcement. The CCO is responsible for monitoring Employee compliance with the Code and, together with the Management Team, enforcing the Code's requirements and prohibitions. The CCO will respond to any questions regarding the Code.
(i) The reporting of perceived violations of the Code will help the firm maintain its high ethical standing, and give life to its ability to live up to its principle statement. All Employees are individually responsible for reporting any perceived violations of the Code to the CCO.
(ii) All Employees are prohibited from negatively interfering with the job duties of a fellow Employee, based on their reporting of perceived violations of the Code.
(iii) The CCO will be responsible for periodically communicating reminders/refreshers to Employees concerning their obligations under the Code.
(iv) The CCO shall provide to each Employee a copy of the Code and any amendments thereto. All Employees are required to provide a written acknowledgement of their receipt of the Code and any amendments.
(b) Personal Holdings Disclosure Requirement/Annual Certifications. Every Employee is required, upon his/her initial designation as an Employee to disclose all of his/her Reportable Securities in which he/she has any beneficial ownership (collectively, "Reportable Holdings"). On an annual basis, the CCO will distribute and subsequently obtain a certification as to Reportable Holdings from each Employee.
(c) Duplicate Trade Confirmation/Statement Requirement. Every Employee must direct his/her broker(s) to supply on a timely basis, duplicate copies of confirmations for all transactions in Reportable Holdings and copies of periodic statements for all accounts in which Reportable Holdings are held. Duplicate trade confirmations and statements are not required with respect to transactions effected for any account over which the Employee does not have any direct or indirect influence or control.
(d) Reports. All reports are to be filed with the CCO or his designee. Forms of reports for compliance can be found in Appendix A to the Code.
(e) Reviewing Personal Securities Transactions. The CCO will, on at least a quarterly basis, compare Exception Request for Personal Security Transaction Forms with duplicate brokerage confirmations, quarterly/monthly brokerage account statements, and quarterly transaction reports to ensure that each Employee has requested and obtained exception approval for each personal Securities transaction requiring approval during the quarter. If the CCO does not receive confirmations or statements on a timely basis, or quarterly reports no later than the 15th day following the end of each calendar quarter, the CCO will contact the Employee(s) to request such document(s). If the Employee does not promptly deliver the requested document(s), the CCO will notify one or more Managing Directors.
(f) Exception Requests for Personal Security Transactions. The CCO will coordinate the Management Team review for all Exception Request for Personal Securities Transaction Forms. Before determining whether to grant a request, the CCO will, if appropriate, obtain a report that shows whether one or more advisory clients own the Security for which approval is sought. The Management Team will consider such report, and any other information the Management Team believes is necessary or appropriate, in determining whether to grant a request. A written record of any exception granted will be produced, and GCM will maintain such written record for at least five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the approval is granted.
SECTION 5. GIFTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
(a) Gifts.
(i) Gifts to or from a customer or an Employee, officer of principal at a broker-dealer, financial institution, news or financial media (other than a close relative) may not exceed a total value of $100 in any calendar year without prior approval of any two members of the Management Team.
(ii) An Employee may not give or receive a gift if there is a reasonable possibility that it could be construed as an inducement related to GCM's business.
(iii) A gift should not be excessive and should always be commensurate with the position of the recipient. Certain gifts may fall within the monetary guidelines of GCM yet be considered excessive or otherwise embarrassing or compromising.
(iv) A gift may not be in the form of cash or securities.
(v) A gift must be reimbursable by the GCM. An Employee may not circumvent this policy by paying for a gift from his or her own money.
(vi) Gifts in excess of $50 to any employee, principal or officer of the New York Stock Exchange are prohibited.
(vii) Gifts to or from any employee of any government or governmental agency are prohibited.
(b) Business Entertainment. "Ordinary and usual" business entertainment is typically not considered a gift or gratuity and allowed, so long as it is neither so frequent nor so extensive as to raise any question of propriety. As a general rule, if the donor is not present, the entertainment will be considered a gift and subject to the $100 policy. If the donor is present, the entertainment will typically not be a gift, provided the value of the entertainment is "reasonable." This standard of "reasonableness" will require an assessment of the value to GCM of the Employee's participation in the entertainment. Employees are urged to exercise caution in making these assessments.
(c) Gifts Log. All Employees are required to notify the CCO or his designee of any gifts given or received. The CCO will maintain a "Gifts Log," so that the company can reasonably determine and demonstrate that it and its Employees have complied with this section of the Code.
SECTION 6. SANCTIONS
Sanctions. If the CCO finds that an Employee has violated the Code of Ethics, the CCO will notify the Management Team. The Management Team will determine and impose appropriate disciplinary action, which may include a warning, disgorgement of profits made or losses avoided, and/or dismissal.
SECTION 7. EXCEPTIONS
Exceptions. The Management Team may grant exceptions to the policies contained in the Code in appropriate circumstances.
APPENDIX A
GOLDEN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC
WRITTEN POLICY ON INSIDER TRADING
The Company forbids any officer, director, employee, investment advisory representative, or other associated persons from trading, either personally or on behalf of others, on material non-public information or communicating material non-public information to others in violation of the Insider Trading and Securities Fraud Enforcement Act of 1988. This conduct is frequently referred to as "insider trading." This policy applies to every officer, director, employee, investment advisory representative and other associated persons and extends to activities within and outside their duties at the Company. The policy must be read and signed by all officers, directors, employees, investment advisory representatives and other associated persons. Any questions regarding this policy should be referred to the Company's Chief Compliance Officer ("CCO").
The term "insider trading" is not clearly defined in federal or state securities laws, but generally is used to refer to the use of material non-public information to trade in securities (whether or not one is an "insider") or to communications of material non-public information to others.
While the law concerning insider trading is not static, it is generally understood that the law prohibits:
Trading by an insider on the basis of material non-public information;
Trading by a non-insider on the basis of material non-public information, where the information either was disclosed to the non-insider in violation of an insider's duty to keep it confidential or was misappropriated; or,
Communicating material non-public information to others.
The elements of insider trading and penalties for such unlawful conduct are discussed below.
The term `insider" is broadly defined. It includes officers, directors and employees of a company. In addition, a person can be a "temporary insider" if he/she enters into a special confidential relationship in the conduct of a company's affairs and, as a result, is given access to information solely for the company's purposes. A temporary insider can include, among others, a company's attorneys, accountants, consultants, bank lending officers, and the employees of such organizations. In addition, our Company may become a temporary insider of a client company it advises or for which it performs other services. If a client company expects our Company to keep the disclosed non-public information confidential and the relationship implies such a duty, than our Company will be considered an insider.
Trading on insider information is not a basis for liability unless the information is material. "Material information" generally is defined as information that a reasonable investor would most likely consider important in making their investment decisions, or information that is reasonably certain to have a substantial effect on the price of a company's securities, regardless of whether the information is related directly to the company's business. Information that officers, directors, employees, investment advisory representatives and other associated persons should consider material includes, but is not limited to: dividend changes; earnings estimates; changes in previously released earnings estimates; significant merger or acquisition proposals or agreements; major litigation; liquidation problems; and, extraordinary management developments.
Information is non-public until it has been effectively communicated to the marketplace. For example, information found in a report filed with the SEC, or appearing in Dow Jones, Reuters Economic Services, The Wall Street Journal or other publications of general circulation would be considered public information.
Penalties for trading on or communicating material non-public information are severe, both for individuals involved in such unlawful conduct and their employers. A person can be subject to some or all of the penalties described below even if they do not personally benefit from the activities surrounding the violation. Penalties include: civil injunctions; treble damages; disgorgement of profits; jail sentences; fines for the person who committed the violation of up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided, whether or not the person actually benefited; and, fines for the employer or other controlling person of up to the greater of $1,000,000 or three times the amount of the profit gained or loss avoided. In addition, any violation of this policy statement can be expected to result in serious sanctions by the Company, including dismissal of the persons involved.
The following procedures have been established to aid the officers, directors, employees, investment advisory representatives and other associated persons of the Company in avoiding insider trading. Failure to follow these procedures may result in dismissal, regulatory sanctions and criminal penalties.
Before trading or making investment recommendations for yourself or others, including investment companies or private accounts managed by the Company, or in the securities of a company about which you may have potential insider information, ask yourself the following questions:
Is the information material? Is this information that an investor would consider important in making an investment decision? Is this information that would substantially affect the market price of the securities if generally disclosed?
Is the information non-public? To whom has this information been provided? Has the information been effectively communicated to the market place by being published in publications of general circulation?
If, after consideration of the above, the information is material and non-public, or if further questions arise as to whether the information is material and non-public, the following procedures shall be followed:
Report the matter immediately to the CCO. The CCO shall report all such matters, including any that he may originate to Greg Golden, President of GCM.)
Do not purchase, sell or recommend securities on behalf of yourself or others, including accounts managed by GCM.
Do not communicate the information inside or outside the Company other than to the CCO.
After the CCO has reviewed the issue, you will be instructed as to the proper course of action to take.
RESTRICTING ACCESS TO MATERIAL NON-PUBLIC INFORMATION
Information in your possession that you identify as material and non-public may not be communicated to anyone, including persons within GCM except as provided above. In addition, care should be taken so that such information is secure. For example, files containing material non-public information should be sealed.
RESOLVING ISSUES CONCERNING INSIDER TRADING
If, after consideration of the items set forth above, doubt remains as to whether information is material or non-public, or if there is any unresolved question as to the applicability or interpretation of the foregoing procedures, or as to the propriety of any action, it must be discussed with the CCO before trading or communicating the information to anyone.
EMPLOYEE ACNOWLEDGEMENT OF RECEIPT OF CODE OF ETHICS
I, __________________________________, an employee of Golden Capital Management, LLC, acknowledge receipt and review of the Code of Ethics and the forms incorporated in Appendix A, including, without limitation, the Written Policy on Insider Trading.
GOLDEN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC ("GCM")
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EMPLOYEE ANNUAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND CERTIFICATION
NAME ____________________________________________________________
TITLE ____________________________________________________________
TELEPHONE ____________________________________________________________
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SUPERVISION
I acknowledge that I am an employee of GCM and subject to the GCM Code of Ethics. As such, I understand that I am obligated to report any perceived Code of Ethics violation to the Chief Compliance Officer and to report certain holdings of and transactions in Securities, as defined under the GCM Code.
PERSONAL HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE (MUST CHECK ONE)
[ ] DUPLICATE ACCOUNT STATEMENTS FOR ALL PERSONAL ACCOUNTS ARE AUTOMATICALLY MAILED TO GCM - COMPLIANCE. THE REPORTS IDENTIFY ALL REPORTABLE HOLDINGS, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 4(b) OF THE GCM CODE.
[ ] I HAVE ATTACHED A REPORT THAT IDENTIFIES ALL REPORTABLE HOLDINGS, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 4(b) OF THE GCM CODE.
[ ] I HAVE NO REPORTABLE HOLDINGS, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 4(b) OF THE GCM CODE.
I represent that I have received, reviewed and understood the GCM Code and complied with its requirements. I hereby certify that the information provided herein is complete and accurate.
DATE AND TIME: TRANSACTION TYPE:
REQUESTED BY: SECURITY:
TITLE: SECURITY TYPE:
TELEPHONE: CUSIP:
# OF UNITS:
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IN REQUESTING EXCEPTION APPROVAL FOR THE ABOVE TRANSACTION, I CERTIFY THAT:
(a) I HAVE READ AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE GCM CODE. THIS PROPOSED
TRANSACTION WOULD NOT VIOLATE ANY PROVISION OF THE CODE.
o TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THIS TRADE WILL NOT COMPETE WITH AND IS NOT
IN CONFLICT WITH ANY RECENT OR IMMINENT SECURITY TRADE BY GCM ON BEHALF
OF ANY CLIENT.
o I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS SECURITY IS CURRENTLY BEING CONSIDERED FOR
PURCHASE OR SALE BY A CLIENT OF GCM.
o THIS TRADE IS NOT BEING CONTEMPLATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF RECEIVING
PERSONAL FINANCIAL GAIN IN CONNECTION WITH ANY RECENT OR IMMINENT
SECURITY TRADE OF A CLIENT OF GCM.
SIGNATURE
[ ] TRADE APPROVED [ ] TRADE DISAPPROVED
EXCEPTION APPROVAL VALID THRU: _____ / _____ / _____
---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ SIGNED SIGNED ---------------------------------------- ------------------------------------ DATE AND TIME DATE AND TIME |
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETION OF FORM:
o COMPLETE ALL BOXES AND SIGN FORM. USE A SEPARATE FORM FOR EACH SECURITY.
o THE CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER, OR IN HIS ABSENCE, HIS DESIGNEE WILL COMPLETE
THE TRADE APPROVAL PORTION OF THE FORM.
o THE CCO WILL MAINTAIN THE ORIGINAL FORM, AND A COPY OF THIS FORM SHOULD BE
RETAINED BY THE EMPLOYEE.
o UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, THE TRADE MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY
OF APPROVAL, OF RE-APPROVAL MUST BE OBTAINED.
Golden Capital Management - Personal Security Transaction Report SEC Rule 204(a)(12)
For _______ Quarter ________
================================================================================================================== Date Ticker Security Description B/S/SS Shares Price Amount Broker ================================================================================================================== ----------- ---------- --------------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- --------------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- --------------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- --------------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- --------------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- --------------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- --------------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------- ----------- ---------- --------------------------- ---------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
Policy
Statement: Signed: _________________
This form is required by the SEC for
the employees of Golden Capital
Management as described in the
Investment Advisors Act of 1940. It
must be completed within 30 days of
the end of each calendar quarter.
Date: ___________________
Listed above is record of every
transaction for Reportable Securities
effected in accounts where the
Employee has beneficial ownership FOR
WHICH DUPLICATE CONFIRMS OR
STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN PROVIDED to
the Chief Compliance Officer.
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DATE
Dear:
I am an employee of Golden Capital Management, LLC, which is an investment advisory firm. Golden Capital Management is not a broker / dealer. My firm is requesting information regarding my accounts to comply with SEC regulations and the firm's code of ethics. Please accept this letter as authorization to send all trade confirmations and MONTHLY STATEMENTS to the following address for the accounts listed below.
Golden Capital Management, LLC
Attn: Chief Compliance Officer
10715 David Taylor Drive, Suite 150
Charlotte, NC 28262
The account name and numbers are as follows:
Your cooperation and prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require additional information.
Sincerely,
EXHIBIT p.5
CODE OF ETHICS FOR INVESTMENT AND
MUTUAL FUND PERSONNEL
HARRIS N.A.
THE HARRIS BANK N.A.
HARRIS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
HIM MONEGY, INC.
STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND
CODE OF ETHICS FOR INVESTMENT AND
MUTUAL FUND PERSONNEL
AS RESTATED AND ADOPTED EFFECTIVE JULY 11, 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Introduction.....................................................1
II. General Policy...................................................1
III. Standards of Business Conduct....................................1
IV. Use of Confidential Information and Insider Information..........2
A. Confidential Information....................................2
B. Inside Information..........................................3
V. Definitions......................................................4
A. Advisory Person.............................................4
B. Automatic Investment Plan...................................5
C. Beneficial Ownership........................................6
D. Client......................................................6
E. Compliance Committee........................................6
F. Covered Person..............................................6
G. Covered Security............................................7
H. Designated Reporting Person.................................8
I. Federal Securities Laws.....................................8
J. Funds.......................................................9
K. Immediate Family Member.....................................9
L. Initial Public Offering or IPO..............................9
M. Limited Offering............................................9
N. Personal Securities Transactions............................9
O. Portfolio Person............................................9
P. Supervised Person...........................................9
Q. Working Lists Securities...................................10
VI. Personal Trading and Restrictions on Activities.................10
A. Execution of Personal Securities Transactions..............10
B. Pre-clearance..............................................10
VII. Blackout Periods................................................11
VIII. Interested Transactions.........................................12
IX. Special Pre-Clearance Procedures for Initial Public Offerings...13
X. Special Pre-Clearance Procedures for Limited Offerings..........13
XI. Short-Term Trading Profits......................................14
XII. Gifts...........................................................14
XIII. Service as a Director...........................................15
XIV. Exempt Transactions.............................................15
XV. Reporting Requirements..........................................16
A. Disclosure of Personal Holdings and Accounts...............16
1. Initial Holdings Reports................................16
2. Annual Holdings Reports.................................16
3. Quarterly Transaction Reports...........................17
B. Exceptions from Reporting Requirements.....................18
C. Delivery of Code and Certification of Compliance...........18
D. Reports to the Funds' Board................................19
E. Review by the Funds' Board.................................19
F. Review Procedures..........................................19
XVI. Sanctions.......................................................19
XVII. Recordkeeping...................................................20
XVIII. Confidentiality.................................................20
XIX. Whistleblowing..................................................21
XX. Other Laws, Rule and Statements of Policy.......................21
XXI. Further Information.............................................21
Attachment A.............................................................22
Attachment B.............................................................23
Attachment C-1...........................................................24
Attachment C-2...........................................................25
Attachment D.............................................................26
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STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND CODE OF ETHICS FOR INVESTMENT
AND MUTUAL FUND PERSONNEL ("CODE")
I. INTRODUCTION
This Code establishes standards for business conduct and personal securities activities of Covered Persons(1) of Harris N.A. and The Harris Bank N.A. (collectively, "Bank"), HIM Monegy, Inc. ("Monegy"), and Harris Investment Management, Inc. ("HIM"), (together and, as the context may imply, individually "Harris").
This Code is adopted in order to comply with Rule 17j-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, ("40 Act"), and Rule 204A-1 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 ("Advisers Act").(2)
II. GENERAL POLICY
Harris seeks to comply with all laws, including the Federal Securities Laws. Consistent with this policy, Harris intends to monitor, to the extent practicable and as provided for under this Code, the relevant securities-related activities of Covered Persons.
Each Covered Person is to read, understand, and follow this Code and is to certify as to having done so. See Attachment D containing the certification. Although not a part of this Code, employees are reminded of their obligations under other policies and directives of BMO Financial Group (Bank of Montreal) and Harris Financial Corporation, including Bank of Montreal's First Principles and Code of Business Conduct.
III. STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
A. IN GENERAL. Covered Persons must:
1. Put Client interests ahead of Harris', i.e., conduct themselves on Harris' behalf in the manner required of fiduciaries.
(2) See 17 C.F.R. ss. 270.17j-1 and 17 C.F.R. ss. 275.204A-1, hereinafter Rule 17j-1 and Rule 204A-1, respectively. Harris Insight Funds Trust has adopted a separate code of ethics, pursuant to Rule 17j-1 that is applicable to certain persons who are not covered by this Code.
2. Conduct all Personal Securities Transactions consistent with this Code and in such a manner as to avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest or any abuse of a position of trust and responsibility.
3. Not take inappropriate advantage of their positions.
4. Comply with applicable Federal Securities Laws.
5. Promptly report any violations, by themselves or by others, of the Code to the appropriate Designated Reporting Person
B. FRAUDULENT CONDUCT. All Covered Persons are reminded that it is unlawful, directly or indirectly, in connection with securities-related and advisory-related activities:
1. To employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
2. To make any untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or
3. To engage in any act, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any person.
IV. USE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND INSIDER INFORMATION
A. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
1. Covered Persons may, in the course of their employment, learn confidential information concerning Harris, its advisory clients (including the Funds), and various other matters. "Confidential information" means all information that is not publicly available and includes, but is not limited to:
o the composition of client portfolios;
o client financial information;
o corporate financial activity;
o client lists;
o securities candidates and working lists;
o investment models, methods, processes, and formulae;
and
o certain records, procedures, systems, pending research recommendations, software, and other proprietary information.
2. Information is confidential until publicly disseminated.
3. All Covered Persons must realize that the proper treatment of confidential information is fundamental to preserving the integrity of Harris' advisory function. Accordingly, and in addition to any other restrictions and requirements imposed by Harris, Covered Persons shall not:
(i) disclose, directly or indirectly, any confidential information to anyone other than to the client to whom the information pertains, authorized persons of Harris (including the chief compliance officer of the Funds, who may disclose information which pertains to the Funds to the Funds' trustees), authorized professional advisers (such as our attorneys and accountants) and agents who need such information in order to discharge their professional duties, or
(ii) use, directly or indirectly, any confidential information for their personal benefit, e.g., front-running Client transactions.
4. Given the importance of confidentiality to Harris' business, each Covered Person should refrain from discussing Harris' business, investments, client relationships, and any matters relating to investments for or by clients (including the Funds) unless such Covered Person is absolutely certain that such discussions would not breach any confidentiality obligations.
5. Any breach of the above confidentiality requirements may result in disciplinary action against the guilty employees and may constitute a violation of law.
6. The requirement for confidential treatment of information shall not apply to the extent such information is legally required to be disclosed, e.g., when duly requested by regulatory authorities or by a court or applicable legal forum.
B. INSIDE INFORMATION
1. IN GENERAL. Insider trading is prohibited by the Federal Securities Laws, including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Insider Trading and Securities Fraud
Enforcement Act of 1988, the latter being specifically applicable to investment advisers and broker-dealers and otherwise applicable to any entity with access to inside information. Such organizations have an affirmative statutory obligation to establish and enforce written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to prevent the misuse of inside information. Substantial criminal and civil penalties can be imposed for failing to meet these standards.(3)
2. DEFINITION OF "INSIDER TRADING." Although no precise definition of insider trading exists, the term is generally understood as referring to the purchase or sale of securities while in possession of material, non-public information (i.e., information not available to the general public but important to an investor in making a decision to buy or sell a security). Insider trading also includes making such information available ("tipping") to others who may trade based on that information.
The laws governing insider trading by an employee cover trades made not only for the employee's own account but for the accounts of his family members (including spouse, minor children, and adults living in the same household), accounts under the control of the employee or any family member, and accounts (including trusts) in which the employee or any family member has Beneficial Ownership (as defined below).
These descriptions do not catalogue the many different types of information that can be construed as material and nonpublic. Rather than attempting to make such determinations on their own, employees who receive significant nonpublic information about an issuer should immediately seek the advice of a Reporting Person (as defined below).
V. DEFINITIONS
A. ADVISORY PERSON
1. "Advisory Person" means
a. any Supervised Person or any director (or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), officer, or employee of the Bank,(4) Monegy, or HIM (or of any company in a
control relationship to the Bank, Monegy, or HIM), who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes, participates in, or obtains information regarding purchases or sales of Covered Securities for Clients, or the portfolio holdings of any Client, or whose functions relate to the making of any recommendations with respect to such purchases and sales; and
b. any natural person in a control relationship to the Bank, Monegy, or HIM who obtains information concerning recommendations made to the Clients or to any accounts of Clients of the Private Bank division of the Bank, Monegy, or HIM with regard to the purchase or sale of Covered Securities.
2. "Advisory Person" does not include
a. a person who normally assists in the preparation of public reports or who receives public reports but who receives no information about current recommendations or trading concerning Covered Securities for Client accounts; and
b. officers of the Funds covered under a Fund's code of ethics adopted pursuant to Rule 17j-1.
3. A list of all Advisory Persons as of the date of adoption of this Code is attached as Attachment B, which attachment will be updated at least annually by the Bank, Monegy and HIM.
B. AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN
"Automatic Investment Plan" means a program, including a dividend reinvestment plan, in which regular periodic investments or withdrawals are made automatically in or from investment accounts in accordance with a predetermined schedule and allocation.
C. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP
1. "Beneficial Ownership" shall be interpreted in the same manner as it would be in determining whether a person is subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 16a-1(a)(2) thereunder, except that the determination of Beneficial Ownership shall apply to all securities that a Covered Person owns or acquires.
2. PRESUMPTION OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP. A Covered Person should consider himself or herself as having Beneficial Ownership of securities held by an Immediate Family Member or held by other persons by reason of any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship that provides the Covered Person with direct or indirect pecuniary interest in the equity securities.
3. The presumption that a Covered Person enjoys Beneficial Ownership of securities held by an Immediate Family Member may be rebutted by evidence that the Compliance Committee in its discretion finds sufficient.
D. CLIENT
"Client" means anyone for whom investment management or advice is provided by Harris, including the Funds and, unless the context requires otherwise, prospective clients.
E. COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
"Compliance Committee" means a committee comprised of all Designated Reporting Persons, an executive vice president or a senior vice president of the Bank, a designee of the Bank's general counsel, and an officer of HIM in addition to its chief compliance officer. Other than those serving ex officio, the members of the Compliance Committee shall be appointed annually by the Harris Financial Corp. Fiduciary and Investment-Related Activities Risk Management Committee.
F. COVERED PERSON
1. "Covered Person" means:
a. with respect to Monegy or HIM, any Advisory Person, director, officer, or partner;
b. with respect to the Bank, any Advisory Person.
2. "Covered Person" does not include any person subject to a code of ethics adopted:
a. under Rule 17j-1, Rule 204A-1, or Section 15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
b. by (i) the boards of the Funds,(ii) any adviser to the Harris Insight Funds other than HIM or Monegy, or (iii) any principal underwriter to the Funds.
3. A list of all Covered Persons as of the date of adoption of this Code is attached as Attachments C-1 and C-2 which will be updated at least annually by the Bank, Monegy, and HIM.
G. COVERED SECURITY
1. "Covered Security" has the same meaning of "security"
under Section 2(a)(36) of the 40 Act, as amended and interpreted from
time to time. The "PURCHASE OR SALE OF A COVERED SECURITY" includes,
among other things, the buying or writing of an option to purchase or
sell a Covered Security.
2. Unless otherwise noted, "Covered Security" includes shares of the Funds.
3. "Covered Securities" does not include the following instruments, transactions in which are not subject to the pre-clearance, blackout, or reporting provisions of this Code:
a. direct obligations of the Government of the United States;
b. bankers' acceptances;
c. bank certificates of deposit;
d. high-quality, short-term debt instruments, including repurchase agreements;
e. commercial paper;
f. shares of the Harris Insight Money Market Fund, Harris Insight Government Money Market Fund, and Harris Insight Tax Exempt Money Market Fund;
g. shares of registered open-end investment companies other than investment companies for which HIM or Monegy or any of its affiliated persons serve as investment adviser (as defined in Section 2(a)(20) of the 1940 Act) or principal underwriter; and
h. shares of unit investment trusts that invest
exclusively in one or more open-end investment
companies other than investment companies for
which HIM or Monegy or any of its affiliated
persons serve as investment adviser (as defined in
Section 2(a)(20) of the 1940 Act) or principal
underwriter.
4. As circumstances warrant for the equitable administration of this Code, the Compliance Committee may construe the definition of Covered Security, on a case-by-case basis as matters are formally presented to it, to take into account the exemptions and exclusions from the definition of "security" adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Federal Securities Laws.
H. DESIGNATED REPORTING PERSON
1. "Designated Reporting Person" means each of the chief compliance officers of the Harris Insight Funds, Bank, Monegy, and HIM, and his or her designee.
2. Except as provided herein, the "appropriate Designated Reporting Person" means a Designated Reporting Person (and his or her designee) responsible for the Harris entity for which the Covered or Advisory Person primarily performs duties.
I. FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS
"Federal Securities Laws" means the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, Title V of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, any rules adopted by the Commission under any of these statutes, the Bank Secrecy Act as it applies to registered investment companies and investment advisers, and any applicable rules adopted thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Department of the Treasury.
J. FUNDS
"Funds" means any investment companies, or series of companies, registered under the 1940 Act and advised or sub-advised by HIM or Monegy.
K. IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER
"Immediate Family Member" means, with respect to a person, any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent,
stepparent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, brother-in-law, sister-in-law (including these relationships by virtue of adoption) sharing that person's household.
L. INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING OR IPO
"Initial Public Offering" or "IPO" means an offering of securities registered under the Securities Act of 1933, the issuer of which, immediately before the registration, was not subject to the reporting requirements of sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
M. LIMITED OFFERING
"Limited Offering" means an offering that is exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 pursuant to section 4(2) or section 4(6) of that Act or pursuant to rule 504, rule 505, or rule 506 under the Securities Act of 1933.
N. PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
"Personal Securities Transactions" mean transactions in Covered Securities, unless defined more restrictively herein, in which a person has (at the time of sale or redemption) or acquires (upon purchase) Beneficial Ownership.
O. PORTFOLIO PERSON
"Portfolio Person" means any Covered Person who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, has access to specific information (e.g., as to timing and issuer) regarding the purchase or sale of securities by the Funds.
P. SUPERVISED PERSON
"Supervised Person" means any partner, officer, director (or other person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions), or employee of Monegy or HIM, and any other person who provides investment advice on behalf of Monegy or HIM and who is subject to the supervision and control of either of these investment advisers.
Q. WORKING LISTS SECURITIES
"Working Lists Securities" means securities, on Harris' then-current research databases, which, as a
result of analysis, are designated for purchase, sale, holding, or watching.
VI. PERSONAL TRADING AND RESTRICTIONS ON ACTIVITIES
A. ACCOUNTS FOR THE EXECUTION OF PERSONAL SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS
1. All Personal Securities Transactions of Covered Persons must be conducted through accounts that have been identified in writing to the appropriate Designated Reporting Person. Each such account must be set up to deliver duplicate copies of all confirmations and account statements to that Designated Reporting Person. No exceptions will be made to this provision.
2. Personal Securities Transactions in shares of the Funds may be placed only through:
a. Harrisdirect LLC, or
b. an account with a broker other than Harrisdirect LLC that has been identified to and approved by a Designated Reporting Person, or
c. an account with the transfer agent for the Funds.(5)
3. Fund shares held through an employer-sponsored employee benefit plan required to be maintained by a third-party administrator are exempt from the direction requirement set forth in subsection A.2. above.
B. PRE-CLEARANCE
1. Personal Securities Transactions (except for those in shares of the Funds) by a Covered Person and Personal Securities Transactions (including those in shares of the Funds) by a Portfolio Person:
a. must be approved in advance by the appropriate Designated Reporting Person; and
b. completed no later than the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the business day after the approval is received.
2. The appropriate Designated Reporting Person may rescind such approval if such rescission is communicated to the Covered or Portfolio Person so that he or she has sufficient time to cancel execution.
3. Any pre-clearance approval will be provided in writing to the Covered or Portfolio Person to memorialize any oral authorization that may have been granted.
4. Pre-clearance approval will expire at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on the business day after the date on which approval is received. A Covered or Portfolio Person, still desiring execution of such transaction, is required to obtain another pre-clearance for the transaction if the trade is not completed before the expiration of the pre-clearance approval period.
5. If a Personal Securities Transaction has received pre-clearance approval but has not been executed prior to the expiration of the pre-clearance approval period, the Covered or Portfolio Person who requested pre-clearance shall report the non-execution to the Designated Reporting Person who granted the approval no later than the close of business on the trading day after the approval expired.
6. Personal Securities Transactions by a Designated Reporting Person who is also a Covered or Portfolio Person may not be executed without pre-clearance approval from another Designated Reporting Person, provided the latter has not reporting relationship to the former.
VII. BLACKOUT PERIODS
A. FOR ACTIVE CLIENT SECURITIES. No Covered Person shall knowingly effect a Personal Securities Transaction (except for those in shares of the Funds):
1. on a day during which a Client account has a pending "buy" or "sell" order in that same security, until that order is executed or withdrawn; or
2. when the same security is being actively considered by the investment adviser or investment sub-adviser for purchase or sale for any Client account. A purchase or sale of a security is being "actively considered" when a recommendation to purchase or sell has been made for a Client account and is pending.
B. DURING REOPTIMIZATIONS. No Advisory Person shall effect a Personal Securities Transaction (except for those in
shares of the Funds) when he or she knows or has reason to know that such Covered Security is under consideration for purchase or sale in a Client account:
1. from the time of dissemination of the output of any Harris investment model until the time of publication of the final list of pending transactions based upon the investment model; and
2. from the time of publication of the final list of pending transactions based upon the Harris investment model until seven calendar days after a Client account has completed its transactions in that security.
C. UPON ANALYST UPDATES. No Covered Person who is an analyst, with regard to any security the analyst follows, shall, without the approval of the appropriate Designated Reporting Person, purchase or sell any security within 30 calendar days before or seven calendar days after the analyst issues or publishes an update of any research notes, current comments, ratings changes, etc., concerning that security. Such analyst may not purchase or sell a security in a manner inconsistent with the recommendations made by the analyst in his or her most recent research report.
VIII. INTERESTED TRANSACTIONS
A. No Advisory Person shall knowingly recommend any securities transactions for the Funds without having disclosed his or her interest, if any, in such securities or the issuer thereof to a Designated Reporting Person, including without limitation:
1. Any Beneficial Ownership of any securities of such issuer;
2. Any contemplated transaction by such Advisory Person in any securities of such issuer;
3. Any official or unofficial position of the Advisory Person or Immediate Family Member of the Advisory Person with such issuer or its affiliates; and
4. Any present or proposed business relationship between such issuer or its affiliates and such Advisory Person or Immediate Family Member of the Advisory Person or any party in which such Advisory Person or Immediate Family Member of the Advisory Person has a significant interest.
B. In accordance with NASD Conduct Rule 2711 and NYSE Rule 472, no Covered Person who is an analyst may purchase or receive pre-IPO securities from a company engaged in the industry that the analyst covers.
IX. SPECIAL PRE-CLEARANCE PROCEDURES FOR INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERINGS
No Covered Person may knowingly acquire securities in an IPO unless:
a. Such transaction otherwise complies with all other provisions of this Code and NASD Rule 2790;
b. The Covered Person has no responsibility for any Client account that is authorized to invest in IPOs;
c. The Covered Person has submitted for review by the appropriate Designated Reporting Person full details of the proposed transaction (including written certification that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the Covered Person's activities on behalf of any Client account); and
d. The Designed Reporting Person has (i) concluded (after having reviewed the details supplied by the Covered Person, received the written certification, and consulted with other Harris investment advisory personnel) that no Client accounts have a foreseeable interest in purchasing such securities and (ii) granted approval.
X. SPECIAL PRE-CLEARANCE PROCEDURES FOR LIMITED OFFERINGS
No Covered Person shall knowingly acquire any securities in a Limited Offering unless:
a. Such transaction otherwise complies with all other provisions of this Code;
b. The Covered Person has submitted for review by the appropriate Designated Reporting Person full details of the proposed transaction (including written certification that the investment opportunity did not arise by virtue of the Covered Person's activities on behalf of any Client account); and
c. The Designed Reporting Person has (i) concluded (after having reviewed the details supplied by the Covered Person, received the written certification, and consulted with other Harris investment advisory personnel) that no Client accounts have a
foreseeable interest in purchasing such securities and (ii) granted approval.
XI. SHORT-TERM TRADING PROFITS
A. No Covered Person shall knowingly profit from the purchase and sale, or sale and purchase within a 60-day calendar period of the same (or equivalent) Working Lists Securities of which such Covered Person has Beneficial Ownership. Any profit so realized shall be paid over to a charitable organization of the Compliance Committee's choosing.
B. Notwithstanding the foregoing and provided that at least two Designated Reporting Persons (neither of which report to the other) approve any exception granted pursuant to this section, a Covered Person may be permitted to retain profits that result from a purchase or sale that occurs as a consequence of circumstances not foreseen at the time of the initial sale or purchase transaction, e.g., a "sale" pursuant to a tender offer for securities purchased without knowledge of the impending tender offer within 60 calendar days of the required tender date. The prohibition on short-term trading profits shall not apply to transactions effected to close out a pre-existing hedge position within 60 calendar days of the date on which such position was established.
XII. GIFTS
No Covered Person shall accept or provide a gift of more than de minimis value from or to any person or entity that does business with, or seeks to do business with, the Funds. For purposes of this prohibition, de minimis value is considered to be a value of $100 or less. . No Covered Person shall provide or accept any business or other entertainment that is in any way excessive or frequent. Any business or other entertainment shall only be permitted if the Covered Person shall be in attendance and it is for business purposes. All such business entertainment provided or accepted shall be reported as required to the Designated Reporting Person.
XIII. SERVICE AS A DIRECTOR
No Covered Person, other than an individual who is a Covered Person solely because such individual is a member of the board of directors of Monegy or HIM, shall serve on the board of directors of any publicly-traded company without prior written authorization from the Compliance Committee based upon a determination that such board service would be consistent with the interests of the Funds and their shareholders.
XIV. EXEMPT TRANSACTIONS
The prohibitions described in Sections VI.B. (Pre-Clearance), VII. (Blackout Periods), and XI. (Short-Term Trading Profits) shall not apply to:
a. Securities purchases or sales effected in any account over which the Covered Person has no direct or indirect influence or control;
b. Securities purchases or sales over which neither the Covered Person nor the Funds have control;
c. Purchases that are part of an automatic dividend reinvestment plan;
d. Purchases effected upon the exercise of rights issued by an issuer pro rata to all holders of a class of its securities, to the extent such rights were acquired from the issuer, and sales of such rights so acquired;
e. Cumulative purchases or cumulative sales (but not both a purchase and a sale) within a seven-day period of up to 200 shares of securities issued by any company with a market capitalization in excess of $1 billion. (See Section XV.A.5. for special reporting provisions for these kinds of transactions);
f. Subject to the advance written approval which shall be retained, by the appropriate Designated Reporting Person, purchases or sales which are permissible in the opinion of the appropriate Designated Reporting Person if he or she determines after appropriate inquiry that the transaction is consistent with the fiduciary duty owed to Clients and is not potentially harmful to Clients because: (i) it does not conflict with any known pending or contemplated securities transaction for any current Client and (ii) the decision to purchase or sell the security is not the result of information obtained in the course of the subject person's relationship with a Client or Harris; or
g. Transactions in options on a securities index and transactions in exchange-traded, synthetic index securities or funds (ETFs), e.g., SPDRs and Webs.
XV. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
A. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL HOLDINGS, TRANSACTIONS, AND ACCOUNTS
1. INITIAL HOLDINGS REPORTS. No later than 10 business days after becoming a Covered Person, such person shall disclose holdings of Covered Securities in which the Covered Person has Beneficial Ownership to the appropriate Designated Reporting Person in a report containing the following information (which information must be current as of a date no more than 45 calendar days prior to the date the person becomes a Covered Person):
a. The name of the Covered Person;
b. The title and type of security, the ticker symbol or CUSIP number (as applicable), number of shares and principal amount of each security;
c. The name of any broker, dealer, or bank with whom the Covered Person maintains an account; and
d. The date that the report is submitted by the Covered Person.
2. ANNUAL HOLDINGS REPORTS. Each Covered Person shall submit to the appropriate Designated Reporting Person no later than February 1 of each year an annual report of holdings of Covered Securities in which the Covered Person has Beneficial Ownership current as of a date no more than 45 calendar days before the annual report is submitted, with the following information:
a. The name of the Covered Person;
b. The title and type of security, the ticker symbol or CUSIP number (as applicable), number of shares and principal amount of each security;
c. The name of any broker, dealer, or bank with whom the Covered Person maintains an account; and
d. The date that the report is submitted by the Covered Person.
3. QUARTERLY TRANSACTION REPORTS. Each Covered Person must submit to the appropriate Designated Reporting Person a quarterly transaction report no later than 30 calendar days after the end of any calendar quarter in which occurred all Personal Securities Transactions in a Covered Security and all accounts in which the Covered Person had any Beneficial Ownership
(unless the "Exceptions from Reporting Requirements" below apply). The quarterly report must contain the following information:
a. The name of the Covered Person;
b. The date of the transaction, the title and type of security, the tickler symbol or CUSIP member (as applicable), interest rate and maturity date (if applicable), the number of shares, and the principal amount of each security;
c. The nature of the transaction (i.e., purchase, sale, gift, or any other acquisition or disposition);
d. The price at which the transaction was effected;
e. The name of the broker, dealer or bank with or through which the transaction was effected and, for new accounts, the date the account was established; and
f. The date that the report is submitted by the Covered Person.
4. The Designated Reporting Person shall review the initial and annual holding reports and the quarterly transaction reports and monitor the trading patterns of Covered Persons and, as appropriate, compare the reports with the written pre-clearance authorization provided and with records of transactions for Clients.
5. Any Advisory Person who, at the time of an reoptimization of an investment model used by Harris (i.e., from the time of security selection to execution under the model), has engaged in any transaction in a Covered Security, which transaction is not required to be pre-cleared pursuant to the exclusion provided by Section XIV.e. (exemption for under 200 shares and $1 billion in market capitalization) and has not yet been reported in a quarterly report pursuant to this Section, shall provide a written report of the transaction to the appropriate Designated Reporting Person or respective chief compliance officer, disclosing the information required under Section A.3. above.
6. Any report submitted pursuant to this Section may contain a statement that the report shall not be construed as an admission by the Covered Person that such person has in fact any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership in the securities to which the report relates.
B. EXCEPTIONS FROM REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
1. No report shall be required with respect to transactions for, and Covered Securities held in, accounts over which the Covered Person had no direct or indirect influence or control, but the granting by a Covered Person of investment discretion to another person shall not be considered a lack of control by the Covered Person.
2. No quarterly transaction report shall be required if such report would duplicate information contained in broker trade confirmations or account statements received by the appropriate Designated Reporting Person if that Designated Person receives the confirmation or statement within 30 calendar days of the end of the applicable calendar quarter and provided that all of the required information is contained in the broker trade confirmations or account statements, or the records of the Funds or Harris. However, each Covered Person shall either confirm the accuracy of, or correct any error in, the quarterly transactions list provided to the Covered Person by the Designated Reporting Persons.
3. No report shall be required for transactions effected pursuant to an Automatic Investment Plan.
C. DELIVERY OF CODE AND CERTIFICATION OF COMPLIANCE
1. The Bank, Monegy and HIM, through their chief compliance officers, are each responsible for notifying their Covered Persons of their status and obligations under this Code and for providing to each of those individuals a copy of this Code and copies of amendments from time to time.
2. Each Covered Person shall certify annually that he or she has read and understood this Code and recognizes that he or she is subject to such Code. Further, each Covered Person shall certify annually that he or she has complied with all the requirements of the Code and that he or she has disclosed or reported all Personal Securities Transactions required to be disclosed or reported pursuant to the requirements of the Code.
3. Upon any amendment of the Code, each Covered Person shall provide similar certifications. A form of certification is attached to this Code as Attachment D.
D. REPORTS TO THE FUNDS' BOARD
1. At least quarterly the Bank, HIM, and Monegy shall provide a written report at a regular meeting of a
Funds' board that describes any issues arising under this Code since the last report to the Funds' board, including, but not limited to, information about material violations of the Code and sanctions imposed in response to such material violations.
2. At least annually, the Bank, HIM, and Monegy shall certify that they have adopted procedures reasonably necessary to prevent Covered Persons from violating the Code.
3. HIM, Monegy, and the Bank shall require their respective chief compliance officers or designees to report quarterly to the Funds' boards any material breach of fiduciary duty and/or the Federal Securities Laws of which the respective chief compliance officer becomes aware in the course of carrying out his or her duties.
E. REVIEW BY THE FUNDS' BOARD
At least annually and, in any case, within six months of adopting any material change to this Code, the Bank, HIM, and Monegy shall report to the Board of the Funds and submit for approval any recommended or previously adopted changes to this Code.
F. REVIEW PROCEDURES
Harris shall institute and periodically review procedures (1) reasonably necessary to prevent violations of this Code and (2) pursuant to which appropriate management or compliance personnel review all reports required by this Code.
XVI. SANCTIONS
Upon discovering that a Covered Person has not complied with the requirements of this Code, a Designated Reporting Person shall submit written findings to the Compliance Committee. The Compliance Committee may impose on that Covered Person sanctions the Compliance Committee deems appropriate, including, among other things, the unwinding of the transaction and the disgorgement of profits, suspension or termination of employment, or removal from office.
XVII. RECORDKEEPING
A. Harris shall maintain as records:
1. This Code and any prior code in effect during the five years preceding the date of this Code.
2. A record of any violation of this Code, and of any action taken as a result of the violation.
3. A record of all written acknowledgements provided pursuant to Section II. for each person who is or was within the last six years, a Covered Person.
4. A copy of each report made by a Covered Person required by this Code, including any information pursuant to Section XV.B.2 in lieu of the quarterly reports otherwise required by this Code.
5. A record of all persons, currently or within the past five years, who are or were Covered Persons and who are or were responsible for reviewing the reports required in Section XV.
6. A copy of each report required by Section XV.D. of this Code.
7. A record of any decision, and the reasons supporting
the decision, to approve the acquisition by Advisory
Persons of securities under Sections IX., X., XI.,
XIV., and all other provisions granting an exception
under this Code.
8. Any written report prepared by the Bank, HIM or Monegy concerning the subject matter of this Code.
B. Unless otherwise required, all records maintained pursuant to this section shall be retained for six years in an easily accessible place, the first two years in an appropriate office.
XVIII. CONFIDENTIALITY
All information obtained from any Covered Person hereunder shall be kept in strict confidence, except that reports of securities transactions hereunder may be made available, to the extent required by law, to the Securities and Exchange Commission, any other regulator, any self-regulatory organization, or the Funds' boards.
XIX. WHISTLEBLOWING
A. Each Covered Person shall report any known or reasonably suspected violation of this Code to his or her respective Designated Reporting Person, to the appropriate Fund's chief compliance officer, to the Law Department of the Bank, or to the Bank's chief compliance officer, provided, however, that any report by a Covered Person of HIM or Monegy shall also be provided to the chief compliance officer of HIM or Monegy, respectively.
B. HIM, Monegy, the Harris Insight Funds' chief compliance officer, and the Bank collectively shall designate one or more corporate ombudsmen to whom Covered Persons whose
work relates to the Funds may convey concerns about Fund-related business matters that they believe implicate matters of ethics or questionable practices.
C. HIM, Monegy, the Harris Insight Funds' chief compliance officer, and the Bank collectively shall establish procedures to investigate matters brought to the attention of the corporate ombudsman.
D. HIM, Monegy, the appropriate Fund's chief compliance officer, and the Bank shall report matters brought to the attention of the ombudsman, along with any resolution of such matters, to the board of the appropriate Fund with such frequency as the board may instruct, but no less frequently than quarterly.
XX. OTHER LAWS, RULE AND STATEMENTS OF POLICY
Nothing contained in this Code shall be interpreted as relieving any Covered Person from acting in accordance with the provision of any applicable law, rule, regulation, or any other statement of policy or procedure governing the conduct of such person adopted by Harris or the Funds.
XXI. FURTHER INFORMATION
If any person has any questions with regard to the applicability of the provisions of this Code generally or with regard to any securities transaction or transactions such person should consult the appropriate Designated Reporting Person.
ATTACHMENT A
Porftolio Persons of
Harris N.A.
Harris Investment Management, Inc.,
and
HIM Monegy, Inc.
as of _________________________
ATTACHMENT B
Advisory Persons of
Harris N.A.
Harris Investment Management, Inc.,
and
HIM Monegy, Inc.
as of _________________________
ATTACHMENT C-1
Covered Persons of
Harris Investment Management, Inc.,
and HIM Monegy, Inc.
as of _________________________
ATTACHMENT C-2
Covered Persons of
Harris N.A.
as of ______________________
ATTACHMENT D
HARRIS N.A.
THE HARRIS BANK N.A.
HARRIS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC.
HIM MONEGY, INC.
STANDARDS OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND
CODE OF ETHICS FOR INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND
MUTUAL FUND MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
Certification
Pursuant to the requirements of the Standards of Business Conduct and Code of Ethics for Investment Advisory and Mutual Fund Management Personnel of Harris N.A., Harris Investment Management, Inc., and HIM Monegy, Inc. ("Code"), the undersigned hereby certifies as follows:
1. I have read the Code.
2. I understand the Code and acknowledge that I am subject to it.
3. Since the date of the last Certification (if any) given pursuant to the Code, to the best of my knowledge I have complied with all the requirements of the Code and have disclosed or reported all personal securities transactions required to be reported under the requirements of the Code.
Date: ____________________________
Signature
____________________________
Print Name
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EXHIBIT q
POWER OF ATTORNEY
POWER OF ATTORNEY
I, the undersigned member of the Board of Trustees of the below-named mutual funds, hereby constitute and appoint Daniel T. Geraci, Tracy L. Rich and Kevin J. Carr, or either of them as my true and lawful attorneys and agents with full power to sign for me in the capacity indicated below, any or all Registration Statements, amendments thereto, including without limitation a Registration Statement on Form N-14, and such other filings as may be appropriate, with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and/or the Investment Company Act of 1940 relating to each of said mutual funds, and hereby ratify and confirm my signature as it may be signed by said attorneys and agents.
PHOENIX ADVISER TRUST
PHOENIX CA TAX-EXEMPT BOND FUND
PHOENIX-ENGEMANN FUNDS (TO BE KNOWN AS PHOENIX INVESTMENT TRUST 06)
PHOENIX EQUITY SERIES FUND
PHOENIX EQUITY TRUST
PHOENIX INSTITUTIONAL MUTUAL FUNDS
PHOENIX INVESTMENT SERIES FUND
PHOENIX INVESTMENT TRUST 97
PHOENIX-KAYNE FUNDS (TO BE KNOWN AS PHOENIX ASSET TRUST)
PHOENIX MULTI-PORTFOLIO FUND
PHOENIX MULTI-SERIES TRUST
PHOENIX OPPORTUNITIES TRUST
PHOENIX PHOLIOS(SM)
PHOENIX PORTFOLIOS
PHOENIX SERIES FUND
PHOENIX STRATEGIC EQUITY SERIES FUND
I hereby declare that a photostatic, xerographic or other similar copy of this original instrument shall be as effective as the original.
I hereby further revoke any and all powers of attorney previously given by me with respect to the above-named mutual funds, provided that this revocation shall not affect the exercise of such powers prior to the date hereof.
WITNESS my hand and seal on this __17th__ day of ___May___, 2006.
/s/ E. Virgil Conway /s/ Harry Dalzell-Payne --------------------------------- ---------------------------------- E. Virgil Conway, Trustee Harry Dalzell-Payne, Trustee /s/ Francis E. Jeffries /s/ Dr. Leroy Keith, Jr. --------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Francis E. Jeffries, Trustee Dr. Leroy Keith, Jr., Trustee /s/ Marilyn E. LaMarche /s/ Philip R. McLoughlin --------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Marilyn E. LaMarche, Trustee Philip R. McLoughlin, Trustee /s/ Geraldine M. McNamara /s/ James M. Oates --------------------------------- ---------------------------------- Geraldine M. McNamara, Trustee James M. Oates, Trustee /s/ Richard E. Segerson --------------------------------- Richard E. Segerson, Trustee |